Always a popular little thing, the baby ‘Jeep’ that has formed a vital pillar of Suzuki’s UK model presence really came of age at the end of last year, when making its debut. Various sneak previews had already warmed up the market and thanks to an alluring blend of G-Wagen, Defender and, naturally, Suzuki design cues, to state that it performed an Usain Bolt off the starting-blocks would be an understatement.
In fact, the unceasing demand for Jimny, most of which has been remarkably patient, has led to an order bank for Suzuki GB that extends to October 2020! The company has performed all manner of logistical gymnastics in a vain attempt to place more models into the market from its allotted allowance but the list continues to grow. In many ways, had it been more freely available (the Japanese factory is working flat-out and is at its maximum production capabilities), Suzuki could have made a mint from the farming community alone.
As my first post-launch opportunity to drive the Jimny, I have to tell you that it is everything that you would expect an off-road biased machine to be. Its on-road manners are best described as ‘acceptable’…the steering works but it wanders…yet, the brakes are efficient…its stability is hindered by suspension ‘float’ (to provide a better off-road ride quality)…and so on. However, you soon forgive its idiosyncrasies, because Jimny is charming to a fault and it has been a long time since any car that I have driven (even some ‘exotics’) has attracted so much attention, all of which was positive.
Its carrying capacity is compromised but it feels more cabin spacious than the American Jeep Wrangler I tested earlier this year. The boot is briefcase manageable but the twin rear seats flop forwards and completely flat to create a two-bale capacity for outlying feed and shed comfort purposes. Jimny is an eminently practical little thing that is perfectly suited to serving the needs of agricultural, smallholding, or equine customers. That it is so easy, well-equipped and uncomplicated to drive, possessing a fabulously tight turning-circle and wondrously compliant suspension, is much to its credit. Its top speed is given as 90mph, with 0-60mph possible in around 11.5s, returning upwards of 40.8mpg and emitting CO2 at 178g/km (WLTP figures).
Interestingly, the normally aspirated and (frankly) boring 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine develops a modest 99bhp, allied to a peaky 95lbs ft of torque. Hooked up to a 5-speed manual gearbox, it has no difficulty in charging up hills in the higher ratios. Due to shortage of really tricky routes (insufficient rain!), I did not manage to test the lower set in the transfer ’box but I recall from testing late last year on a gruelling off-road ground that it is more than capable of that task too.
