Is the Suzuki Jimmy the new Defender?

[Clive]

"Can it pummel the landscape into submission?" he asks. No, but it will pummel the occupants into submission even if its twice as 'comfortable' as the previous model.

Diesel engines are certainly not dead or dying as claimed by some. In fact both petrol and diesel fuel light passenger vehicles are due to be killed off on the same date. Diesel will however carry on for heavier haulage and commercial vehicles, such as pickups that are used by farmers, make no mistake about it. The vehicles built in the 2030's with internal combustion engines will still be chugging along in the 2040's and even into the 2050's worldwide. Maybe not in towns though.
In the medium term, diesel sales will drop back from about 50% or the total sales to nearer 25%, which is where they sensibly should have settled anyhow.

Look a bit Nissan to me ;-). ......... but cheaper so it’s surely a no brainer vs a Navara ?

 

[Cowabunga]

Look a bit Nissan to me ;-)

Like a shrunken year 2000 Nissan Patrol. The one that started production with the 4.2 engine and ended up with a 2.8 six cylinder.
At least that had coil springs all round.

 

[cheggars]

Like a shrunken year 2000 Nissan Patrol. The one that started production with the 4.2 engine and ended up with a 2.8 six cylinder.
At least that had coil springs all round.

Coils all round on a Jimny. Leafs on the previous Sj

 

[Cowabunga]

Coils all round on a Jimny. Leafs on the previous Sj

That would make it more tolerable if not acceptable.
They are OK around the farm and for short journeys. Just very tiring and terrible things compared to more expensive alternatives, but there is obviously a fairly good market for them worldwide.
I do respect Suzuki's engineering and marketing actually. They aim for the cheap and cheerful end of the market with quality built products that deliver on their promise.

 

[cheggars]

well compared to a defender they'r 200% more comfortable, bit cosy if you got a large passenger.
dont honestly know what they like as a true road vehicle as this one is a offroader( lift Kit ,15" widewheels etc) that can go on the road.

 

[JP1]

That would make it more tolerable if not acceptable.
They are OK around the farm and for short journeys. Just very tiring and terrible things compared to more expensive alternatives, but there is obviously a fairly good market for them worldwide.
I do respect Suzuki's engineering and marketing actually. They aim for the cheap and cheerful end of the market with quality built products that deliver on their promise.

My neighbour has a new Ignis electric / petrol supermini SUV thing in an electric blue. I'm pretty sure it's the 4wd version too (if not they are available). Different little car and won the WhatCar True MPG awards this year

 

[Irish NZ]

The little jimny fits into a lot more markets that the defender ever could.

Remember the defender was only really popular in uk. Which was fine when it wasn't owned by tata... they really don't exist in the rest of the world and judging my the people who have moved to double cab utes on here they were losing a fair lump if the market in the uk because they are awful lumps of dog turd

 

[Daniel]

At £16k it's cheaper than a new John Deere gator?

I think it's a smart little thing, it looks 'right'.

 

[Valtra Man]

At £16k it's cheaper than a new John Deere gator?

Thats the reason I bought one last year. Was going to buy a can am utv but the jimny was cheaper, better heaters, air con so every window clear checking stock in the rain and cool in summer and the ability to travel fair distances on the road. Only thing I done was put chunky tires on it. Won’t quite go where the quad goes but neither does a utv.. Plan is after three years and the warantee is up put low ground pressure tires and lift it. A utv would be a wreck here after 3 years. Bit low as standard so need to pick places is my only real complaint. It’s obviously not a truck for long road distance either though..

 

[JP1]

While we're at videos, don't crash it:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/crash/new-suzuki-jimny-isnt-very-good-crashing

 

[Wellytrack]

While we're at videos, don't crash it:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/crash/new-suzuki-jimny-isnt-very-good-crashing

So it is the new defender then after all

 

[Sharpy]

While we're at videos, don't crash it:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/crash/new-suzuki-jimny-isnt-very-good-crashing

Probably still safer than a Defender though, and much safer than a UTV.

 

[roscoe erf]

its starting to look a bit like a defender

lack of diesel is not a problem - diesel is dead and will soon be taxed out of existence, petrol cheaper and more economical these days


cheap but could do with ability to tow

rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated

 

[Gong Farmer]

Daughter had an early Jimny and loved it. Then had to change so got a Vitara, which to me seems to have all the improvements over the old Jimny that the new Jimny has.