Suzuki Jimny review
The Suzuki Jimny is a tiny, tough-as-nails 4x4 that’s overflowing with character and has the off-road ability to embarrass SUVs twice its size.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
7th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
In a world of lookalike cars, the Suzuki Jimny is a breath of fresh, mountain air. It’s a car that knows exactly what it is and makes no apologies for it: a small, rugged, and astonishingly capable off-roader. With its boxy shape, round headlights, and proper ladder-frame chassis, it’s like a miniature Land Rover Defender or Mercedes G-Wagon, but with a cheeky personality all of its own. Launched in 2018, the latest generation became an instant hit, winning hearts with its retro-cool looks and giant--slaying off-road prowess. This isn’t a car you buy with your head. It’s loud on the motorway, the boot is tiny, and it’s not particularly practical. But none of that matters. The Jimny is an experience, a statement, and a whole lot of fun. If you want a car that puts a huge smile on your face and can genuinely go anywhere, there is simply nothing else like it.
Pros
- Stand-out retro styling that’s impossible not to love
- Genuinely incredible off-road capability
- Holds its value extremely well due to high demand
Cons
- Very limited practicality, with a tiny boot and rear seats
- Not very comfortable or refined on the road
- Engine choice is limited to just one small petrol unit
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The Jimny’s interior perfectly matches its exterior: it’s rugged, functional, and full of character. Forget soft-touch plastics and fancy trim; this cabin is made from hard-wearing materials designed to be wiped clean after a muddy adventure. The chunky buttons and switches are designed to be used with gloves on, and the whole layout is simple and logical.
The top-spec SZ5 model comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that includes satellite navigation and smartphone connectivity, which feels like a real luxury in a car this utilitarian. It’s a basic system but it does the job. Ultimately, the cabin is all about function over form, and it feels honest and purposeful because of it.
Comfort
Comfort is not the Jimny’s strong suit. On the road, the ride is bouncy and you’ll feel every bump and pothole. At motorway speeds, there’s a lot of wind and engine noise, so long journeys can be quite tiring.
The front seats are reasonably comfortable, but the rear seats are small and best reserved for children or very short trips. But then, you don’t buy a Jimny for a cosseting, luxurious ride. You buy it for the adventure, and its raw, unfiltered connection to the road is a huge part of its charm.
Quality
The Jimny feels like it’s been built to survive anything. The plastics are tough, the grab handles are solid, and everything feels like it’s been screwed together properly. It’s a world away from the plush interior of a modern crossover, but its ruggedness is a key part of its appeal. It feels like a proper tool for a job, and that job is having fun off-road.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
The Jimny is a very small car, and that’s reflected in its interior space. It’s a strict four-seater, and while those in the front have enough room, passengers in the back will find legroom is very tight. Headroom, thanks to the boxy shape, is surprisingly good for everyone.
Getting into the back is a bit of a squeeze as it’s a three-door car, so it’s not the ideal choice if you regularly need to fit child seats. Think of the back seats as occasional extras rather than full-time accommodation.
Boot space
With the rear seats in place, the boot is almost non-existent. At just 85 litres, it’s barely big enough for a couple of shopping bags. For any real-world use, you’ll need to fold the rear seats down. Doing so opens up a much more practical 377-litre space, which is about the same as you’d get in a typical family hatchback. The boot opening is wide and square, and the rear door is side-hinged, which is a cool, classic 4x4 touch.
Versatility
The Jimny’s versatility isn’t about carrying people or luggage; it’s about where it can go. Its small size, short overhangs, and proper four-wheel-drive system mean it can tackle terrain that would leave most big, expensive SUVs stranded. It’s incredibly easy to manoeuvre in tight spots, both in the city and on a narrow green lane. If your idea of versatility is being able to explore the great outdoors, the Jimny is unbeatable.
Driving
Driving experience
The Jimny has a real split personality. On the road, it’s a bit of a handful. The steering is slow, it leans in corners, and it feels out of its depth on the motorway. It’s a car that requires your full attention to drive.
But take it off-road, and it transforms into an unstoppable hero. Engage the low-range four-wheel-drive system, and this little terrier will scrabble up muddy hills, wade through streams, and crawl over rocks with astonishing ease. It’s an absolute joy to drive in its natural habitat, and its capability is genuinely shocking for such a small, affordable car.
Performance
There’s only one engine option: a simple 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces a modest 100bhp. It’s not fast. The 0-60mph sprint takes around 12 seconds, and it feels strained at high speeds.
However, the engine is perfectly suited to the Jimny’s character. It’s responsive at low speeds and provides enough grunt for off-roading. It can be paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a slightly sluggish four-speed automatic. The manual is the better choice for getting the most out of the little engine.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
You might think such a small car would be cheap to run, but the Jimny’s old-school four-wheel-drive system means it’s quite thirsty. You’ll be lucky to see fuel economy figures much higher than 35mpg, and its CO2 emissions are quite high for its size. This is the price you pay for its incredible off-road ability. It’s not a car you buy to save money on fuel.
Value for money
When it was launched, the Jimny was a bargain. However, it was so popular that Suzuki couldn't keep up with demand, and high emissions figures meant it was withdrawn from sale as a passenger car in Europe. This has created a bizarre situation where used examples are now selling for more than they cost new. So, while it’s not cheap to buy, it holds its value incredibly well, meaning you’re unlikely to lose much money when you come to sell it on.
Reliability & Warranty
Suzuki has a good reputation for building reliable cars, and the Jimny, with its simple, robust engineering, is known for being tough. From new, all Suzukis come with a three-year warranty. Given the mechanical nature of the car, it should be a dependable companion, but it’s always worth checking for signs of hard off-road use when buying a used one.
Safety
Safety features
This is an area where the Jimny’s old-school design shows. When it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP in 2018, it was only awarded a three-star safety rating. While it does come with modern features like autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning, its fundamental structure isn’t as advanced as more modern crossovers when it comes to crash protection. This is a significant compromise to be aware of.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
Suzuki kept things very simple with the Jimny, offering just two trim levels for the passenger version.
- SZ4: The entry-level model is quite basic. It comes with 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, a DAB radio with Bluetooth, and electric front windows.
- SZ5: This is the one to have. It adds 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, and the 7-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and smartphone connectivity.
Engines
The engine choice is as simple as it gets. All Jimny models use the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 100bhp. This is paired with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP Pro selectable four-wheel-drive system, which includes a low-range transfer box for serious off-roading. You can have it with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic.