Suzuki Jimny Lite 2026 Review 

The fourth-generation Jimny originally went on sale in 2018 but has recently returned to showrooms after a hiatus due to it not complying with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) regulations. With that all sorted and a few extra inclusions, prices are up $2000.

Which means the five-speed manual 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite’s price is now, erm, heftier at $31,990 before on-road costs. Although, with beefed-up safety kit, it isn’t as much of a raw deal as it might seem. Still, getting into a Jimny has never been so expensive.

There are two other three-door variants within the JB74 line-up, with the Jimny manual and auto serving up added features for $33,990 and $36,490 respectively. If you need more room and extra doors, the five-door XL is available from $34,990 and tops out with the $47,490 Rhino Edition.

Direct competition is thin on the ground in terms of capability and price point. However, the Renault Duster is surprisingly talented for off-road adventures and, like the Jimny, won’t cost the earth. Although it isn’t likely to hold its value on the used market as well as the loveable ‘Zook’.

With its mix of cutesy design and miniature muscle, the retro-inspired 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite appeals to a broad spectrum of buyers. It’s just so hard not to look at in a positive light. And where the three-door hard-top is concerned, this is a big part of the appeal.

You can spec your Lite in any colour you like, as long as it’s Superior White or Jungle Green Metallic. Our test car is painted in the latter, which is a $745 option, and it’s fitted with 15-inch steel wheels wrapped in Dunlop rubber. And while this is a ‘cheapie’, it’s still a shame to see halogen headlights instead of LEDs, a factor that is certainly felt at night.

There’s no keyless entry or pushbutton start. Yep, that’s right, you need to use an old-fashioned key for the ignition. Although, the Jimny does provide central locking. The upholstery is cloth instead of leatherette, the steering wheel is plastic and the seats are manually adjustable.

Even the climate control is manual, with a single zone and no digitalisation. If you’re sensing the entry-level Jimny is not just Lite in name, but also in spec, then you’d be right.

The Lite is covered by Suzuki’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and averages out to $453 each visit under the capped-price program.

The 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite is safer than it used to be with the inclusion of a few active systems.

Now with an ADR-compliant autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, the Jimny Lite also gains ‘Dual Sensor Brake Support II’, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping. That combines with a reversing camera.

Camera-based driver-attention monitoring isn’t present, but for reasons that’ll become apparent in the driving section, the Jimny rather hilariously comes with a Weaving Alert function. It tracks the driver’s behaviour patterns at speeds above 60km/h and signals a warning if the Jimny begins to weave.

Traffic-sign recognition is included with visual cues, too.

For reference, three-door versions of the Jimny held a three-star ANCAP safety rating until it expired in 2024. The Jimny is fitted with six airbags.

Yes, a 7.0-inch touchscreen has entered the conversation for the first time with the 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite, bringing a contemporary edge to the tech on offer.

It follows that up with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are handy given the standard infotainment suite isn’t especially pleasing to use. Although, not having all the climate and audio controls buried within on-screen menus is a win.

Analogue dials flank an upgraded 4.2-inch display, which houses trip-computer information as well as odd power and torque readings – it’s odd because there’s little of either to showcase. You won’t find a wireless charge pad, either.

Still, it comes with native satnav, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth with steering wheel-mounted controls, a USB port and 12V outlet, voice commands and a two-speaker audio system. And yes, the latter is as lacklustre as that reads.

With no turbos or hybrid assistance, the 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has its work cut out for it.

The saving grace is that the Jimny weighs a smidge more than 1000kg. That’s true child’s play and results in the pocket-sized three-door SUV feeling perkier off the line than its 75kW and 130Nm would suggest.

Take that with a grain of salt, though, because the Lite is slow. Especially if you want to overtake on a single-lane highway or merge with traffic up an incline. Any initial eagerness from a standstill quickly becomes a distant memory. And with peak power being developed at 6000rpm and torque from 4000rpm, it needs to be revved out.

As you can imagine, it sounds strained when doing so, with the acoustics of the K15B working away under the bonnet entering the cabin. The five-speed manual helps slightly with this, as well as making the Jimny amusing when nipping in and out of traffic.

The manual ’box isn’t a short-throw unit, but rowing through the gears adds to the experience. Still, cruising on a national highway at 110km/h does have the engine sitting on 3500rpm, which hampers noise, vibration and harshness levels and fuel economy. Speaking of…

You’d think with a measly amount of weight to lug about that the 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite would be the king of efficiency. It certainly backs that up on raw manufacturer figures, with the brand claiming it returns 6.4L/100km.

Reality tells a very different story. Through city, highway and off-road conditions, the Jimny slurped down 8.4L/100km to be considerably less efficient than Suzuki’s official data. The tank is also small at 40 litres, but it can be filled with cheaper 91RON unleaded.

The Jimny is supposed to be a rough-and-tumble micro-SUV, which it is. Yet, it’s also right at home in the city.

With such a small footprint, it’s super easy to place and judge its extremities in tight car parks. And while it doesn’t have blind-spot monitoring or a 360-degree camera, you don’t really need them. There’s something refreshing about driving a car with such clear outward vision.

However, as the speed increases, your confidence in the Jimny Lite quickly decreases. It’s extremely susceptible to crosswinds – actually, make that a slightly stiff breeze – that blow the three-door hard-top about. Even passing trucks try to suck you in. You never really drive in a straight line, regardless of the road ahead.

The steering is slow, too, lacking feel and a sense of directness on centre. Big movements with the wheel result in minimal changes of direction. If your holiday requires hundreds, if not thousands, of highway kilometres, make sure there’s a place to lie down at your destination.

While the three-link rigid axles with coil springs at both ends aid the Zook’s bush-bashing prowess, they don’t make for a good combination on tarmac. The notoriously soft nature remains, which means the Jimny Lite pitches and rolls through corners noticeably. Yet, conversely, the low-speed ride quality can be jiggly, too.

However, and bear with us, it can be entertaining – in its own, slightly heat-raising way. And you’re never going fast enough to worry about speeding fines. Work your way through the gears to keep the compact K15B humming, let the body set into its roll and the Jimny can generate a smile.

Plus, you’ve got three pedals to play with and keep you busy, which is becoming a rarity. Despite running discs at the front and drums on the back axle, braking power is sufficient and there aren’t any drive modes to sift through – you just get in it and go.

It’s akin to a trashy TV show or food combo you know you shouldn’t like but can’t help enjoying.

When you do get in and go, you can get almost anywhere, too. The 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite does have its limitations, of course, but it has a strong off-roading reputation for a reason.

The little guy can, at times, show the big boys how it’s done.

Fitted with part-time four-wheel drive, low range and solid axles, the Jimny uses all its mechanical arsenal to its advantage. You need to be in 2H for tarmac. Its main secret weapon is its 1095kg kerb weight, meaning the Zook can scamper along tracks that heavy SUVs and dual-cabs would struggle to conquer.

Further abetting its cause are excellent approach, departure and breakover angles of 36, 47 and 27 degrees respectively. The three-link rigid axles also afford surprising articulation, meaning it does its best to keep all four 15-inch wheels on the ground. It might not have any locking diffs, but the traction control and low range make for a capable combo.

While the amount of articulation is impressive, you do need to take your brave pills at times and judiciously pick your line. With narrow tracks front and rear, skinny tyres (195/80 Dunlops) and a wheelbase of just 2250mm, the Jimny wilfully cocks a leg at either end and feels like it could roll very easily. You just need to trust that it isn’t.

The Suzuki also doesn’t have abundant ground clearance, and the tyres are very much tarmac-centric. Both of those issues can be remedied via an array of aftermarket accessories available for the Jimny. A lift kit easily adds to the 210mm of clearance, while chunky off-road tyres would not only amp up grip levels, but also the aesthetic.

We did encounter an issue with the manual four-wheel-drive selector. After swapping into four-wheel drive for off-road testing, it became stuck and wouldn’t return to 2H. After externally rocking the Jimny back and forth, with help from a carsales colleague, while applying pressure to the lever, it finally slotted in.

While many owners use their vehicles for off-road camping adventures, it’s important to note the 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite does have some limitations.

The first is the roof load limit. You can put a fold-out tent mechanism on your roof but be mindful that it’s only legal for the Jimny to carry 30kg up there while driving. Plus, the payload limit is around 350kg and the braked towing capacity is 1300kg.

As for cargo capacity, well, there really isn’t any with all four seats in place. Technically, there are 85 litres, with a bit of hidden storage under the trivial floor, but it’s hardly big enough for a backpack. Stow the 50/50-split folding rear seats and that grows to a much more usable 377L.

Annoyingly, the Lite misses out on a 12V outlet in the boot, although there’s one up front in the cabin, if you need to power a fridge. A full-size spare wheel lives on the side-hinged tailgate – which you must be mindful of when parking up against a wall.

If you’re after soft-touch materials and attention to design details, you probably won’t be reading this review. Which is a good thing, because the 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite doesn’t aim to pamper.

The styling wouldn’t have appeared modern 20 years ago, let alone now.

Yet, like most aspects of the charming Zook, that doesn’t matter. The cabin is hardwearing and fit for purpose, with logical ergonomics and physical controls. The manual fuel-filler-release lever is a quirky blast from the past, although having no reach adjustment for the steering column is a trait from yesteryear that shouldn’t be relived.

Therefore, getting comfortable behind the wheel can result in compromise for adults with varying body types. You sit high all the same, with the front seats proving comfy despite their flat nature. Just be prepared for plenty of road and wind noise at speed – and the two-speaker stereo lacks the punch to counteract it.

The rear seats provide more space than you’d expect, although that is another reason why the boot is so small. Getting back there is pretty manageable for most, but once in place there’s ample headroom due to the boxy roofline, toes slide under the front pews and legroom isn’t left wanting.

Just don’t expect many creature comforts back there. The most the Jimny Lite can offer is an arm rest that’s quite literally the rear wheel-arch.

There are so many reasons why you shouldn’t buy the 2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite. But none of them matter. Those who want one will buy one. And we can totally understand why.

Even a price rise hasn’t deterred shoppers, either, with the Jimny jumping straight back into its position at the top of the Suzuki sales tree. The Lite makes a lot of sense if you intend to spend the cash you save on aftermarket parts.

If you plan to keep it standard, then stepping up to the Jimny to gain items such as a 9.0-inch touchscreen, LED projector headlights, 15-inch alloy wheels and more colour options might be worth it. But the pared-back Lite holds a lot of appeal.

Ultimately, the Suzuki Jimny remains an automotive enigma that’s so darn hard not to love.

2026 Suzuki Jimny Lite at a glance:
Price: $31,990 plus on-road costs
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 75kW/130Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 146g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Unrated

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au