Presentation and test drive Suzuki Jimny 2019: a pure off-roader true to its principles

We live in an automotive world where SUVs and crossovers are gradually taking over the market, sidelining other segments such as MPVs or traditional off-roaders. However, there are still some stubborn brands today that bet on vehicles willing to break the mould and go against the grain, such as Suzuki. The Japanese brand has brought to life the fourth generation of the Jimny, a small, pure and hardcore off-roader that arrives with a very rebellious attitude, eager to shake up the segment and, above all, to keep offering off-road capabilities that take your breath away, something we wanted to check first-hand.

We travelled to the Spanish capital to get an exclusive first look at the new Suzuki Jimny, a true brave soul that has said “no” to fashions to follow its own path, full of personality and plenty of fun behind the wheel. With this fourth generation now on the market, the Japanese brand has wanted to offer us a vehicle true to its principles and capable of delivering pure, solid off-road abilities, ready to take us across any harsh terrain.

A design rooted in the past but with current touches

Suzuki has always stood out for including in its range a off-roader able to tackle any kind of obstacle, and in this latest chapter for the brand it is the new Jimny that takes on that role. However, this new generation of the Japanese 4×4 stands out not only for its capabilities off the asphalt, but also for its well-judged design that combines a retro spirit with modern features.

This curious and successful combination has quickly managed to awaken a strong charm towards the new Jimny, and to which we have surrendered. The first thing that catches our eye is its front end, which features genuinely attractive rectangular shapes reminiscent of the off-roaders of yesteryear. The brand has wanted to accentuate this effect Suzuki with the option of choosing between two different grilles: one with the already characteristic vertical lines and the brand’s logo in the centre; and another more traditional one, rooted in the first generations of this model, which shows a clean front on which the word “Suzuki” is inscribed with no additional embellishments.

The side profile of the new Jimny continues this retro aesthetic made up of square lines, and its small dimensions of 3.48 metres in length -3.65 including the spare wheel-, 1.64 in width and 1.73 in height make it one of the most compact off-roaders on the market. Moving towards the rear, we still see a design typical of the purest off-roaders, where a side-hinged door and a spare wheel are integrated into it, alongside a rough, rugged bumper that hints at the clear rustic spirit of the new Suzuki Jimny.

A modern cabin ready to get covered in mud

Suzuki has wanted to embrace the latest innovations and technologies, which have been applied to the new Jimny without breaking its charismatic spirit. The Japanese off-roader features a fresh, up-to-date interior that nonetheless keeps intact the off-road character its exterior also conveys. On the one hand, we can see countless innovations that seek to bring the Jimny in line with the standards used in contemporary vehicles.

The steering wheel of the new Japanese off-roader receives a significant update, where we notice not only a finer and more elegant design, but also a button cluster focused on controlling different functions of the infotainment system. Above it sit two analogue dials, which are mounted on two square brackets that further reinforce the retro character of the new Jimny. Between them, a digital screen provides us with a wealth of data related to the vehicle’s consumption and status in a simple and useful way.

But it is in the centre console where we can see one of the most significant changes, a new 7″ touchscreen. This is responsible for housing the infotainment system, which features software that is simple to use but somewhat slow to respond, a drawback offset by the option of connecting our smartphone via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. At the same time, navigation and Bluetooth are also present in the new Jimny, two systems that will make life on board the Japanese off-roader easier.

It is true that many elements are finished in plastic within this new generation of the Jimny, but this does not mean it is a negative point. The Japanese brand has managed to deliver good fit and finish in the interior of its new off-roader, aiming to offer durable, easy-to-clean components, since the Jimny is conceived to spend much of its life off the asphalt.

With this premise, the use of hard plastic is a better alternative to leather, as it fits perfectly with the more rustic philosophy of the Suzuki and allows, as we have already mentioned, quicker and simpler cleaning once we finish our off-road excursion. However, the presence of this material does not detract from the quality of the new Jimny, as we find other features that enhance the overall vehicle, such as heated seats and air conditioning.

Interior space in the Suzuki Jimny is what you would expect from a vehicle barely over three metres long: there are two generous front seats and rear seats somewhat restricted by knee room, yet they will comfortably carry four occupants. As for the boot, it offers a cargo capacity of 83 litres, a figure that at first sounds small, but rapidly grows to 377 litres when the seats are folded down, which provide a completely flat floor with a plastic surface that makes it easier to wipe away mud and dirt.

Time to head off the asphalt

It is true that the priority would be to address how the new Suzuki Jimny behaves on the road, but its clear off-road character obliges me to analyse what it is like to drive the Japanese off-roader when the tarmac disappears. The brand prepared two routes designed exclusively to test the Jimny’s capabilities when conditions get tough, and it came through with flying colours at all times, showing not the slightest sign of fatigue.

Suzuki knows what it is doing when it comes to developing a pure, hardcore off-roader, and the proof is in how it handled numerous obstacles with the little Jimny. The first route was a short but intense slalom full of different tracks that the Japanese off-roader had to negotiate. Among them was a steep incline designed to show us how both hill descent control and hill hold work, which help make climbing and descending very steep slopes easier.

This system never showed much intrusion, since its operation is permissive and merely serves to make the manoeuvre simpler to perform. The various dips and inclines along the Jimny’s path served to test its ladder frame chassis and coil springs. As expected, the Suzuki off-roader successfully overcame every single adversity present, but it was time to head into the countryside, where problems are not so easy to anticipate.

The route proposed by Suzuki suited the new Jimny perfectly, a model that has proven capable of moving with total ease in the most complex situations. Potholes, ditches, changes in grip, river crossings and loose earth were the challenges offered by this daring trek through the mountains, a route not designed for just any vehicle. One of the main novelties of this fourth generation of the Jimny is the return of the traditional lever-operated transfer case, which is presented as an essential element for off-road driving.

The new Suzuki Jimny features three driving modes: 2H or rear-wheel drive for driving on tarmac; 4H, full-time four-wheel drive; and 4L, four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. Once I left the road in the new Jimny I selected 4H mode, which provides greater traction and consistent grip regardless of the surface we are driving on. During the first metres, full of ruts and varying gradients, the Japanese off-roader showed no resistance or loss of traction, as it successfully overcame every problem, but it was when I engaged the low-range gearing that the situation became truly fun.

With full-time four-wheel drive still engaged and more torque delivered to the wheels with grip, the Suzuki Jimny further reaffirmed its undeniable status as an off-roader. Its success in heading into the countryside is also thanks to the ladder frame chassis with cross members that it features, a more classic but effective structure, which has once again proven its worth, being included in the heart of the fourth-generation Suzuki off-roader.

At the same time, crossed bars and a new “X” brace add the finishing touches to the exquisite off-road setup -and one in danger of extinction- that the new Jimny presents. The three rigid mounts with coil springs also do their job, allowing the Japanese off-roader to keep moving at all times even when one of the wheels is not making full contact with the ground, something also made possible by its ground clearance of 21 cm and its approach, departure and breakover angles: 37º approach, 28º breakover and 49º departure.

Is it good on the road, though?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when facing a vehicle with a clearly mechanical design focused on off-roading,

and it must be applied to the new Suzuki Jimny. Over several kilometres of motorway, we can discover another side of this appealing off-roader, which seeks to offer a more refined and smoother ride than in previous models.

At first, we find a steering that is imprecise and heavily geared, making it difficult to know exactly what is happening on the road. To this we must add its height, which is very comfortable for seeing over other cars, but which hampers the aerodynamics of the new Jimny, causing body roll.

It is true that ride comfort is notable despite its chassis and suspension being designed to tackle the countryside, but a slight and constant wind noise appears when we drive at high speeds. However, its comfortable seats and the presence of numerous driver assistance systems such as traffic sign recognition, lane keeping assist or driver fatigue detection help sweeten the experience on board the new Jimny.

On the other hand, I must praise its engine, not only for being a rebel that goes against trends, but also for its excellent performance. The new Suzuki Jimny features a naturally aspirated four-cylinder 1.5-litre heart, capable of producing 102 CV and 130 Nm of torque. It is true that these figures are not extraordinary, but thanks to the low kerb weight the off-roader declares on the scale -1,090 kilograms- and the lively character of its powerplant, we get a genuinely engaging drive.

Reaching 120 km/h is no problem for the new Jimny, and at no point will we miss the presence of a turbocharging system. At the same time, this engine will be the only one available to motivate the Suzuki Jimny, and it can be paired with an automatic transmission with torque converter and four speeds or with a 5-speed manual, the latter being the one I was able to try. It offers a direct and smooth feel, with somewhat long throws but which never make it difficult to select the right gear, though a sixth gear is missed to relax the engine and make for a more leisurely motorway drive.

Conclusion

The new Suzuki Jimny arrives in an automotive world dominated by SUVs and where vehicles built in the old-fashioned way are scarce,

as is the case with the latest creation from the Japanese brand. With its attractive looks and pure 4×4 nature, the Jimny arrives to break all the rules and offer enthusiasts of off-roading the option they have been waiting for.

With a starting price of 17,000 euros, the Jimny arrives to occupy a niche of its own, as there is no competitor with similar off-road capabilities within the price bracket in which the Suzuki off-roader sits.

At the same time, its good set-up for tackling the harshest terrain means it can get out of any situation without major difficulties and, although it may not be the best companion for long journeys, it can hold its own when the asphalt becomes the surface of choice. In this way, Suzuki has returned stronger than ever, with a vehicle destined to succeed and in high demand, which will force Jimny lovers to be patient until they can get their hands on one of their own.