Spent a week behind the wheel of the new 5-door Suzuki Jimny. Yes, this is (almost) a beast and a serious SUV!

Less than a year has passed since I turned from a pedestrian into a motorist with a license. It is clear that in such a short time my driving experience limited the possibilities of Moscow car sharing, so when the opportunity arose to take a new product from Suzuki for a test drive, I immediately took advantage of it.

For the test I got a Suzuki Jimny, which is compact SUV with an interesting design in a 5-door body. Until 2023, Jimnys were produced exclusively in the three-door world, but they were one of the last truly iconic cars with their powerful army of fans.

I was interested in the fact that people all over the world sincerely love this car, so I spent 10 days behind the wheel of this compact SUV and will gladly share my impressions and observations with you.

In short, this is an unusually tube car, in which a novice car enthusiast is very comfortable both in terms of driving and in terms of dimensions. But, first things first.

Retro charm on wheels

Looks like a Gelenvagen, only small.

The first thing that catches your eye is the unusual appearance of the Suzuki Jimny. The car looks like a cross between a military SUV and a toy car.

When I first approached it, I was struck by its angular shape, as if the car had just come straight from the drawing board of an 80s engineer.

But it has its own charm: straight body lines and minimalist details make it a true “old school” SUV that is presented in a sea of ​​​​modern culture. smoothed crossovers.

If you take this car, then only in such a bright color.

This is a small but reliable car. The Jimny’s compact size is ideal for the city: parking in tight spaces is easy, even for a beginner.

High ground clearance makes it easy to climb curbs and park where other motorists would be afraid to leave their vehicle, for example, because of deep ruts.

I especially liked the fact that the Suzuki Jimny loves on the roads. I was often let through without honking, and at traffic lights I noticed interested glances from the car that appeared.

Comfortable inside, but not luxurious

Everything inside is as ergonomic and comfortable as possible. Besides the cup holders, they are too far from the front seats, closer to the rear.

You sit in the cabin and immediately understand that Jimny is not about luxury. Hard plastic all around, no soft surfaces. But this is not annoying, because all the elements look well thought out and durable.

The buttons and levers are large and easy to press even with gloves on, which is especially valuable in winter or off-road.

There is a lot of space, my height is 183 cm, it’s comfortable to sit.

The front seats are comfortable with good support. However, in the back row I had mixed feelings. There is very little space for inspection – your knees almost rest against the front seats. In addition, there are only two seats in the back row, not three.

In general, compared to the classic 3-door Suzuki Jimny, the new model has become literally 35 cm longer. Moreover, the frame base has not undergone any changes in size at all.

This car is definitely not intended for long events with a large group. However, this is an ideal option for two who want to go into the city for the weekend.

Pay attention to the height of the ceiling. Even on hard off-road you can avoid hitting your head on the roof.

In terms of options, the Jimny is equipped with a safety system, ABS and multiple airbags. Fortunately, they were not needed in my test.

However, the lack of modern assistants such as adaptive cruise control or a surround-view camera is a bit disappointing. Also surprising was the lack of heated seats in principle and heated rear-view mirrors, which in our northern latitudes can cause serious discomfort.

Yes, the rear view mirrors are great. Large “burdocks” in which everything that happens behind the car is clearly visible.

The car seems narrow inside, but with my dimensions it is comfortable to sit in, even with a passenger.

There is a touch screen in the center that displays information about the car, trip and multimedia. I was pleased to have full-fledged Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Yandex Navigator works, its own music plays – it’s a blast.

I should note that the screen does not support the Russian language. But I set English and it was normal, even if I didn’t know it – thanks to the pictograms, everything is clear.

Carplay is one love. I got used to singing loudly while driving in Moscow traffic jams.

As for the trunk, it is frankly small. In its normal state there is practically no steam.

But by repairing the rear seats, you can easily transport them even on a bicycle and with camping gear.

The trunk door opens to the side, and there is a closer to open it, so be careful: pull the handle a little, and the door will suddenly swing open on its own if you don’t listen to it.

There is a light bulb in the trunk. It’s convenient.

SUV or SUV: look at the performance characteristics

Thank you. to nameless colleagues who tested this car before me. It seems that they climbed up to her eyebrows in the mud.

1.5-liter engine with 102 hp. It seems small for an SUV, but the Jimny weighs only around 1.1 tonnes, making this power more than adequate.

In the city, it picks up speed rather slowly, so you need to get used to planning ahead for overtaking. At the same time, the engine runs quietly and smoothly, although a characteristic “roar” appears at high speeds.

Next to the usual automatic transmission knob there is a separate all-wheel drive control lever.

The ALLGRIP PRO all-wheel drive system with low-range gearing is a key feature of the Jimny. The lowering gear is activated by the main automatic transmission lever, and an additional handle nearby is responsible for connecting the all-wheel drive.

In the off-road test, the car easily coped with mud, steep slopes and puddles. Moreover, it was not possible to find power for larger, but deeper mud in the nearest Moscow region.

The steep climb is not a problem at all.

It feels like this is a real SUV, not a SUV. The Jimny needs to go “dirt” and provide real pleasure.

Handling in the city, on the highway and off-road

In the city, I appreciated the compactness of the Jimny: it turns around almost on the spot. In traffic jams and on tight streets, this is one of its main advantages. However, the stiff suspension makes turning on bad asphalt uncomfortable; you feel every bump and unevenness. Even small potholes are felt by the whole body.

Separately, I would like to note that this car needs to be constantly steered, because it constantly “scours” either to the right or to the left. They say that this is a distinctive feature of frame SUVs, write in the comments, the owner of the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Niva, is this true?

At speeds of 90–100 km/h the car behaves stable, but strong wind forces you to hold the steering wheel tighter. The high body and short wheelbase make themselves felt. The Jimny is suitable for long trips on the highway, but it requires more complexity from the driver than any Chinese SUV.

High seats, like in a full-size jeep.

As I wrote above, the Jimny is transformed off-road. Short body weights and high ground clearance allow you to pass where conventional crossovers are sold. The low-range linkage helps you tackle steep climbs and obstacles, while the rigid frame gives you confidence on rough terrain.

Light weight plays a role. As I drove into the sand trap, the Jimny opted for its no-frills self. This is captivating – the car seems like a real all-terrain vehicle, despite its modest size.

How much gasoline does it consume?

Everything is visible here. Is this a lot or a little, what do you think?

Suzuki Jimny is equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Perhaps this is also why the consumption in the city is quite significant. On average it was 9.4 liters per 100 km.

The tank is small, capacity 40 liters. Don’t forget to plan gas stops if you’re planning on the far side.

Conclusion, pros and cons

If you close your eyes to minor disadvantages, the car is fire.

Suzuki Jimny made a double impression on me. As soon as you sit in it, your first thought is how cool it is, so cozy and vibe. In principle, I understand the fans of this car, because this small SUV makes you fall in love at first sight with its dimensions, comfort and ergonomic controls.

🟢 Among the main advantages I note the following:

▪️compact dimensions
▪️comfortable driving position, plenty of space
▪️high maneuverability
▪️ excellent cross-country ability
▪️availability of all-wheel drive
▪️ Apple Car Play

The feeling of admiration lasts for a few more days, and then you begin to notice the disadvantages, which are not so critical, but after the stuffed electronics of a Chinese car causes bewilderment.

🔴 in short, I personally didn’t like it:

▪️ no heated seats
▪️lack of automatic windows (except for the driver’s door)
▪️ no heated rear view mirrors
▪️ small gas tank combined with low fuel consumption in the city

The closest analogue of the Suzuki Jimny is our dear, domestic Niva, with which the heroes of this review are compared by all and sundry. Among the undoubted advantages of the Jimny are an automatic transmission and advanced multimedia, but the Niva is much cheaper in any, even the most “fat” configuration.

In the end, I asked myself: who is this car for? It is not designed for long trips, it accelerates rather slowly, and the trunk is prohibitively small for an SUV. Plus the price – in Russia, official dealers sell you this beauty for more than 4 million rubles.

I’m going to miss this Grinch.

And there is an answer. Suzuki Jimny is a car for a pleasant and comfortable off-road. When you need to blow off some steam after a week’s work, you hop in a Jimny and drive off to some off-the-beaten-track location to respectfully push off-the-beaten paths with at least a minimum of adventure experience.

This car is for those who are willing to accept its compromises for the sake of unique capabilities. It is ideal for a single person, couple or small family who value adventure and freedom.

If you’re looking for a car with character that can take on any challenge, the Jimny is your choice.

📸 All photos in the article: