Review
/5
- Pros:
- Affordable and cheap to run
- Capable off-road
- Tough cabin
- Cons:
- Outdated
- Uncomfortable over long distances
- Cramped cabin
pictured: Suzuki Jimny sports utility vehicle 2005 3 door 4wd
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Cheap, cheerful and tough, the Suzuki Jimny is one of the UK's best value 4x4s.”
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1.3 SZ4 3dr
£12,900 - The cheapest
- 1.3 SZ3 3dr
£11,995 - The fastest
- 1.3 SZ4 3dr
£12,900 - Top of the range
- 1.3 SZ4 Auto 3dr
£13,800
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If you need a cheap and cheerful 4x4 that's robust and capable off-road, then the Suzuki Jimny is a compelling choice. It's compact, durable and its four-wheel drive and low-ratio gearbox (specifically designed for off-road driving) make it very competent in the mud. The downside is that it's quite dated. The Jimny has been in production since 1998 and it shows, as on-road comfort, engine performance and interior space are sorely lacking. In short, most modern rivals, like the Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross, do a far better job.
Drive
The engine is underpowered and the car is very slow
Only one engine is available - but the 1.3-litre, petrol powered offering is very slow. It only has 84bhp, which means that the manual version takes 14.1 seconds to reach 62mph, while the automatic is even more lethargic at 17.2 seconds - making it one of the UK's slowest accelerating new cars. Body roll is very noticeable in bends and grip is limited. The flipside is that it's very good if you need to venture off-road - the four-wheel drive system makes the Suzuki a capable performer over rough ground.
Comfort
Firm suspension is bouncy on rough roads
The ride is rather bouncy on the road and there is a lot of engine, wind and road noise. The 1.3-litre engine needs to be worked hard to get anywhere, making a real racket, too. Legroom is very tight for rear passengers, so the Jimny can be quite uncomfortable on long journeys.
Reliability
The Jimny is tough and well made
Euro NCAP hasn't crash tested the Jimny, but standard safety equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, side impact protection and an immobiliser. The Jimny didn't feature in the 2010 Driver Power survey, but Suzuki finished 25th out of 27 manufacturers in the JD Power survey, which suggests that the firm has work to do, improving the overall appeal of its cars. That said, the Jimny is tough and well put together, even though it doesn't exude quality.
Practicality
The boot's tiny, and rear seats are cramped
The boot is miniscule at 113 litres. Fold down the rear seats and there are 286 litres on offer, which still isn't much, but it's an improvement and the rear seats split and fold for convenience. Space for front seat passengers isn't bad, but those in the back have very little room. The Jimny works best when used as a two-seater with the rear seats folded down.
Value for money
The Jimny defines cheap and cheerful.
This is certainly the Suzuki's strong point, as it's extremely cheap. It may be outdated, but very few 4x4s are available at this price range - especially ones that are any good off-road. Residual values aren't great, but that matters less when prices are so low in the first place. It really does define cheap and cheerful.
Running costs
It's engine is thirsty and CO2 emissions are high
Next to the raft of modern and efficient small 4x4s on the market the Jimny doesn't look great, but it's not bad for a 12-year-old car. Expect 39.2mpg and 171g/km from the manual model, which means that annual road tax costs £180 per year. The automatic version is pricier to run with 37.2mpg and emissions of 181g/km, so the tax disc costs another £20.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
