Suzuki Jimny (2018-2020) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Suzuki Jimny is a small SUV, but is far more oriented to off-road work than any other cars of similar size on sale in the UK. The latest model, launched in 2018, replaced a model that had been in production for 20 years. Unfortunately, it only survived a couple of years before being discontinued.
The Jimny received a broad range of scores from the UK media, which reflected its rather narrow niche. It was highly praised for its off-roading ability, but criticised for its on-road handling and poor safety rating compared to other vehicles of similar size and price. It also had an anti-theft security rating of “Unacceptable” from Thatcham Research.
The Suzuki Jimny was withdrawn from sale in the UK in 2020 as it no longer complied with passenger car emissions regulations. However, Suzuki has now re-introduced the Jimny to the UK market as a commercial vehicle.
Key specifications
Body style: Small three-door SUVEngines: petrol
Price: From £15,499 on-road
Launched: Summer 2018Last updated: –
Replacement due: N/A
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 6.6 / 10“The Suzuki Jimny is a proper old-school off-roader. It will appeal to a particular kind of buyer who will accept the compromises – a poor safety rating, not a lot of interior room and efficiency figures that don’t impress.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Commercial rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Suzuki Jimny Commercial breathes new life into the rugged small 4×4. It looks great, and if you spend any time driving one in the right conditions you’ll soon be able to forgive its foibles.”
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Score: 6 / 10“Comprehensive changes bring the Suzuki Jimny into the 21st Century. It isn’t perfect, but it’s full to the brim with quirky charm.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Commercial rangeScore: 4.8 / 10” It falls short of almost all the usual parameters by which a van is judged – it has barely any space in the loading bay, has a pitiful payload by usual standards and it’s tricky to get comfortable in the cabin.”
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Score: 6 / 10“The Jimny looks absolutely brilliant and commands plenty of attention everywhere it goes, plus it’s a genuinely capable off-roading tool. However, most people just want the rugged look rather than the mud-plugging ability – and for those people, the Jimny doesn’t make so much sense.”
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Autocar
Score: 7 / 10“At its price point, rivals with a comparative ability off the beaten track simply don’t exist. However, just like its predecessor, the new Suzuki Jimny remains a compromised vehicle for on-road use.”
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Car
Score: 8 / 10“It’s impossible not to fall for the Jimny. Just look at it! Suzuki’s designers have penned a shape that hits a sweet spot somewhere between cheeky, chunky and cheerful. That it drives noticeably better than the previous one isn’t a huge surprise given the two decades of development time it’s had.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 5.6 / 10“There are few compact, lightweight 4x4s around, so if you need a small car that’s also a very capable off-roader, the Suzuki Jimny is well worth considering.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Nothing else looks quite like the Suzuki Jimny, and not a lot will keep up with it off-road. On-road, though, it’s poor, and most alternative small SUVs are more practical inside.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7 / 10“Not a core fleet car, but one that is capable of doing what nothing else can at this price point in terms of accessing remote locations. While also looking like a cult classic.”
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Green Car Guide
Score: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Jimny offers excellent off-road capability in a lightweight and compact package, with very few rivals currently on sale.”
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Honest John
Score: 8 / 10“The Suzuki Jimny can barely carry anything with all four seats in use – it has an official load capacity of just 85 litres with the rear seats left up. It’s much better treated as a two-seater with the rear seats permanently left down, in which case you get a fairly boxy, useful boot.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6.6 / 10“Super-capable off-road, not so much elsewhere”
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The Sun
“In its fourth incarnation since the first model in 1970, the new Suzuki Jimny is a welcome update to a bulletproof mountain goat.”
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The Sunday Times
Score: 5 / 10“Still a big hit off-road and a big miss on-road.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual SZ4Score: 8 / 10“It’s easy to dismiss the Suzuki Jimny as a bonsai 4×4, but that’s to forget that out there in the wild, small size and light weight make a vehicle as agile as one with complicated suspension and electronics. That this little scrabbler isn’t too bad on the road and looks so cute make it almost irresistible.”
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Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Jimny’s ultra-honest unpretentiousness is the antidote to every beige crossover out there. Just don’t expect sophistication, and you’ll adore it.”
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What Car?
Score: 4 / 10“The revived Suzuki Jimny is another instant classic, living up to its AllGrip Pro credentials with unstoppable skills off-road – it’s a shame it’s rather crude when on it.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview“We love the way the Suzuki Jimny looks, how it performs off-road and the honesty of its functional design. However, if you’re mostly using it as a road car, there are far better options out there. It’s the model’s crash safety rating that’s concerning, though.” Rated a DON’T BUY.
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall rating: 3 stars
Date tested: September 2018
73%
ADULT OCCUPANT
84%
CHILD OCCUPANT
52%
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
50%
SAFETY ASSIST
Read full Euro NCAP review
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Suzuki Jimny has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: N/A (No keyless entry or keyless start facility)
Date: 2019
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Suzuki Jimny has received
2019
- World Car Awards – World Urban Car
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best 4×4
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Off-Roader
- Car Dealer Power Awards – Car of the Year
- Southern Group of Motoring Writers New Year Honours List – Dark Horse of the Year
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Keyword: Suzuki Jimny (2018 – 2020)