A few years ago, I tested the Suzuki Jimny Van, the “reborn” van version of this off-road gem, redesigned to comply with emission regulations, up to 3,000 meters in the Italian Alps. During that test, I explored every aspect of the off-road capabilities of this Japanese jewel.
Now, I’m revisiting it in a less extreme context, with an in-depth test of its everyday usability, among the sandy beaches and countryside of Denmark.
Suzuki Jimny Pro: our tops&flops
The Suzuki Jimny has a sad story in Europe in its latest generation. Shortly after its launch, it was pulled from the market after just a year due to emissions regulations, only to be reintroduced as a commercial vehicle. Now, however, it faces being discontinued again. This makes our test a swan song for the model. It’s a shame because the Jimny is one of the few truly old-school, ultra-compact off-roaders still available. It’s affordable, easy to handle in the city, and excels off-road—its natural habitat. It’s an old-school vehicle because of its mechanical nature, yet it’s fun, charming, lightweight, adventurous, and equipped with an excellent engine, though a six-speed gearbox would have certainly been an improvement.
What we like:
- This car is so much fun;
- Perfect for both city driving and the wilderness;
- Being a cargo version gave it a larger trunk.
What we don’t like:
- A rearview camera would have been helpful;
- It revs too high on the highway;
- The infotainment system falls short.
Appreciated as it is
Let’s dive straight into the driving qualities. The Jimny, particularly in this van version, was neither designed nor intended to be the most comfortable vehicle on the market. In fact, buyers know they’ll have to accept certain compromises: no center armrest, no seat or backrest adjustments (which is noticeable for taller individuals like me), and it’s quite noisy.
But none of that matters because it’s incredibly easy to drive. The engine is a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline unit producing 102 hp, paired with a lightweight design meant for tackling mud, sand, and other challenging terrains. Even in urban settings, it’s surprisingly peppy at city speeds.
You can choose between rear-wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, with the option of low-range gears, although these aren’t necessary on paved roads or mild terrain.
In rear-wheel drive mode, it’s already quite responsive and helps reduce fuel consumption. Admittedly, it’s not a frugal vehicle, with a declared consumption of 7.7 liters per 100 km, but in the city, it can achieve around 5 liters per 100 km, even less at speeds of 50-60 km/h.
The real advantage in urban settings, beyond its compact length of just 3.6 meters (including the spare wheel), is the turning radius and light steering, which make maneuvers a breeze. Its ground clearance also makes it easy to park on curbs, common in cities like Milan or Rome. However, it lacks sensors and a rearview camera. While its large windows and compact size help, the spare wheel can still pose a risk of bumping into other vehicles.
On the highway, however, it’s out of its element. The manual gearbox has only five speeds, where a sixth gear would have been very welcome. At 110 km/h, the engine exceeds 3,000 rpm, and at 130 km/h, it goes well beyond 4,000 rpm.
Safety and storage
In everyday use, the Jimny remains agile and fun. Everything is within easy reach, from the air conditioning levers (a rarity these days) to the conveniently placed buttons for disabling certain safety systems next to the steering wheel.
That said, it lacks blind-spot monitoring, but features like lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, and cruise control (non-adaptive) come standard.
These features are handy in city driving, where constant attention is required. Additionally, the removal of the rear seats has given the Jimny a trunk capacity of 863 liters with a payload limit of 270 kg. Impressive for such a small vehicle, allowing you to carry plenty of items, even in rugged environments.
One downside is the suspension. It features rigid axles, which are ideal for off-road use but a bit stiff over city speed bumps.
Launched in 2018, this latest Jimny generation is arguably the most attractive yet. Boxy and stylish, its range of colors gives it a youthful vibe. Its compact shape makes it almost cubelike, but the large windows, wide doors for easy access, and generous tailgate opening are all practical touches. Just be mindful of where you park due to the rear swing gate.
It’s evident that this is a six-year-old design, with fully halogen headlights and an old-school radio (the Danish importer added a Sony display with wired CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for this test). Yet, these quirks are part of the Jimny’s charm—focused on practicality with no unnecessary frills.
Everything is physical, and while the interior plastics may feel utilitarian, they are high-quality, durable, and well-assembled. The seats are made of technical fabric and, despite the lack of adjustability, are comfortable. It’s a small car, so everything feels tightly packed, but for those who demand little, it’s a great companion for two-person trips without too many compromises.
