Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Suzuki Jimny Commercial 1.5 AllGrip
Pricing: £16,796 plus VAT
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: five-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Body style: three-door, two-seat commercial 4x4
CO2 emissions: 173g/km
Combined economy: 36.7mpg
Top speed: 90mph
0-62mph: 13 seconds (estimated)
Power: 101hp
Torque: 130Nm
Boot space: 863 litres
What's this?
An exercise in dodging the rules. The new Jimny, which only came out a few years ago, wasn’t capable of passing the emissions rules for passenger cars, so Suzuki simply converted it into a van, which doesn’t have to meet the same standards.
That means the Jimny Commercial, as we should call it, is more or less identical to the passenger-carrying car, except the back seats have been ripped out to create a massive rear cargo bay with a flat floor. Given the standard car’s back seats were cramped and uncomfortable anyway, there were no back doors and the boot was pathetically small, there’s nothing desperately sad about that.
The catch is the obvious lack of versatility, but at least that’s an excuse not to be the designated driver when your mates want to go for a pint. Oh, and the mesh bulkhead that’s in there for safety reasons means you can’t move the front seats back quite as far, which is an issue for anyone over the height of about 5ft 10in. Otherwise, the Jimny hasn’t changed a bit.
Which means it’s almost perverse in its simplicity; making a point of being Spartan and unwelcoming. But that’s the Jimny way, and while it has its charms, it has plenty of foibles too. All the cabin plastics feel hard and cheap, although they’re undoubtedly robust, and standard equipment is minimal.
Don’t come to this car expecting a touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel or heated seats. You get a DAB radio, electric front wheels and Bluetooth connectivity, but that’s about your lot. It’s stripped back and simple, which is why Suzuki is only charging £19,999 once VAT has been applied. Businesses need only spend around £17,000.
Or at least they would, if they could get hold of one. The Jimny has been such a hit that Suzuki’s factory can’t keep up with the orders, and pretty much every car has been snapped up. The occasional order cancellation will crop up now and then, but there’s a waiting list even for those. Which is why Jimnys that ‘should’ cost about £20,000 brand new are selling for considerably more on the used market.
How does it drive?
Drivers who expect the Jimny to look like a proper 4x4 but handle like a road car will be sorely disappointed. This car is very much an off-roader, with the sensibilities of modern motorists either totally ignored or at least relegated to the bottom of the priorities list. Embrace that, and you’re going to love the Jimny’s honesty, but if that sounds like your idea of hell, can we recommend the Land Rover Discovery Sport?
Unlike the Land Rover, the Suzuki is powered (we use the term loosely) by a 101hp, naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is something of a blast from the past. No matter how hard you work it, performance is never electrifying – Suzuki doesn’t publish a 0-62mph time, but we suspect we’re looking at something around 15 seconds – and achieving any kind of speed requires you to wring out the little four-cylinder motor. But it’s fairly eager and the gearbox isn’t bad, despite its long shift lever.
However, the transmission could do with a sixth ratio, because cruising at motorway speeds is a noisy affair. The Jimny isn’t quiet at the best of times, but at the national speed limit, the engine is running at higher revolutions than is really necessary, leading to quite high fuel consumption and even higher noise levels. The car’s boxy shape and low weight also means it is severely affected by wind, with crosswinds battering the slab-sided bodywork.
Around town, however, it really isn’t too bad. Yes, the ride isn’t particularly supple and the steering is slow and vague, but the visibility is very good, you can see all four corners of the car and the clutch is light. The compact dimensions make life a lot easier, too, especially when manoeuvring, parking or just creeping through narrow gaps.
On country roads, the size remains a boon – particularly on the tighter back roads – but the Jimny is not what you’d normally call ‘fun’. The body rolls enormously in corners, the steering is horrendously vague and there’s little in the way of acceleration. But in its own way, the Jimny has some appeal; the shortfalls somehow give it a kind charm, and driving it becomes a bit of a challenge.
Take it off-road, however, and it’s more or less unstoppable. You get the low-range gearbox, selectable all-wheel drive and hill descent control as standard, and it all helps the Jimny plow through pretty much anything. The skinny tyres and low kerb weight will make it great in the snow, and the capability over seriously challenging terrain has to be seen to be believed. This thing will do stuff a Defender could only dream of. The only real catch is a slight lack of wading depth, which makes it harder to ford streams and ponds.
Verdict
The Jimny is a legend, and deservedly so. This commercial version has plenty of flaws, but it has plenty of charm, too. It isn’t the most comfortable vehicle on the planet, nor is it the most capable, but it has a no-nonsense attitude that’s hard to dislike. It’s like a working dog, going about its business without complaint and deserving of the occasional pat for its troubles. Buyers will have to have their eyes open when they sign on the dotted line, but for those in remote areas who need a small 4x4, the lovable Suzuki is ideal. And this commercial version is, if anything, better than the original.
Exterior Design
Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
