Skip advert
Advertisement

Suzuki Jimny SUV (1998-2018) - Practicality & boot space

The Suzuki Jimny’s boot is tiny and the rear seats are cramped

Carbuyer Rating

2.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Practicality & boot space Rating

2.0 out of 5

The Suzuki Jimny is about as compact as 4x4s get. It’s 3,675mm long, 1,645mm wide and 1,705mm tall. That makes it very similar in length and width to a Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross (which is essentially a hatchback rather than an SUV and puts the Jimny’s size into a bit more context), although the Suzuki is still taller.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The advantage of such a compact 4x4 is that it’s easy to park. Don’t expect anything in the way of parking aids as standard, but Suzuki will sell you some aftermarket rear parking sensors, which you can have fitted for £261 or buy minus the fitting charge for £195.

Suzuki Jimny interior space & storage

There's a reasonable amount of room up front, but legroom is tight and the back seats are very cramped indeed, with only just enough space for children. Ultimately, the Jimny works best as a rugged two-seater with the rear seats folded down for extra boot space. There’s also a lack of storage inside, with only a lockable glove compartment and two cup-holders, although you do get ISOFIX child-seat mounts in the back.

Boot space

The Jimny’s 113-litre boot is very small and easily beaten by rivals’ luggage room. Even smaller hatchbacks such as the Fiat Panda can top it, even though that car’s 225-litre capacity is itself not much to write home about. Fold the Suzuki’s rear seats down and you get 816 litres of room, which is still small for a full load area. There’s also a big ridge in the middle of the floor, which makes loading heavy objects difficult. On the plus size, you do get a full-size spare wheel, which is housed inside the big, round cover on the outside of the boot door.

Towing

A car with a small petrol engine like the Jimny isn’t the ideal choice for towing heavy loads – vehicles with larger engines and diesels usually make more sense. That said, the Suzuki’s utilitarian nature means it’s likely to be put to work with such duties – just make sure you don’t go over its 1,300kg braked-trailer limit.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?
Polestar 4 Prototype drive front quarter
News
22 Mar 2024

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024