What We Like
Striking good looks
Not your regular compact SUV for the regular drivers
High quality plastics and premium safety features
Provides a characterful driving experience
What We Dislike
Kinetic Yellow doesn't enhance the car's macho traits
It's not for the family man due to the lack of space
The all new Suzuki Jimny that you're staring at this very page is flawed in so many ways that I do not even know where to begin. And don't even get me started on the colour. Why the brand decided to fit this macho car with such a funky colour is beyond me, even if some may say it's a favourite.
It's a Jimny for crying out loud, not a Swift. A car like this one here is best fitted with a darker shade of colour - like black, or silver or even dark green - all of which are available as standard on the new model.
Yellow may be a striking one, but the off-roader may have been better off with a darker shade of colourBut you know what? Despite all that, I absolutely adore this car.
Make up your fickle mind, will you?
With this compact SUV, you simply cannot wipe the smile off your face when you drive it. It bears a resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and even the iconic Land Rover Defender, albeit in a more compact form.
Of course, if this offends you, there are many other options out there such as the Honda HR-V, the Kia Stonic, the Mazda CX-3 and the Toyota C-HR, that will otherwise complement your lifestyle.
85 litres (left) of boot space can be expanded to 830 litres with the rear seats foldedBut it would be wrong to compare these cars with the Jimny. There are many reasons why this car is be a better choice than the rest of the off-roaders on sale here in Singapore.
Go on, I'm listening
For starters, at $100,900 (as of 18 July 2019), the Suzuki is one quarter the price of the G-Class when it was still available for sale by Merc's authorised dealer Cycle & Carriage.
Secondly, measuring 3,480mm long, 1,645mm wide and 1,725 tall, the Jimny has a shorter length and width compared to the already compact Toyota C-HR. It may be taller, but as all off-roaders are, this should come as no surprise. This makes driving through narrower roads as well as parallel parking a cinch.
1.5-litre engine pumps out 100bhp and 130Nm of torque to all four wheelsThirdly, given its disposition as a Japanese carmaker, the Suzuki Jimny should be more affordable than its off-roading peers when it comes to running as well as maintenance costs. And it runs on passenger plates (unlike the Defender), which means venturing off-roads across the border isn't going to be a problem.
And when it comes to car buying decision, these are factors that should not be neglected, whether you have a couple of millions of dollars in your bank or not.
Lastly, and perhaps the most important of all, it's the sort of car that portrays you as someone who's not only humble but also the sort of driver who knows how to appreciate quality over quantity.
What do you mean quality over quantity?
On the inside, the fourth generation Jimny is furnished with solid black plastics with angular shapes that are held together with screws, enhancing the car's machismo personality. While many will argue about its dullness, its vault-like high-quality cockpit looks and feels like it'll last for at least 20 years.
It's a Jimny for crying out loud, not a Swift. A car like this one here is best fitted with a darker shade of colour - like black, or silver or even dark green - all of which are available as standard on the new model.
Make up your fickle mind, will you?
With this compact SUV, you simply cannot wipe the smile off your face when you drive it. It bears a resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and even the iconic Land Rover Defender, albeit in a more compact form.
Of course, if this offends you, there are many other options out there such as the Honda HR-V, the Kia Stonic, the Mazda CX-3 and the Toyota C-HR, that will otherwise complement your lifestyle.
Go on, I'm listening
For starters, at $100,900 (as of 18 July 2019), the Suzuki is one quarter the price of the G-Class when it was still available for sale by Merc's authorised dealer Cycle & Carriage.
Secondly, measuring 3,480mm long, 1,645mm wide and 1,725 tall, the Jimny has a shorter length and width compared to the already compact Toyota C-HR. It may be taller, but as all off-roaders are, this should come as no surprise. This makes driving through narrower roads as well as parallel parking a cinch.
And when it comes to car buying decision, these are factors that should not be neglected, whether you have a couple of millions of dollars in your bank or not.
Lastly, and perhaps the most important of all, it's the sort of car that portrays you as someone who's not only humble but also the sort of driver who knows how to appreciate quality over quantity.
What do you mean quality over quantity?
On the inside, the fourth generation Jimny is furnished with solid black plastics with angular shapes that are held together with screws, enhancing the car's machismo personality. While many will argue about its dullness, its vault-like high-quality cockpit looks and feels like it'll last for at least 20 years.
More impressively, the car comes with a myriad of advanced safety features such as Lane Departure Warning, Electronic Stability Programme, Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist Function, Hill Descent Control, etc.
Cabin looks and feels like it'll last for decades, thanks to high-quality plasticsYou'll have to bear in mind that these are safety features that are on par with those that you will find on premium carmakers.
It works like a charm
Thus, it does come as a slight surprise that the off-roader's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated powerplant is paired to a 'less premium' four-speed automatic gearbox.
That said, the Jimny doesn't struggle to get up to speed. Thanks to its rev-happy nature, it manages to keep up with the pack on the first lane of our highways without much fuss. Get past the 100km/h mark and external noises will start to intrude the cabin.
Car comes with several premium safety featuresActivate the low-range gearbox and venture off-road and the car impresses just as much. I only managed to take the car out to large areas of fields and on and off curbs, but in Singapore's context, that's already doing a lot. Driving it across the border would have given the car justice, but that would be another story for another time.
Sounds like a charm, alright
Jumping from a compact SUV or a hatchback to something like the Suzuki Jimny might come as a shock to you, and probably your passengers. Not only does it wobble and squeal around bends, it'll send controlled amounts of vibrations to the cabin over bumps and ruts.
As with all true blue off-roaders, the Jimny comes with a low-range gearboxHowever, therein lies the car's charm. It's not meant to be a regular SUV or hatchback, neither is it meant for regular drivers who prioritises passengers over possessions. During my four-day test drive, I only had the chance to ferry one occupant. One rear seat was occupied with a baby bench and the other was knocked down to haul a stroller and some bags.
But you know what? Despite all its imperfections and inconvenience it has caused me, I must say I absolutely adore this car.
Need a closer look at that boot before you make your purchase? We test the boot and rear passenger space plus plenty more in our video review!
Cabin looks and feels like it'll last for decades, thanks to high-quality plastics
It works like a charm
Thus, it does come as a slight surprise that the off-roader's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated powerplant is paired to a 'less premium' four-speed automatic gearbox.
That said, the Jimny doesn't struggle to get up to speed. Thanks to its rev-happy nature, it manages to keep up with the pack on the first lane of our highways without much fuss. Get past the 100km/h mark and external noises will start to intrude the cabin.
Sounds like a charm, alright
Jumping from a compact SUV or a hatchback to something like the Suzuki Jimny might come as a shock to you, and probably your passengers. Not only does it wobble and squeal around bends, it'll send controlled amounts of vibrations to the cabin over bumps and ruts.
But you know what? Despite all its imperfections and inconvenience it has caused me, I must say I absolutely adore this car.
Need a closer look at that boot before you make your purchase? We test the boot and rear passenger space plus plenty more in our video review!
