The Suzuki Jimny is one of the cars that can drive through any terrain. With its compact size and 4x4 capability, the Jimny can be your daily driven car during the weekdays and transform into an off-road machine on weekends. It’s like the Kei car of 4x4 vehicles. As such, the Jimny became popular in the local and global automotive market.
Suzuki Jimny through the years
To highlight the Jimny’s evolution over the years, Budget Direct Insurance released renders of every generation model of Suzuki’s compact off-roader. With that, let’s see what has changed across four generations of the Suzuki Jimny.
First-generation Suzuki Jimny (1970-1981)
The Jimny wasn’t actually a Suzuki from the get-go. It was originally developed by the Hope Motor Company of Japan in 1967, and the vehicle was known as the HopeStar ON360. The vehicle used a 21 hp Mitsubishi 359 cc engine but it didn’t do well in the market. Then, in 1968, Suzuki purchased the manufacturing rights for the HopeStar ON360.
Suzuki re-introduced the ON360 in 1970 with the launch of the LJ10 (Light Jeep 10), and this marked the official beginning of the Jimny nameplate. LJ10 was developed to be a vehicle that could drive through tight spaces that other larger 4x4 vehicles couldn’t access. The LJ10 is a three-seater vehicle.
This is how the 1st gen Jimny looks like
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Two years later, Suzuki launched the LJ20. It comes with a restyled front grille that features a vertical rather than horizontal slats. The LJ20 proved its capability when it finished the Mexican 1000 Rally.
In 1975, the LJ50 was introduced featuring a 500cc engine. It now also comes with a four-seater capacity as the spare wheel was moved to the rear door. The LJ50 was also the first overseas production vehicle of Suzuki.
The first-generation model had its curtain call in 1977 with the launch of the LJ80. This was the first time that Suzuki offered the vehicle with a four-stroke engine. By the end of the first-generation, Suzuki offered three variants of the Jimny: soft top, fixed roof, and pickup.
Second-generation Suzuki Jimny (1981-1998)
The second-generation Suzuki Jimny began production in 1981. The Japanese automaker wanted to make its off-roader have a more comfortable drive experience. It focused on making the Jimny to be a lifestyle vehicle while still maintaining its off-road and rugged appeal. The second-generation Jimny also showed Suzuki’s goal of further expanding its market reach as it started producing vehicles in more markets outside Japan.
In 1984, the Jimny got a makeover inside and out. It has been equipped with front disc brakes, a new dashboard layout, a new seat design, and a revamped front grille. Then, in 1985, the SJ-Series was introduced in North America.
A rugged off-roader
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Third-generation Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018)
The third-generation Jimny arrived in 1998. During this time, the Jimny comes with a more rounded body as compared to the boxy composition of its predecessor. Suzuki decided to give the Jimny with a more rounded body to make it look more urban since it’s a vehicle that was being used on and off the road. During its launch, the Jimny is powered by either a 1.3-liter gasoline or 1.5-liter diesel engine. In 2013, Suzuki gave the Jimny a design update. It was fitted with a new front bumper, restyled grille, and revamped fog lights.
Third-gen Jimny featured more rounded styling
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Fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny (2018-Present)
The fourth-generation Jimny features a boxy body once again as it blends classic and modern design cues. In the Philippines, the Jimny is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that delivers 100 hp and 130 Nm of torque. The engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. As a Suzuki compact off-roader, the fourth-generation Jimny comes with a 4x4 All Grip Pro drivetrain. The retail price of the 2020 Suzuki Jimny starts at Php 1,055,000 while the top-spec variant comes with a price tag of Php 1,175,000.
The present Jimny's look
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Know more about Suzuki Jimny 2024
The Suzuki Jimny 2024 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.
>>> New and used Suzuki Jimny 2024 for sale in the Philippines
Suzuki Jimny Launch
Suzuki Philippines previewed the Suzuki Jimny at the 7th Philippine International Auto Show, which was held last October 24 to 28, 2018 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
In 2019, the mini off-roader was finally launched in the Philippines. Variants available in the local market include the base GL MT, GL AT, and the top-spec GLX AT that can come with a monotone or two-tone body paint.
Suzuki Jimny Exterior
The Suzuki Jimny 2024 flaunts a well-designed and off-roading look which many Filipinos are familiar with. It's reminiscent of a compact Jeep Wrangler and a Mercedes G-Class. Though noticeably smaller compared to the previous generation, it got wider. As for the dimensions, this vehicle measures 3,644mm long, 1,646mm wide, and 1,646mm high, with a wheelbase rated at 2,250mm.
A mini off-roader from the Japanese car brand
Variants come in either a set of LED headlamps or halogen headlights affixed with fog lights. The muscular grille is attractive, adding an edge to its fascia. Other highlights include the arching hood, squarish wheel arches, roof gutter, and big rear tailgate.
Suzuki Jimny Interior
The vibe inside the Suzuki Jimny Philippines is somewhat retro, in a good way. Its dashboard is wide, and complete with useful features, while the redesigned steering wheel is premium to hold and now bears audio control. Standard fixtures include a central door locking system, chrome door handles, power windows, assist grips, and center console cupholders.
Interior view of the Suzuki Jimny 2024 Philippines
Four adult-sized passengers can fit inside the vehicle's cabin which is upholstered in fabric. The cargo space of the mini off-roader is 85 liters, but folding the rear seat adds more space of 377 liters. As for the top-ranging GLX variant, it is suggested for those who want nice extras like a clinometer useful for off-road purposes, automatic air conditioning, and cruise control.
Platform & Chassis
This front-engine, four-wheel-drive vehicle proudly bears Suzuki’s LWB Platform. Amidst the glorious changes in its interior and exterior, the Suzuki Jimny mini SUV still has the same reliable and efficient chassis introduced 20 years ago. The standard suspension across all variants is a 3-link rigid axle with coil springs for the front and rear. Meanwhile, solid disc brakes are used for the front and drum brakes for the rear wheels.
A timeless design from Suzuki Philippines
Technology & Safety
Aside from the mentioned LED lights, clinometer, auto door locks, and other useful innovations, a nine-inch infotainment system is installed as a standard feature in all variants. The said system supports offline navigation, USB connectivity, and Bluetooth connectivity, and mirror link connectivity for Android to provide entertainment on the road.
It is equipped for the off-road
In terms of safety, the mini-SUV comes with door beams for side impact, control for hill hold and descent, SRS dual front airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), and an electronic stability program (ESP). On the other hand, the top-of-the-line GLX series has an added brake assist function and a reverse camera for parking easier.
Suzuki Jimny Engine & Drivetrain
The Suzuki Jimny Philippines is powered by a 1.5- liter K15B 14 gasoline engine. It generates 100 hp output at 6,000 rpm and 130 Nm torque at 4,400 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission is used on the GL AT and GLX variant, while a five-speed manual transmission is used by the entry-level GL variant.
A capable vehicle for any type of road condition
Cruising using this mini SUV in the metro is a breeze. At a favorable speed, overtaking is decent. Maneuvering is also not a challenge due to its stability control. Because of its 4x4 system, conquering challenging roads such as mountainous and slippery tracks is easy.
Locally, the 2024 Suzuki Jimny comes in eight different colors. For the GLX Two-tone variants, its options include Solid Kinetic Yellow, Metallic Brisk Blue, and Metallic Chiffon Ivory. The Monotone GLX and GL trims may also come in Solid Jungle Green, Solid Medium Gray, and White. Lastly, the GL Variant with the monotone paint job can come in Pearl Bluish Black 3, and Metallic Silky Silver.
As mentioned, the Suzuki Jimny technically competes against the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler. In that regard, this small mini-SUV is more than a match against those two when going off-road is concerned.
When compared to other similarly sized models in terms of practicality though, the Jimny doesn’t have the best interior space. It does, however, pack plenty of driving amenities, as well as a decent safety kit.
Suzuki Jimny 2024 Price List
Let's check out the Suzuki Jimny 2024 price in the Philippines.
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Suzuki Jimny GL MT | ₱1,258,000 |
| Suzuki Jimny GLX AT (Monotone) | ₱1,320,000 |
| Suzuki Jimny GLX AT (Two-Tone) | ₱1,330,000 |
Suzuki Jimny Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of the best off-roaders money can buy
- Cool retro-modern styling
- Easy to drive
Cons
- Not that roomy
Suzuki Jimny FAQs
1. Which Suzuki Jimny Philippines color is best?
It’s difficult to tell which color is best since this depends on each one’s preference. However, the Suzuki Jimny Pearl Bluish Black 3 and Suzuki Jimny White seem to be a popular choice.
2. Does the Suzuki Jimny come with an automatic transmission?
Yes, it does. Particularly, only the base variant GL 1.5 comes with manual transmission. The rest three are automatic.
3. Is the Suzuki Jimny reliable?
The Jimny model is now 50 years old and is still selling very well in no less than 194 countries. That fact alone has convincingly proved the reliability of this car.
4. How much is Suzuki Jimny 2024 Philippines?
Suzuki Jimny 2023 price Philippines ranges from 1,258,000 PHP for the entry-level GL 1.5 MT to 1,330,000 PHP for the top-of-the-line Suzuki Jimny GLX 1.5 AT.
5. Is the Jimny 2024 an SUV?
Yes, the Suzuki Jimny is a SUV.
₱ 1,258,000 - ₱ 1,330,000
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