Suzuki Jimny – What you need to know

The Suzuki Jimny has been winning the hearts of buyers for over 50 years, with almost three million sales around the globe.

Arriving in Australia with sellout success in 2019 – the same year it was named World Urban Car of the Year – the new-generation baby off-roader is now available in two trim levels, including a new entry-level Lite variant.

The 2021 Suzuki Jimny is offered with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine across the range, matched with a five-speed manual (Lite and Jimny) or four-speed automatic transmission (Jimny only) and part-time four-wheel drive.

Let's drive our way through the features to find the model that suits you.

At $26,990 plus on-road costs the entry-level Suzuki Jimny Lite comes with the following standard equipment:

Options are limited to metallic paint at $695 or two-tone paint at $1295.

All Suzuki Jimny variants are equipped with the obligatory six airbags, electronic stability and traction control systems, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and brakeforce distribution, plus a hill holder and hill descent control.

Then there's the driver assist features including low-speed autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, weaving alert, driver attention detection and emergency brake display via the stop and hazard lights.

And making long journeys easier is cruise control with a speed-limiter. You also get self-leveling, auto high-beam halogen headlights.

Stepping up to the Jimny also snares you a reversing camera to make backing up easier, hill hold for the auto transmission and the LED headlights. Both models feature daytime running lights, but only the top-spec Jimny gets LEDs as well as fog lights.

But all Jimny models, which ride on a rugged ladder frame, come with a sub-standard three-star ANCAP safety rating, from back in 2018.

Jimny Lite buyers make do with a CD player, AM/FM radio and an MP3 decoder to entertain themselves, plus Bluetooth phone and music connectivity.

Want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? Then the flagship Jimny is the one for you, with its 8.0-inch touch-screen and voice recognition (but no built-in satellite-navigation).

Both variants of the Suzuki Jimny have air-con – manually operated in the Lite, with the Jimny getting digital climate control.

Both variants also come with cloth trim and cup holders in the centre console and, for a bit of bling in the cabin, chrome finished door-handles.

Does a trip computer make your 'must have' list? Both models have one and it provides driving range and fuel consumption info, plus outside temperature and a digital clock.

Is a leather steering wheel on your wish list? Then head over to the top-shelf Jimny and its leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.

Privacy glass, you ask? You'll have to dig a bit deeper into your savings and buy the top Jimny if you want this feature, which darkens the rear side and rear windows.

The Jimny also comes with a centre cabin light and 12-volt outlet in the centre console and cargo areas, while the Lite only has a single outlet in the console.

Powered door mirrors? These are on both models but only the Jimny has the added convenience of a folding function so you can get into those tight spots.

While both variants have a black grille, differentiating the Jimny from the Lite are its previously mentioned privacy glass along with 15-inch alloy wheels and body-coloured door-handles.

Both Jimny variants have a full-size spare, but the Lite gets a 15-inch steel wheel to match the rest and the jimny scores a 15-inch alloy. There’s a hard protection cover for all models.

A 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre petrol four with variable valve timing provides the grunt for the Suzuki Jimny range.

If you go for the Lite, your only choice is the five-speed manual transmission, but stepping up to the Jimny avails you to a four-speed auto as well.

Both are part-time four-wheel drive with low- and high-range, making the Jimny unique in its class and equally at home bush-bashing or on the highway.

There's no denying the little Suzuki is a cute thing and the basic recipe hasn’t been drastically altered in over 50 years.

The Jimny also has the ability to take you almost anywhere, given its off-road prowess, matched to a relatively comfy ride on smooth roads.

Neither model is a fireball on the road and the Lite is a bit bare-bones in terms of spec, so for the small extra outlay we'd sign up for the high-spec Jimny with a five-speed manual.

How much does the 2021 Suzuki Jimny cost?
Jimny Lite manual – $26,990
Jimny manual – $28,490
Jimny auto – $29,99
*Prices exclude on-road costs