Is the Suzuki Jimny good for new drivers? Here’s our verdict.

By Farzana Chaumoo

 As boxy as a G-Wagon but cuter than a Renegade, the fourth-gen Jimny is booming in popularity more than ever. But is it for you?

 

The three-door Suzuki Jimny is not something you go flashing outside pilates class. It’s a tool made for the outdoors and for those who enjoy waking up in nature and sipping tea out of flasks. If you need and/or appreciate a flat-roofed vehicle because it’s easy to load and mount cargo racks, then it’s another reason for you to have it.

The Jimny is a serious off-roader and an iconic vehicle on SA roads built for anyone with an adventurous spirit. There are plenty of affordable options for a new driver but I emphasize the outdoors and the adventure bit because it would not serve the Jimny right to be driven to work or campus only, and back, every day. If that’s the case, take a look at a Polo Vivo or a BMW 1 Series or for something more industrial perhaps the NP200.

The all-new fouth-generation Jimny is a solid offering. It has a body-on-frame construction, coil-sprung solid axles with a three-link location at the rear and a pan hard rod at the front, and a transfer-box set of crawler gears. In addition to its ground clearance that can rival a mountain ibex, it also has great entry, exit and breakover angles that make it an authentic all-terrain automobile.

 

Engine and Performance

Powering the new Jimny is a new 1.5-litre engine said to generate strong torque over a wide rpm range for powerful off-road performance. Not only is it small and lightweight, but it also delivers high fuel efficiency. It puts out maximum power of 75 kW @ 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 130 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. Average fuel consumption is claimed to be 6.3l/100km in the manual and 6.8l/100km in the auto.

For new drivers, this is a sufficient amount of power and torque while the fuel consumption is okay. There are smaller cars that would return this or less with a heavier footed driving style. Obviously, under normal driving conditions, your routes and your driving style, the fuel consumption on the Jimny may be a little more.

A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard, along with a low-range transfer box for 4x4 scrambling. You can opt to spec your Jimny with a four-speed automatic gearbox, but the auto is said to be a little more sluggish than the manual.

 

Safety 

The new Jimny comes with a range of protective advances to keep you safe out in the wild or in the city.

Handy features for a new driver include Hill Hold Control which helps prevent backward rolling, even on bumpy and uneven hills, so you can focus on controlling the vehicle’s acceleration. There’s also Hill Descent Control which automatically applies the brakes with the push of a button to maintain a fixed descent speed while you concentrate on steering without using the brake pedal or clutch.

Then there’s Brake LSD Traction Control which is designed to automatically brake the slipping wheels, when two wheels diagonal from each other lose grip while you’re travelling over slippery surfaces, and redistribute torque to the other two wheels.

The Jimny also has an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which detects and automatically adjusts wheel slippage to help the driver stay in control.

Furthermore, the new Jimny also features ABS brakes, ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats, and side-impact door beams.

 

Practicality

There is seating space for four adults in the Jimny and a large, easy to grip handle provides solid support for the front passenger when entering the vehicle. There is enough luggage space for a short trip. Rear storage can be expanded by folding the back seats. The flat and expanded space allows for crosswise storage of wide items. Screw holes provide support for optional accessories like luggage bars and utility hooks.

The GLX model features a rear power socket which lets you power appliances and tools in the back. Cleaning is easy as the floor and seatbacks are covered in resin. Another great feature of the GLX is the versatile luggage area box for convenient storage in the back.

Convenient pockets and trays keep your smartphone and gadgets within reach. Accessory sockets are close by to connect and power your devices, while the GLX also boasts a USB socket.

 

Accessories

New drivers these days like to customize their vehicles and Suzuki offers a long list of accessories to make the Jimny your own.

 

Warranty, Service Plan & Roadside Assistance 

New drivers can have peace of mind regarding maintenance expenses. All Suzuki models are covered by a comprehensive manufacturer’s promotional warranty against any defects for a period of 3 years or 100 000km. This is supported by a 6-year body corrosion warranty subject to terms and conditions.

The Suzuki Jimny benefits from a 2 year/30 000km service plan on the GA and a 4 year/60 000km service plan on the GLX. This plan includes the replacement of oil, the oil filter, fuel filter, brake fluid, air filter and accessory belts, but excludes tyres, brakes and other wear-and-tear items.

Every new Jimny comes with a roadside assistance plan. Some of the benefits offered by this comprehensive package include battery and locksmith call-out services, mechanical and electrical, breakdown towing (accident towing is optional), emergency medical rescue, vehicle repatriation and a stand-by-you roadside security armed-response service.

 

Verdict

Suzuki offers thorough after-sales support so new drivers won’t feel stranded after leaving the dealership with their new Jimny. The equipment levels are pretty decent and offer everything you could need in a petite package. It’s a serious off-roader with features that has proven its worth as a reliable and safe new or second-hand buy for young drivers, especially if you’re after something unique, the Jimny is worth considering.

 

 

Recommended: Top 5 Suzuki Jimny features that stand out from the competition