The Suzuki Jimny is one of those fun but confident cars. You don’t need to spend a long time behind the wheel to understand why so many South Africans adore it. It is compact, cheerful, surprisingly capable, and full of personality. After driving the 1.5 GLX Automatic, I can confirm the Jimny is a true contender.
The first surprise was the space. I’ll be honest, I had a moment where I thought I’d have to fold myself in half. Instead, I hopped in, stretched out, and immediately smiled: there’s proper room in here! From the driver’s seat, I had a commanding view and plenty of elbow room. As a bigger guy, I felt comfortable right away.
Visibility is one of the Jimny’s secret strengths. The square windows, straight bonnet, and high seating position make it incredibly easy to place on the road. The real story is how well it handles daily life. Powered by a 1.5-litre engine that produces 75 kilowatts and 130 newton-metres of torque, the Jimny smoothly moves through traffic with a lightness that makes you smile. On the freeway, it sits happily at the limit with no fuss, perfectly content to cruise rather than chase. The ride is firm in a reassuring way, reminding you there is real off-road heritage in the chassis, but still comfortable on long highway trips. Steering is light with a small footprint, making turning and manoeuvring easy.
Everything changes the moment you leave the tar. On one drive, I turned onto a muddy, rutted, uneven sugar cane road near Tinley Manor after a storm. With 210 millimetres of ground clearance, a ladder frame, rigid axles, low-range 4WD, and generous approach and departure angles, the Jimny never flinched. Whether climbing slippery inclines, crossing potholes, or weaving through wet gravel, the Jimny felt planted and purposeful. This is where the Jimny stops being a cute, characterful town car and comes into its own.
The Jimny’s practicality is one of its biggest strengths, and I genuinely loved how naturally it slipped into my everyday routine. The side-opening rear door is brilliantly convenient, and loading is super simple. The boot fits groceries, shopping bags, or a couple of small suitcases. Fold the rear seats, and it becomes far more useful than you expect for its size.
The GLX model brings strong value. A 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto LED headlights, climate control, electric fold-in mirrors, and multiple airbags give the cabin everything a modern driver wants without clutter.
The Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX Automatic is energetic, charming, and seriously capable. It fits daily driving with ease and thrives the moment you take it off the beaten path. Compact in size but big in personality, it is the kind of car that turns simple drives into little adventures. For anyone wanting a lifestyle 4×4 with real ability and real character, I reckon the Jimny is an outstanding choice.
www.cmhsuzuki.co.za
087 250 2375
06 Sunset Crescent, Umhlanga Ridge
Words: Justin Scott