Suzuki Jimny LCV could come to Oz

Suzuki has released a two-seat commercial vehicle version of the popular Suzuki Jimny in Europe and it could become available in Australia one day too.

Officially called the Suzuki Jimny Light Commercial Vehicle, the compact two-seat LCV is not the go-anywhere single-cab 4x4 ute many had hoped for.

Instead, Europe’s Suzuki Jimny LCV is effectively the same as the four-seat 4x4 off-roader that continues to sell up a storm in Australia, minus the rear seats and the addition of a cargo barrier.

Thus, combined with its dual-range 4x4 drivetrain and generous ground clearance, it’s now officially classified as a commercial vehicle in many European markets, where the Suzuki Jimny would otherwise have been axed due to tighter emissions regulations from next year.

No such problems exist for the Jimny so far in Australia, where the latest model has found more than 2500 buyers since its launch here in early 2019, including 1150 so far this year.

That makes it the fifth most popular light SUV behind the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Venue, the discontinued Holden Trax and new Volkswagen T-Cross.

In fact, notwithstanding its three-star safety rating, demand for the fourth-generation Jimny remains so strong that the waiting time for delivery can be up to 12 months, depending on the back-order list of the dealer you purchase from.

Despite that, Suzuki Australia told carsales it would be keen to offer the Jimny LCV here if it became available to it – just as its hand remains held high for the rumoured five-door version of the cheeky SUV.

“Although a desirable option for the Australian market, we currently have no plans to introduce this [LCV] variant with consideration to the limited production available of Jimny versus the enormous, continuously growing back order position we currently have for our present configuration on sale today,” said Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia General Manager - Automobile.

“That's not to say, if production capacity improves, we wouldn't put our hand up for it or any other configuration that could be potentially available in the future.”

The Suzuki Jimny LCV is virtually identical to the two-door model sold here – apart from the removal of the rear seats, which produces a float rear load area and increases cargo capacity by 33 litres to a total of 863 behind the front seats.

There are no changes under the bonnet, where Jimny employs a 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matched to either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

Despite the fact most of them don’t go off-road, the Suzuki Jimny remains one of the few four-wheel drive light SUVs available and certainly the only one equipped with a rugged ladder frame, low-range ratios and big approach/departure angles.

The Suzuki Jimny is currently priced from $25,990 in Australia, but the removal of the rear seats could make it even cheaper – and even better suited to the types of uses for which it was originally designed: hard-core off-roading away from the beaten track and lugging farm equipment around rural areas.

What do you think? Would you take advantage of the Suzuki Jimny LCV if it because available in Australia?