2019 Suzuki Jimny Australian price and spec

The new 2019 Suzuki Jimny has finally arrived in Australia and pricing is set at $23,990 for the five-speed manual and $25,990 for the four-speed auto.

But if you want one you may have to wait in line because only 1100 of the cars are coming to Australia in 2019 – and almost one-third of them are already sold.

The fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny features a boxy retro design and is based on a rugged ladder frame chassis, has 210mm of ground clearance and uses three-link rigid axles to ensure its go-anywhere reputation is not tarnished.

All models are fitted with a low-range transfer gearbox with 2H, 4H and 4L modes. Hill descent control is standard and operates at either 10 or 5km/h, depending on the mode.

Weighing just under 1100kg, the light-weight mud-plugger is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine worth 75kW and 130Nm. It offers fuel economy of 6.9L/100km for the automatic and 6.4L/100km manual.

The new Jimny has plenty of standard equipment including LED headlights, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a two-speaker stereo plus Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a reversing camera, satellite navigation, 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and automatically dipping high-beam headlights.

It has one USB port, one AUX port, two 12-volt sockets and a leather-covered steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. The steering wheel is tilt adjust only.

There are two ISOFIX and top tether anchorages.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and six airbags are standard equipment but the car has a below-average three star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Suzuki says the low safety rating won't affect sales.

Measuring 3625mm long the tiny machine is smaller than most compact cars (and 50mm shorter than its predecessor) and has virtually no boot space (85 litres) until the rear two seats are folded. This opens up 377 litres of cargo space – about the same room as a small hatchback like the VW Golf with all five seats in place.

After almost three million sales globally since it was introduced in 1970, the fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny will available in very limited numbers in Australia, explained Michael Pachota, General Manager of Suzuki Automotive Australia.

"We've got a confirmation from Suzuki Japan of 1100 cars landing in Australia in 2019," he said, noting that there are "…just over 320 pre-orders" already.

With so much pent-up demand globally, there's a huge amount of pressure on the Kosai factory in Japan where the new Suzuki Jimny is built. Only 60,000 vehicles will be built annually and as Pachota explains, there's a "a one-and-a-half year back order in Japan" at present.

Asked if the wait list for Australian customers wanting to buy a Suzuki Jimny could blow out to 12-months or more like in Japan, Pachota said it was more likely than not.

"Look, it just depends on how fast those orders come through.

"Australia Day we launch the car, we've got vehicles at every dealership. But once people take a drive in it, once people see in the flesh, open a door, touch a panel, take a Selfie, I have no doubt in my mind that the one year back order is just around the corner.

"We've had so much interest, not just from die-hard 4x4 types. Even young girls love it, they think it's cute. The demographic has opened up to a diverse buyer type, which I think will be for all walks of life."

It's expected Suzuki will expand the range of models in future with talk of five-door and Jimny ute models down the track.

The Suzuki Jimny comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and three year's road side assistance. There is also a capped-price servicing program.

How much does the Suzuki Jimny cost?
Jimny manual - $23,990 (plus ORCs)
Jimny auto - $25,990 (plus ORCs)

How much are the options?
Single-tone metallic paint - $500
Dual-tone metallic paint and roof - $1200

Suzuki Jimny specifications:
Length: 3625mm
Width: 1645mm
Height: 1720mm
Weight: 1075kg (manual) 1090kg (auto)
Ground clearance: 210mm
Brakes: Solid disc (front) drum (rear)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (75kW/130Nm)
Tyres: 195/80 R15 Bridgestone Desert Dueler H/T
Fuel tank: 40 litres