2021 Suzuki Jimny: Expectations and what we know so far

Updated Apr 06, 2021 | Same topic: Car Sneak Peeks, Teasers, & Rumors

Likely a carryover but a price bump is expected.

The Suzuki Jimny is one of the longest-running vehicles in the automotive industry today. It was introduced in 1970 and has sold over 2 million units since. One thing that many car buyers admire about the Jimny is its timeless design that is kept by the Japanese car brand Suzuki despite going through various changes.

Despite being in the game for 50 years now, the Suzuki Jimny rarely undergoes new generations. The second-gen was introduced in 1981, 11 years after the production of the Jimny. The third-gen was introduced in 1998 and the fourth-gen was introduced in 2018 only.

JIMNY | "Nobody But Jimny" | Suzuki

If we are going to follow the timeline of the Suzuki, it seems like we will be getting the fifth-generation of the Jimny in probably around the next 15 years.  With that being said, it is safe to not expect any changes for the 2021 model of the Jimny since it has only been three years since the newest generation arrived. As such, a carryover is highly expected.

As of this writing, Suzuki Philippines hasn’t released any statement regarding the matter, while in other markets, there are no significant changes made on the Jimny as well. So for now, let’s take a look at what we can expect for the 2021 PH-spec Suzuki Jimny.

2021 Suzuki Jimny: Exterior

The exterior feature of the Suzuki Jimny is probably the number one reason why it is still adored by many car buyers up until this day. Ever since the first-generation, the Jimny already sports the round headlights and boxy-type body.

Suzuki Jimny front view

The 3-door Suzuki Jimny

At the rear end of the Jimny, the design of the spare tire mounted on the third door is also kept throughout the years. With that being said, we can expect that Suzuki will not be removing the said principle design for the newer generations to come if the Jimny will not be discontinued.

The Suzuki Jimny is an ideal vehicle for young individuals who want to own an off-road looking car but still have the finesse to it. It provides an ambitious look in the city and an aggressive appeal on off-roads. For those who are waiting for a design change exterior-wise, it seems like 2021 is not the year for you.

>>> Related: Evolution of Suzuki Jimny: What has changed across 4 generations?

2021 Suzuki Jimny: Interior

Inside, we are still expecting the same interior layout with the seats and dashboard. Suzuki did a great job in designing the interior of the Jimny as it also gives off an off-road appeal thanks to small attention to detail such as the rugged instrument gauge design and handlebar for the front passenger.

Interior view of Suzuki Jimny

The same interior layout is expected

Last year, reports came out regarding the proposals for a 5-door Suzuki Jimny. They say that the larger and longer wheelbase Jimny will be out first in India through Maruti Suzuki. Unfortunately, there are no big follow-ups for the said matter. According to reports, we might see the 5-seater Jimny in around 2022 or 2023. But Suzuki hasn’t released any details regarding the 5-seater Jimny so we still have to wait.

>>> Related: 2020 Suzuki Jimny Interior: A Closer Look [Philkotse Guide]

2021 Suzuki Jimny: Engine and performance

Suzuki Philippines markets the Jimny in the local market as a small off-roader that can take on any challenges on the go. With that in mind, it would be great to see a diesel variant of the Jimny since diesel engines produce higher low-end torque than gasoline engines which would be ideal on off-roads.

Suzuki Jimny engine

The 1.5-liter K15B gasoline engine

However, a diesel Jimny variant is still unlikely for the 2021 model as Japan doesn’t offer it as well. Both its homeland and the Philippines offer the Jimny with the same 1.5-liter K15B 4-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 100 hp at 6,000 rpm and 130 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.

The engine can be paired to two different transmissions depending on the chosen variant. Only the base Jimny GL 1.5 MT variant offers a 5-speed manual transmission. For those who don’t wish to drive a stick, Suzuki Philippines is offering both the GL and top-spec GLX variant with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

>>> Related: 2021 Suzuki Jimny 2-seater isn’t a bad idea at all

2021 Suzuki Jimny: On-board and safety features

No changes are expected as well for the technologies of the 2021 PH-spec Suzuki Jimny. This means that the Jimny will still be installed with the same 9-inch infotainment system available across all variants. It supports offline navigation, USB connectivity, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Suzuki Jimny rear view

The Suzuki Jimny is the go-to car for the city and off-road

Perhaps the best feature in the infotainment system of the Suzuki Jimny is the off-functions which include a clinometer, compass, altimeter, and barometer. All these instruments can be utilized during off-roading to determine the Jimny’s angle of slope, the outside pressure, and more.

The 2021 Suzuki Jimny is expected to still loaded with safety features such as SRS dual front airbags, pedal release system for the brake and clutch, side-impact door beams, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), hill hold control, hill descent control, reverse parking sensor, and ISOFIX tethers. The top-spec Jimny GLX variant is added with two extra safety features which are the brake assist function and reverse parking camera.

2021 Suzuki Jimny: Final thoughts

Since the introduction of the Jimny, it has proven that you don’t need to be updated from time to time to stay relevant. The classic and timeless design of the Jimny is still what is keeping the small off-roader in the game. With that being said, we think that the 2021 Suzuki Jimny will still do fine in the local market despite coming with no changes.

Round headlights of Suzuki Jimny

The design of the Suzuki Jimny never gets old

If Suzuki will release yet another generation of the Jimny, we can expect it to arrive after a long time. It seems like the element of time is Suzuki’s strategy to continue selling the Jimny. This strategy works as in 2018, Suzuki had to apologize due to high demand resulting in production shortage.

>>> Related: Which 2020 Suzuki Jimny variant should you buy? [Comparison Guide]

2021 Suzuki Jimny: Expected pricing

With no expected changes for 2021, we can all agree that Suzuki Philippines will likely keep the current pricing of the Jimny intact. The base variant of the Suzuki Jimny comes with a price tag at Php 1,055,000, while the top-spec variant is offered at Php 1,165,000. Just add Php 100,000 and you will get a two-tone Jimny available only for the top GLX variant.

However, the price of the 2021 Suzuki Jimny could increase once the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) finalizes its safeguard tax. DTI’s safeguard tax will impose an additional Php 70,000 per unit of imported passenger cars and Php 110,000 per unit of important light commercial vehicles.

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Know more about Suzuki Jimny 2024

Suzuki Jimny

The Suzuki Jimny 2023 is a 4x4, ladder-frame mini-SUV. In the local market, this model is available in three different variants. There’s the GL 1.5 MT, the GLX 1.5 AT (Monotone), and the GLX 1.5 AT (Two-tone). Their prices range from Php 1,258,000 to Php 1,330,000. 

Under the hood, the Suzuki Jimny uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of producing up to 101 horsepower and 130 Nm of torque. The entry-level GL variant may come with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the GLX exclusively uses a four-speed automatic transmission. All then come with the Suzuki 4x4 All Grip Pro drivetrain. 

Size-wise, the Suzuki Jimny has a length of 3,480mm, a width of 1,645mm, and a height of 1,725mm. It then has a wheelbase length of 2,250mm, and a ground clearance of 210mm. 

Locally, the Suzuki Jimny technically doesn’t have direct competitors. Then again, the closest off-road-focused recreational vehicles available locally are the Toyota FJ Cruise and the Jeep Wrangler. Size-wise though, the Jimny is more in line with the Hyundai Kona, MG ZS, Geely Coolray, Kia Seltos, Chery Tiggo 2 Pro, and Mazda CX-3, among others. 

₱ 1,258,000 - ₱ 1,330,000

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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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