Suzuki Jimny

The interior of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny is rather plain and more on the utilitarian side. The retro-theme is retained in the cabin. A 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit dominates the dashboard. Everything in inside is boxy-styled with straight lines. There are some round edges as well. Hard plastics have been abundantly used in the cabin and that’s understandable. Suzuki, in line with the affordable pricing policy of its entire portfolio, wanted the same for Jimny. But the plastics are durable, leading to a solid build quality of the cabin.

The round climate controls at the bottom of the air-conditioning vents on the dashboard look nice. Further below are the power-window controls that aren’t placed on the door. The 2023 Suzuki Jimny gets fabric seats. The texture feels nice and the seats are actually comfortable for long trips with nice back-support. 

The multifunction steering wheel is similar to what’s seen in other Suzuki cars. There’s nothing exclusive here but parts-sharing does help to keep production costs low. The passenger-side fixed grab handles, exposed faux bolts, and the twin pod-like instrument cluster are all reminiscent of old-school SUVs. The interior of the Jimny complements its exterior well.

Passenger and boot space

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny is a three-door car with two doors in the front. The rear seat doesn’t get its own doors. But moving to the rear seat isn’t difficult, considering that the Jimny is a compact car. The wide-opening doors and cabin space make it easy to access for average-height Malaysians. But once seated and with the front seat in place, there will be hardly any legroom on the rear seat. The under-thigh support isn’t great either. The rear seat is best reserved for small children. The seat is pinched to the middle of the cabin to yield better legroom but that doesn’t really work. Headroom in the Jimny is among the best in its segment.

The two front seats are of course spacious like any compact SUV. Even with no telescopic steering wheel adjustment, there’s enough space for even six-feet adults to find a comfortable driving position. The front bucket seats come with lumbar support that helps during a long trip.  

The Jimny’s suspension is nicely tuned and comfortable for most parts. There’s a little bit of stiffness though. That doesn’t impede the ride quality much. 

With its compact dimensions, the 2023 Suzuki Jimny comes with only 85 liters of boot space. Folding down the rear seat increases the boot space to 377 liters, which is at par with subcompact crossovers.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny?

The car comes with a 40-liter fuel tank. 

Comfort and entertainment

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny comes with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. The display isn’t hugely crisp or impressive but it does come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The unit is positioned high up on the dashboard and it’s easy for the driver to glance and read while driving. The touchscreen takes time to respond and a few physical buttons would have served better.

Air-conditioning is a strong point in Suzuki cars and the same can be felt in the Jimny. It cools the car pretty fast.

Storage areas in the 2023 Suuzuki Jimny are limited. The cabin has only two cupholders. The door bins are only fit to hold a few magazines. There’s a smartphone slot in front of the gear lever. The back pockets on the front seat are quite handy.

Slab-sided, boxy, and squared out. That’s what probably best describes the 2023 Suzuki Jimny. The car has the classic off-road stance, looks aggressive and poised to perform. With small exterior dimensions, the Jimny forges the look of a powerful compact performer. It gets round LED headlights that are a throwback to the first-generation model. The five-slat grille is also retro-inspired. The profile reveals beefy wheel arches that lend a more muscular and off-road stance to the car. The Jimny has retro-looking rear taillights mounted on the bumper.

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny runs on 15-inch alloy wheels with gunmetal finish. It looks really nice with the car’s styling. The rear wheels are pushed back to yield the maximum cabin space. The spare tire is tailgate-mounted that further enhances the retro-themed look. The spare tire gets a casing but would have looked better if exposed. The doors of the Suzuki Jimny are large and allow easy entry and exit. 

What are the dimensions of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny?

The car measures 3,480mm in length, 1,645mm in breadth, and 1,720mm in height. The car has a 2,250mm wheelbase. 

What is the ground clearance of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny?

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny has a ground clearance of 210mm. It’s among the highest in the Malaysian compact SUV segment and helps the car negotiate bumps and potholes better.

The real-world fuel efficiency of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny is around 10kmpl. SUVs aren’t meant to be fuel efficient and neither is the Jimny. On highways, the mileage increases to around 14kmpl. 

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny is available in a single version in Malaysia. It’s hauled by a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter petrol engine that produces 101PS maximum power at 6,000rpm and 130Nm peak torque at 4,000rpm. The motor is mated to an all-wheel-drive, four-speed automatic transmission (AT). While the power output may not seem much on paper, it’s quite good for a lightweight and compact car.

The Jimny is a rather classic-styled SUV that’s based on the traditional steel ladder-on-frame chassis. Most of the boxy SUVs are mounted on a ladder-frame chassis and that causes a commanding road presence. The roof of many hatchbacks and compact sedans are visible from the driver’s seat of the Jimny. The car has gained a new, stiffer foundation since its 2019 edition that now supports the rear and front axles with separate differentials. The powertrain too is traditional with no turbocharge, and no hybrid. The Jimny is meant to be an off-roader and does serve the purpose to an extent. But it isn’t a true-blue SUV and pure off-roading may not be possible for the Jimny. The looks could be somewhat deceiving considering the performance. But it still adds up to an affordable compact SUV for urban customers.    

Is the 2023 Suzuki Jimny available in diesel?

No. The car is available with a 1.5-liter petrol engine only.

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny comes with impressive safety equipment. It has antilock braking, hill-descent control, and hill-hold assist. The car has side-impact door beams for crash protection. There’s a backup camera and reverse sensors for easy parking. Other features include three-point seatbelts, engine immobilizer and child-seat anchors.

The three-door Suzuki Jimny got a three-star rating in Euro NCAP tests.

How many airbags does the 2023 Suzuki Jimny have? 

The car’s cones with two airbags.

How many cameras does the 2023 Suzuki Jimny have?

The hatchback comes with a single reverse parking camera.

Value for money

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny is functional, handsome, and practical. It has a starting price of RM 174,900. With the Jimny, Suzuki wanted to make an old-school SUV with some modern features. For some buyers, the Jimny may not make sense as there are other crossover-SUVs in the market that comes with better features and are priced less. The Jimny also won’t be attractive to those who won’t mind paying a bit extra for travelling comfort. But buyers who want a rugged-looking SUV, can go for the Jimny. 

Warranty

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty, whichever is earlier. A two-year optional extended warranty can be availed at a price.

Are original spare parts of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny available in Malaysia?

All genuine spare parts of the 2023 Suzuki Jimny are available at the company’s workshops and service centers. Suzuki has an extensive service network and price of spare parts is low compared to other compact SUVs.

2023 Suzuki Jimny Renault vs Peugeot 3008

The Peugeot 3008 is a crossover-SUV and not a direct competitor of the Suzuki Jimny. The car offers a great ride quality and has a classy interior. The seats offer nice comfort for long-distance driving. At a price of RM 170,288, the Peugeot 3008 is expensive than many of its rivals. Also, it’s not a pure-bred SUV like the Suzuki Jimny, neither does it have all-wheel-drive. But it’s a worthy car for those who want better travelling comfort

2023 Suzuki Jimny vs Haval H9

The Haval H9 is a midsized Chinese SUV. The seven-passenger car is larger than the Suzuki Jimny in all respects. It’s spacious and offers great travelling comfort. The car is hauled by a 2.0-liter engine which is more powerful than the Jimny. But the powertrain isn’t fuel efficient and the Jimny fares better. Also, the cabin of the Haval H9 is a bit dated. But the car comes with an exhaustive list of features. Price of the Haval H9 starts at RM 185,000.

2023 Suzuki Jimny vs Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is a 7-seater SUV and is also one of the best equipped cars in its class. It’s not a direct competitor of the Suzuki Jimny. The X-Trail is a more worthy car than the Jimny is almost every respect, including price, features, and travelling comfort. The third-row seat isn’t much usable though. But the 2.0-liter engine is more powerful than the Jimny. The Nissan X-Trail has a starting price of RM 138,888. 

Is the 2023 Suzuki Jimny worth buying?

The 2023 Suzuki Jimny, with its boxy dimensions and high ground clearance, has undeniable charm. It has distinct retro-style looks and the car is a head-turner. Over off-road surfaces, the car returns a stellar performance. But the cramped cabin and uninspiring engine are the biggest drawbacks. The Jimny will appeal to buyers who prefer attractive looks and build quality over performance.