The Suzuki Jimny is now 50 years old. So what?

Updated Jun 03, 2021 | Same topic: Evolution of Cars

The Jimny nameplate is quite old. But guess what, it’s obviously an advantage.

The Suzuki Jimny is a four-wheel drive, off-road mini- SUV. It’s been around since the 1970s and since then, Suzuki has sold a whopping 2.85 million Jimny units, in no less than 194 countries.

JIMNY | "Nobody But Jimny" | Suzuki

Now what’s impressive about this cute off-roader is that it pretty much kept its main vehicle character design throughout its four generations.

The currently available fourth generation JB64W/JB74W Jimny is still built on a ladder-frame chassis although it now utilizes a different suspension system. Suzuki kept the recirculating ball mechanism, as well as the part-time four wheel drive.

A picture of the 4th gen 2020 Suzuki Jimny on a tunnel road

The Jimny looks like this now but only a little has changed when it comes to its mechanicals

The Jimny model is now 50 years old, and is still selling very well despite not evolving from its roots. So what makes the Jimny so popular even after 50 years? And, does a long running nameplate have advantages at all?

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

The Suzuki Jimny nameplate is 50 years old and that’s not a bad thing

Established Customer base

Fans of the Jimny are very loyal and yes, most of the young Jimny owners today might have been inspired by their uncles, aunts, parents, and grandparents who too might have owned an older generation Jimny.

This is the same for many other long running nameplates out there like most muscle cars and many full size SUVs like the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Mitsubishi Pajero.

A picture of a 1st gen Jimny parked in a car show

The 1st-gen Jimny very much looked like the 1st generation Land Cruiser. Jeep like, and tough

It also helps that despite the minute changes made to the model, the Jimny still retains a lot of the characteristics that it’s known for. And we’re sure that most off-road guys, if not most car guys are resistant to change. So yes, it can be said the Suzuki precisely knows the kind of people who are buying the Jimny.

>>> Related: SUZUKI JIMNY 2012 FOR SALE

50 years of research and development

Despite saying that the Jimny’s characteristics didn’t change much over the years, there are indeed some minute improvements that have been done to improve it.

After all, the said model’s 50-year run is a long time, so we’re sure that the engineers at Suzuki have also taken advantage of the many automotive engineering developments that sprang up along the way.

A picture of the Suzuki Kata on a parking lot

The boxy 2nd-gen Jimny was also sold as the Suzuki Katana [Source: オーバードライブ83]

Examples of improvements include the move to the Suzuki K-series engine in its second generation models, changing the suspension to a coil-sprung system with the third and fourth generation, and the shift to vacuum locking hubs to electronic four wheel drive.

Of course, Suzuki also made changes on the appearance of the Jimny throughout the years making it more modern. However, it’s still very much true to its nature as a small, boxy SUV albeit with a lot of retro modern styling cues.

Brand Recognition

Being around for 50 years also does wonders for brand recognition because people have had the chance to witness what the Jimny can do throughout all those years. And with the spread of the internet, even to a greater degree.

As such, the Jimny has become a mind worm, or rather a meme of sorts to a lot of car enthusiasts. Now don’t get us wrong about that meme part, because memes can become positive too because in the case of the Jimny, it has become a persistent nameplate especially among off-road enthusiasts.

>>> Related: 

A picture of a 3rd gen Jimny on a parking lot

The 3rd-gen Jimny was rounder but it still had the same off road capabilities [Source: Mytho88]

These are the reasons why the Jimny is so famous. At the same time, this is why a long-running model nameplate can become a huge success in the automotive industry.

For more automotive news, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.

Know more about Suzuki Jimny 2024

Suzuki Jimny

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. 

Unveiling the NEW 2024 Suzuki Jimny 5-door in the PH | Philkotse Quick Look

>>> 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.

Suzuki Jimny front view

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.

Suzuki Jimny interior view

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.

Suzuki Jimny front view

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.

Suzuki Jimny interior view

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.

Suzuki Jimny rear view

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

Explore
Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

View more