Suzuki will launch its new Jimny – the first all new model in 20 years – locally in November, and while the diminutive off-roader is expected to retain its predecessor’s all terrain prowess, there one area that has come under scrutiny recently.
While the retro looking Jimny will ride on an old-school ladder frame chassis with a 3-link rigid axle suspension setup and AllGrip Pro 4x4 system, it features off-road tech in the form of hill descent control, hill start assist and a special off-road stability control mode, while safety tech includes dual front airbags, ABS, electronic stability control and brake assist across the range.
But while all of that conspires towards impressive off-road ability, the Jimny has scored rather poorly in the Euro NCAP crash tests – achieving just 3 stars. Simply put, it scored a 73 per cent adult occupant protection rating, 84 per cent for children in the rear seats, and only 52 per cent for pedestrians.
Disappointingly, its adult occupant protection rating was hindered by a steering wheel airbag that offered “insufficient pressure”, resulting in the driver’s head impacting the steering wheel rim. The front seats were found to only offer ’marginal’ protection against whiplash, and there was significant deformation of the passenger area in offset impact tests.
Combined with marginal dummy readings, protection for this body area was rated as weak. Although dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both driver and passenger, structures in the instrument panel and dashboard were thought to pose a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes, and protection was rated as marginal.
One of the Jimny’s key safety features was also criticised by Euro NCAP experts, concluding that its Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system "showed weak performance in tests of its pedestrian avoidance in daylight and did not even operate in low light."
That said, this is unlikely to deter Jimny buyers when it arrives on showroom floors in November. As a refresher, Suzuki has confirmed that South Africa will only receive one engine derivative – a 75kw naturally aspirated 1.5-litre – and will be available in three guises – GA, GLX MT and GLX Auto, with pricing expected to be R265 000, R300 000 and R320 000 respectively.
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FAQ
Q: What does the Suzuki Jimny cost in South Africa?
The Suzuki Jimny starts from around R389,900 for the base GL manual variant, while the top-spec GLX automatic will set you back approximately R429,900.
Q: Is the Suzuki Jimny safe to drive?
The Jimny scored a disappointing 3 stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, with particular concerns around steering wheel airbag pressure and front seat whiplash protection, making it less safe than most modern SUVs.
Q: How good is the Suzuki Jimny off-road?
The Jimny excels off-road thanks to its ladder frame chassis, 3-link rigid axle suspension, AllGrip Pro 4x4 system, hill descent control, and hill start assist, making it one of the most capable small off-roaders available.
Q: What engine does the new Suzuki Jimny have?
The new Jimny features a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 75kW and 130Nm, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Should I buy a Suzuki Jimny for daily driving?
The Jimny is primarily designed for off-road adventures rather than daily commuting, with basic interior appointments, limited space, and modest on-road performance making it better suited to weekend warriors than daily drivers.
Should You Buy It?
The Suzuki Jimny at R389,900 is a proper off-road legend wrapped in a retro package, but it comes with significant compromises. If you need the best small off-roader under R450,000 in South Africa and can live with the 3-star safety rating, cramped interior, and basic on-road manners, then absolutely go for it. However, if safety, comfort, or daily usability are priorities, you'd be better off with a Ford EcoSport or Renault Duster in a similar price bracket. The Jimny is brilliant at what it does, but what it does is quite niche, so buy it only if you genuinely plan to tackle serious off-road terrain regularly.
