Suzuki Jimny SUV (1998-2018) | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

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I knew what I was getting, so all this nonsense about dated looks, poor speeds etc didn't get me. I live in the country with poor roads and heavy winters and have to have a car that's sturdy and reliable day after day. And Jimny is simply best on the market.

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I sold my convertible and bought a Jimny when I moved to the mountains due to the chance of bad winters. Jimny was the only 4x4 I considered as I don't need a big truck, I've previously had a modified Pajero and my Jimny in stock form is more capable off road. A Jimny may be a supermini in size but it's a proper 4x4 in use. Even on road tires it will climb over obstacles that heavier trucks on off-road tires can struggle with. If you live in mountainous regions or areas with bad winters, definitely consider a Jimny, they're incredibly tough and durable, very low maintenance, running costs are more then tolerable considering its capabilities. I have no reservation about owning another, recommending or driving it anywhere, in any weather.

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The best car i've ever had. Previously owned cars costing 10 times this, but this car is lovely, fun, easy, reliable and i can park it anywhere!

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Perfect - this is my 6th suzuki 4x4 (2nd jimny) and every single one has been totally 100% reliable. Build quality looks cheap but in practice is far better than it appears. Nothing else really compares with these (maybe panda 4x4?) And you have to realise and appreciate shortcomings of a tiny 1.3 litre 4x4, you can't compare it with a bigger gas guzzling off-roader - once you do that you realise how good suzukis are!

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The Suzuki Jimny Sierra is a great little vehicle - very happy with it, so far. As well as its much lauded off-road abilities, I was surprised to find it is a great vehicle for city driving and parking in crowded shopping center carparks. You sit high up with a good viewing position, like any other SUV - but you can also park it with less fear of other people's car doors damaging the paintwork because the Jimny is quite narrow. I was initially hesitant about the small 1300cc motor, but keep the revs up and you keep up with the traffic flow without worries, even on freeways. It may also be an advantage for some people that the small motor means you are less likely to get pinged for speeding fines. Acceleration is a bit slower than normal, but it is adequate. My main concerns are with accessories - Suzuki does not offer seat covers and you can't use standard seat covers because of the small size of the seats. The windscreen needs a tinted sunband across the top. They must be so cheap to manufacture when the glass is manufactured, I don't understand why they are not standard for all cars & SUVs. I had a strip of window tinting installed on my Jimny's windscreen. Another significant irritation is that although the Jimny has central locking, only one of the two keys supplied has a remote control to use the central locking. Why doesn't Suzuki supply both keys as standard? It is an extortionate A$ 340 to get the second key. Another aspect is that there is no button to lock all the doors while you are driving in the city. Suzuki really needs to finish off the central locking system.

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I have laughed a lot, while reading "carbuyer" review. All I can say, they just don't understand what they review. If one compared Jimny to Nissan Juke or Fiat Panda, that only means he does not understand anything at all in off-road vehicles. The real rivals for Jimny are: Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, old Nissan Patrol. Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, etc can be compared, but are in different league. First of all, one has to understand a simple fact: Jimny is an off-road vehicle. If you don't go off-road, don't even consider Jimny. Jimny is one of those old–school off roaders, which can get you there and back, no matter what's on the way. Because of it's small dimensions, it is quite useful in town. An it can somehow get you from a town to the point, where you leave the highway. It's cruise speed is 80kph, 90kph is ok, 110kph is bearable, 120kph is from gas station to gas station. Because of it's size, it's light. This allows weak engine. Weak engine allows weak gear box, transfer case, and so on up to wheels. This makes Jimny price to be the half of rivals price, which are, as I have mentioned, Wrangler, Defender, Land Cruiser. It's not as comfortable as them. Again, thanks to low price. Regarding the comfort: I once had 17 hours off-road ride, almost non-stop in Jimny. Felt good afterwards. Summary: if you go off-road, Jimny is best value for money for 2 persons. If you don't, you don't need it.

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+++Pluses+++ Cute looking SUV that's handy for short trips. Excellent ground clearance for occasional poorly paved country roads. Low-range gears for proper off-roading (which I don't use mine for). Fun to drive on short trips and in snowy conditions. - - -Minuses- - - Uncomfortable on long journeys due to intrusive high-rev engine noise. Air ventilation very weak and very poor, windows prone to fogging up in winter. Too much body roll. Weak engine, there should also be a turbo as a standard fitting. Miniscule boot space, not for suitcases. I recommend this car for someone who wants a small 4x4 around town and suburbs but not for long journeys.

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I love it

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This is my second Jimny. I used to drive Land Rover Freelanders. However, I became tired of the unreliability of Land Rover and found myself looking at alternative 4x4's. I initially discounted the Jimny until I read owner reviews and found it had quite the following. Those who own the Jimny tend to love it. Pros - I think the Jimny is a nice looking car. It is well priced and I regularly achieve the combined fuel economy of 39mpg. Both my Jimnys have been very reliable. To drive, the Jimny tends to improve after it has covered 20k, it is nippy (ish) and can be a lot of fun to drive once you get used to how it drives. I have done a little off roading and it was very capable. Our recent bad winter made me even more thankful for the Jimny. One evening, my road home was blocked by a bus stuck on ice so I had to take a side road which had not been cleared. The Jimny made very light work of a road that was essentially impassable - so impressive. Cons - As said before it sits at approx 4,000rpm at 70 mph, that does become tiresome. Both my Jimnys have had their brake disc's replaced at only a few thousand miles (£200+). Granted, this may be incidental or due to my driving style. However, my local garage was surprised that this would happen on a new car with lower miles. The infotainment system in the Jimny Adventure. The DAB radio has never really worked and the system can be troublesome. Service is due every 9,000 miles. Overall, I would recommend the Jimny, it is one of the best cars I have ever owned.

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I could go on all day long about this fabulous little car and advise you to try one and forget what the experts say, but I will not. I will sum my five years with it with just one word: ADDICTIVE.

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I live along a trail which is popular with the off road fraternity. They mostly think it's quite challenging but I never see them in mid winter. My 16 year old Jimmy has done me proud for the last 10 winters although I have had to use snow chains on many occasions. My previous car was a Hilux Surf, used to bring building material up to the cottage. Once the rebuild was complete I didn't need all that power and the Jimmy was the obvious replacement. However I quite often drive the one hundred miles to relatives in Herefordshire and guess what, it's one of the fastest cars on the road. Yep I know the road like the back of my hand and the legal limit for the whole journey is 60mph but I am continually held up buy the likes of BMW and Audi who's drivers only seem capable of straight line driving. One hundred miles two and a half hours and the pleasure I get as the Jimmy overtakes them is worth millions. I hate motorways but if I have use them it's a case of find a big truck and sit behind it at 55mph and turn the stereo up. I have been driving for over 60 years and along with the Europa I had in my youth the Jimmy has been the greatest fun but also the most reliable.

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My second Suzi Jimny, so I knew what I was getting. OK, so there are more sophisticated cars around but it's a fun little car with attitude, perfect for taking to the beach or for parking in town. It will tow a small trailer, carry a canoe, and stow a dozen heavy boxes without complaint, and the all round visibility is excellent. On the minus side, the transmission develops an annoying whine under pressure, the suspension can be a bit 'stiff legged' and the turning circle is pants, but apart from that, it's a smashing little car and I'd be tempted to get another when the time comes.

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I read the reviews about the Jimny and ignored them. The jeep is great to drive. It takes just over £30 to fuel up and it lasts a long time. Being small and narrow its great in getting me anywhere I want to go. Its easy to park has a real small turning circle and is quite nippy to drive cruising easily 70 with no problem at all. The ride isn't as refined as a Range Rover but thats to be expected. I wanted a good 4x4 and couldn't afford or didn't want to fork out thousands of pounds for a beaten up landy so this was the next best choice. I really like it. Sure the boot is small. I removed the rear seats the boot is very big now. Running costs: I own a Toyota van now thats expensive parts-wise and a Honda CR-V. Any car or van with a reputable badge is going to charge you for the parts. The car comes with a good spec. I can easily stow stuff on the roof and the little car is as reliable as they come. My advise is to ignore the snobs and try one. It's fun to drive and will get you quite literally wherever you wish to go.

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I work in Kuwait borders & this lil' demon went to no man's land more than once. The first to ever enter the post-Gulf war danger zone & IT IS THE BOMB! Jimny rocks big time. On the sand where this lil' fella goes even a wrangler wouldn't dare follow. I would drive circles around any tracked vehicle in the quick sand, & only a hovercraft can go where my Jimny swims in the dunes.

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My car is reliable and safe. Maybe not the best performer but i like the reliability.

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Great small 4x4. People say it's bad on the motorway and that it hasn't got much power. Whoever says that clearly hasn't driven a Jimny. I have owned mine since December last year and it's very good on the motorway. It's cheap to run and keeps up with faster cars off the line, too. I have found its happy to cruise down the motorway at about 65mph but will be able to easily make it up to 90mph with out any problems. The build quality is very good and style is good for the price – people forget it's one of the cheapest 4x4 on the market . Mine has done everything I have asked of it and is more than capable of doing everything I needed to

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I owned this car from new between March 2005 to March 2010, absolutely brilliant car, my second Suzuki 4x4. I had a SJ410 Santana Soft Top before and that was fantastic. I am 6 foot 2 inches and can weigh up to 20 stone, I get fed up with the Tonka Toy remarks and people taking the juice out of the car. Just remember Top Gear and the little Suzuki doing the 4x4 Challenge with the Range Rover and the Toyota… We got stuck on the A12 just outside of Ipswich in late 2009... We went across country, four of us in it full luggage and bikes… It saved our bacon that day, big time… The convertible one of the last of them, before Suzuki stopped making them, was superb in the summer and with the option of the plastic back conversion, I wish I never had sold the car for £999 (big mistake). These are fantastic little 4x4s, they go anywhere with the right tyres on them… I am just in the process of buying my first hard-roof version… By the way have you seen the proposals that have come off the drawing board for the new model, the idea has been shelved but if we all push for it, what a car… Reliability never failed me not once in 40,000 miles… A couple of cosmetic issues replaced quite willingly by the dealer, no big deal… I bought a Volvo C30 new after this car and what a disaster in comparison for customer service! If you can put up with the jibes and love 4x4s this is the car for you, only the Panda 4x4 Diesel Cross comes close. In Italy they love these things in the mountains. They are lucky they get the diesel model over there, yes a diesel Jimny… It is a shame that Land Rover dont make a car of this size for everyone for about £15,000. Suzuki I am really proud of you and your company.

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A SUPERB LITTLE CAR WITH BIG BALLS, great off road, more than satisfying on the road with good mpg for a 4x4, good heaters, easy to park, nothing has gone wrong, and has 120k on the clock, no signs or wear on the tough and easy to clean interior, far better than the Daihatsu Terios. If you want a small 4x4 then buy one, NOW

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The Suzuki Jimny is a real off roader, despite it doesn't have any of a luxury vehicle, which is not needed if you are really thinking about buying it for short trips and occasionally off road. But what you really need to expect from it is a real fun drive, good off roading capability, easy parking, practically zero maintenance cost, and good performance (talking about a 1.3-litre Petrol engine). It is not nearly a family car. It can be used as a second car, tough, or for a young person with no kids or family yet... The Suzuki Jimny is not a fast car, but it's really strong for a 1.3 Petrol 4x4.

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Twice it has hesitated before starting, otherwise I would have scored it as a 5

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It's no BMW, Merc or Audi. In some respects it's much better. Let me explain. It snows a lot where I live, the weather generally is poor throughout the year and winters in the north of England are quite miserable on top of the hill I live on. The Jimny, or James as I call him privately, is more than capable. I'd much rather drive a BMW, Merc or Audi. Who wouldn't? But in the snow, this little car leaves them all sliding about on the road or not even moving at all whilst I glide past in a car that cost £1000 second hand. It is uncomfortable, I never want to sit in the back, most of the time it's a two seater whilst we cart bails of hay and other animal feed stuff about, the engine is great up to 35mph. Seriously though who needs to go above 40 on the motorway anyway? I heard above 50 your lungs explode. Its wipers are rubbish, the main headlights are like candles, stereo is poor but the heating/AC is decent enough. Its 4x4 capability, though, is unreal, lots of Navara's etc near me...they didn't like the snow this year, it's apparently too slushy for them – the wrong sort of snow, wrong sort of mud etc. James just goes through anything like a slow fat kid chomping their way through chocolate. Relentless. So in summary I both hate it for its cheap naffness and love it for being utterly brilliant at everything except refined or fast. It is neither refined nor fast. It just does.

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Brilliant little car! I like how you can use it on road just like any other car but also take it off road if you want. Very good little off-roader and good in snow too! Rear wheel drive isn't all that good though off road or in the snow as it slides and skids very easily, although it is very fun for drifting in snow... where it is safe to do so.

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I needed a cheap vehicle for work that would be okay for unpaved roads and I found a vehicle that I fell in love with that would handle anything. I raised mine two inches and put offroad tyres on it. I use my Jimny everyday commuting and driving to building sites for survey work. It goes WAY beyond all the other vehicles I have worked alongside, except a 20 ton JCB (on tracks, not the 4CX, they get stuck before the Jimny!). I've gone through muck that has required a tow for new Land Cruisers and Defenders time after time. When I work onsite, my Jimny is the only vehicle that goes where I need to, all the other site workers literally have to walk through the mud. Ok, drawbacks. It's proper offroad, the ride is harsh. It's very slow on the motorway, you drive with the lorries unless you want to cruise at 4000-4200rpm at 70mph - not good. The gearbox requires probably the most effort to shift of any vehicle that I have owned, not smooth (I've had two Jimnys now, the first one was hit by a jealous Mitsu Shogun). The kingpin bearings are weak and offroad use (like I do) you are looking at replacement c15-30k. I do this myself. My verdict: if you are on a budget and don't do a ton of motorway miles, and want the cheapest proper offroad machine, the Jimny (with some modification) will equal or keep up with nearly anything out there, including tracked JCBs.

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It's had a fault from the start that Suzuki are unwilling to do anything about.

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The best for whot i like to do with it.

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Have only had it a few weeks but very happy. Especially having 4 wheel drive in this weather! Had an old vitara a few years ago and loved it, jimny is proving to be a worthy successor. So far so good!

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Yes Green thumbs up