Suzuki Jimny 2021 review: GLX auto off-road test

This Jimny has a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $29,990 (excluding on-road costs). The grey metallic paint costs $695, so this Jimny's price as tested is $30,685 (excluding on-road costs).

It has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (75kW/130Nm) and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Standard features include a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with satellite navigation, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Standard features include a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with satellite navigation, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and USB connectivity with steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, digital climate control, 12V accessory sockets (in the centre console and luggage area), 15-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, automatic LED headlights, electric folding mirrors, and more.

Safety gear includes six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, weaving alert, and, yes, more. It has a three-star ANCAP safety rating.

Exterior paint available include white (no extra cost), Chiffon Ivory Metallic and Bluish Black Pearl (both metallic paint available at extra cost), Kinetic Yellow and Bluish Black Pearl, Jungle Green and Medium Grey (all premium paint available at extra cost).

It has 15-inch alloy wheels.

As mentioned, the Jimny has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 75kW@6000rpm and 130Nm@4000rpm; low figures in the grand scheme of things but plenty enough to punch this 1110kg (kerb weight, auto) off-roader around the countryside. It has a four-speed automatic transmission.

It has part-time 4WD and an AllGrip Pro system of driver-assist tech includes hill descent control, hill hold assist and more.

The Jimny has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 75kW@6000rpm and 130Nm@4000rpm.

The interior is neat, simple and very function-friendly. Materials are either cloth (seats) or durable hard plastic (dash and everything else). Otherwise there are rubber mats and the like. It's basic but low-key appealing.

The Jimny has four barely-there seats, all of them bits of foam clad in durable cloth. They're all quite upright, but are generally comfortable enough for short-distance trips.

There's a shallow glovebox, a thin open recess above it for stuff, a small bin for pocket rubbish in front of the shifter, two cup-holders, and a narrow hard-plastic pocket on both of the front doors.

The centre console is a hub of controls – for front power windows, hill descent and traction control – and there’s a USB and 12V power point.

The driver gets steering-wheel-mounted controls for the entertainment system, cruise control etc.

The centre console is a hub of controls – for front power windows, hill descent and traction control – and there's a USB and 12V power point. There's a 12V socket in the cargo area.

Everyone except the driver gets an over-door grab handle. The front-seat passenger also has a solid glove-box-mounted grab handle.

All in all, the cabin is a cramped but basically comfortable space.

With all seats in use, the rear cargo area is rather cramped, measuring 85 litres VDA. That equates to an off-roading first-aid kit, three small daypacks and not much else.

If you drop those 50:50 seats, the entire cargo area is 830 litres VDA; it's 377 litres if you only pack to the window sills.

All in all, the cabin is a cramped but basically comfortable space.

Not too shabby.

The Jimny is 3645mm long (from front bumper to back edge of the spare wheel cover), with a 2250mm wheelbase. It is 1645mm wide, 1720mm high, and the auto has a listed kerb weight of 1110kg.

It's light and narrow with a truncated wheelbase so – surprise, surprise – it's a fun little drive around town, highly manoeuvrable – with a turning circle of 4.9m – and punchy enough off the mark or on the go to make entering traffic from a standing start or overtaking on the highway simple enough tasks.

It feels like you're driving a go-kart on the road. In a good way.

It does, however, feel underpowered and vulnerable on highways. Watch out for the 'wash' of passing bigger vehicles, especially trucks, and drive with extra care on stretches signposted "High Wind Area" or "Caution High Winds" because the little Jimny can be rocked quite severely by surprise gusts.

Overall, on-road ride and handling are okay for something so diminutive. Ride is firm and jittery via a light narrow body on a ladder frame chassis and coil springs.

Also, be warned, it is noisy inside.

The Jimny is on 15-inch alloy wheels with Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts (195/80R15) and those are fine for on-road driving, but far from ideal, for obvious reasons, for off-roading.

In terms of comfort, all seats are more firm than comfy but they're fine for short trips.

Fuel consumption for the auto Jimny is listed as 6.9L/100km (combined).

I recorded an impressive 7.4L/100km on test and that included a lot of low-range 4WDing.

It has a 40-litre fuel tank.

The Jimny has a five-year/unlimited km warranty.

Service intervals are scheduled for every 12months/15,000km and cost an average of $331 for a total of $1655 over five years.