Steer clear of the Suzuki Jimny unless… – Test Drive
For this writer, the Suzuki Jimny is an inherently unique vehicle. Its extremely angular and boxy body makes it look rugged, yet with smaller dimensions compared to the Perodua Axia, it also appears rather cute at the same time.
Not only that, its relatively high ride, wide fenders, and rear-mounted spare tyre indicate that the Jimny is ready to tackle any terrain, anytime. However, is the price tag of RM158,900 justified by what it offers?
If you compare it with other vehicles in that price range, the answer is a big NO as for that price, you can land yourself a much larger, more practical vehicle equipped with more modern technology.
But if you look at what the Jimny can actually do, you might change your mind. As aferomentioned, it was conceived to be driven on rugged paths, even rocky or muddy roads. The Jimny, from then until now, is a true off-roader.
There are many factors contributing to Jimny’s off-road prowess. First and foremost, like most pickup trucks on the market, the Jimny is built on a ladder frame construction that is tougher and more suitable for off-road driving.
The frame is paired with front and rear rigid axles, which is simpler in construction but more robust in nature. It also offers better grip in rough conditions by pressing the other wheel down when the other tyre is being pushed up by an obstacle.
Of course, a true off-roader is not a true off-roader without a four-wheel drive system with a low range transfer case that allows you to crawl out of challenging situations easily.
Not all Jimny owners will use this feature, but at least they will feel more confident knowing that their vehicle is equipped with one.
Yes, the Jimny has it all if you are an outdoorsman who goes out camping in Janda Baik every now and then, but is it the perfect fit for city dwellers?
This writer can’t stress this enough but the Jimny is a tiny SUV, so don’t expect practicality to be one of its strengths like other SUVs on the market.
The cabin is cramped and if you and your passenger are considered ‘large’ (not to body shame, mind you!), rubbing shoulders is a common occurrence in the Jimny. Thankfully, the narrow interior is offset by the tall roof so you don’t feel like sitting in a literal sardine can.
In the rear, there are two seats but as expected, they seem more suitable for children. If the seats are in the normal position, you have virtually no space to put items such as luggage or a stroller.
So if you plan on going on a weekend trip, for instance, you have no choice but to fold the rear seats flat or add a roof rack. Without the latter, you only have space for one rear passenger or none at all, depending on how much luggage you bring.
With a 1.5-litre NA engine making only 100 hp and 130 Nm, you might think that the Jimny will struggle when driven with a full load. It’s not fast, but based on this writer’s experience, the Jimny was more than willing to climb hilly roads like the Karak Highway and Genting Highlands road—provided you don’t push it too hard.
This writer found the most ideal speed for the Jimny to be 110 km/h maximum. As soon as the speedometer needle exceeds that figure, it will start to feel unsettled. With its soft suspension and a rather numb steering, this is not a vehicle you want to use to carve tight corners.
On normal roads, the Jimny is comfortable, but with the ladder frame, the entire cabin will shake quite violently if you hit a pothole. The NVH level is satisfactory, which is somewhat surprising for an old-school vehicle like this, but it should be noted that it was driven at speeds below 100 km/h most of the time.
The Jimny is old school in spirit but it is young at heart, meaning it comes with some modern features to attract younger customers.
These include automatic LED headlights, a seven-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, a reverse camera, Cruise Control, and audio control buttons on the steering wheel.
As for the safety front, it is equipped with ABS, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Assist, Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control, ISOFIX, and two airbags. Basic but should be enough for most users, this writer reckons.
However, aside from the mentioned features, the Jimny has virtually zero premium features. Every surface, except for the leather-wrapped steering wheel, is hard plastic, while the seats are upholstered in fabric and can only be adjusted manually.
Alternatively, there is the Jimny Black Edition that offers leather upholstery and various other accessories, but you need to fork out an additional RM13,000. There is also the more stylish Jimny Rhino, but it is RM16,000 dearer than the standard variant.
Going back to the earlier question, is the Jimny worth the money? If you’re someone who loves the great outdoors and is in the market for a vehicle that is not only rugged but also iconic, the Jimny is as a sensible choice if you can get over the somewhat high price.
But if practicality, comfort, and luxury are on top of your list, steer clear of the Jimny because there are many other vehicles on the market that are more well suited to your needs.
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Suzuki Jimny AllGrip Specifications
Price: RM158,900 (OTR without insurance)
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder VVT
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Power: 100 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 130 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
