Similar to Mercedes with the G-model, Suzuki has also taken a lot of time with four new vehicle classes with the new edition of the Jimny. After 20 years, there is now a successor to the small SUV. There should have been a lot done.
What can one expect from a completely new model that replaces its two-decade-old predecessor? After all, the new Suzuki Jimny skipped at least three vehicle generations compared to the old model. You can not see that from the start, but the designers probably wanted it that way. Who is not a pronounced Jimny fan will not recognize the new model right off the bat. Sure, the front with the high-lying radiator grille and the two round headlights already looks more modern. But the most important optical ingredients Suzuki has left unchanged: The only just 3,50 meter long body continues to look cuddly, the spare wheel is already attached to the rear door alone for reasons of space. This is unfortunately still posted on the right, so that you have to move as a driver in European legal traffic when loading around the door. Overall, the Jimny looks sympathetic from the outside as ever. Unfortunately, the standard 15-inch wheels fill the wheel well not nearly, so that the small SUV looks somehow unfinished at this point.
The interior is dominated by cheap materials, which were, however, processed very cleanly and leave no doubt about their longevity. Unfortunately, our new car smelled unpleasant for plastic, which is actually used in this intensity for some years only from cheap products. And that's not Jimny. The Japanese is designed as a four-seater, but boarding the rear seat through the front door is not easy and once you have taken a seat, you do not really know where to put your legs. At least if the front not very small people have taken place.
Let's just say it like this: The Jimny is a two-seater. And these two sit very neat, the driver also looks at easy-to-read instruments. In the more expensive of the two variants offered (Comfort +) for very cheap 19.985 Euro is a lot of equipment included, including climate control, navigation and even for the first time at Suzuki a traffic sign recognition. Who wants the pure SUV feeling, renounces this "luxury" and indulges in the basic version for 17.915 Euro. What is missing in the interior are a few more storage options and yes after Reiseambition a larger trunk. In the basic configuration of this measly 85 liter, puts the seats around it are at high load, after all, 830 liter.
The Jimny is driven exclusively by a 1,5-liter naturally aspirated engine with 75 kW / 102 PS. Although the petrol engine is significantly better than the old 1,3-liter engine in its predecessor, the drive is still anything but up to date. 145 km / h are maximum in there and the by no means outstanding 130 Newton meters maximum torque are also only at 4.000 rpm on. In addition, the five-speed gearbox is reasonably hakelig and not easy to run. The naturally short wheelbase of 2,25 meters ensures restless handling at higher speeds. A big minus receives the Jimny from us for its unsatisfactory braking performance, behind the manufacturer only builds drum brakes. Here urgent need for improvement would be reported to Japan.
The Jimny is therefore not a vehicle for the highway and actually not even for the highway, also because we have already missed a sixth gear painfully due to the noise. Above all, he will find fans in the urban area, who are simply looking for an extraordinary city SUV and whose young backs can only laugh about the comfort weaknesses. The second target group is the classic for the Jimny, ie people like hunters, foresters or landscape workers who are looking for a cheap and sturdy car with four-wheel drive qualities. Normally, the Suzuki is powered by the rear wheels, all-wheel is manually engaged. There is also an off-road reduction. Ladder frames and rigid axles, not conducive to comfort in everyday life, provide real terrain qualities here. In this price range, there is no vehicle that has similar properties off the asphalt. Oh yes, a Bergan and a push-button activatable downhill help is also on board.
Anyone looking for a real worker for field, forest and meadow, gets with the Jimny a cheap, well-made car. Here is the handy, slim Suzuki an absolute recommendation. If you want to pose better with the vehicle, you have to accept a few limitations in terms of space, ride comfort and safety (brakes). Here are likely to access more young people who are looking for a car for the city, which should stand out from the usual soft SUV.
Peter Eck / SP-X
