√Which 2022 Suzuki Jimny should I buy?

Wondering which 2022 Suzuki Jimny to buy? We answer some of the most commonly asked questions that pop up around Suzuki’s popular pint-sized off-roader.

Suzuki is best known for making compact cars with budget-friendly appeal, and the 2022 Suzuki Jimny compact off-roader fits the bill.

With massive enthusiast appeal from the four-wheel-drive community, and equal interest from more moderate drivers who just like the chunky styling, there are a lot of questions to answer about the Jimny.

Here are some of the most commonly asked Suzuki Jimny questions answered in simple terms to help you answer the question, ‘Which 2022 Suzuki Jimny should I buy?’.

Which 2022 Suzuki Jimny is best?

The good thing about the Jimny is that the range is incredibly simple. There are just two models, Jimny Lite and Jimny.

The Jimny has a few cosmetic and equipment upgrades compared to the entry-level Jimny Lite, both are available with a five-speed manual, but only the better-equipped Jimny has the option of a four-speed automatic.

We recommend the fully equipped Jimny over the Jimny Lite. While it is slighty more expensive, the added features represent good value.

To find out more about the differences, keep reading.

How much is a 2022 Suzuki Jimny in Australia?

Pricing for the Suzuki Jimny Lite manual costs from $26,990 plus on-road costs. The Jimny manual kicks off at $28,490 plus on-road costs, and the Jimny automatic starts at $29,990 plus on-road costs.

Right now, the Jimny is in high demand, with demand outstripping supply. This means Suzuki isn’t offering drive-away deals, like it does in some other models in the range. It also means some dealers may be marking up cars – it always pays to shop around and make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Suzuki Jimny Lite manual – $26,990 before on-road costs
Suzuki Jimny manual – $28,490 before on-road costs
Suzuki Jimny automatic – $29,990 before on-road costs

Is the 2022 Suzuki Jimny a safe car?

The Suzuki Jimny carries a three-star safety rating out of a possible five stars. Testing took place in 2019, with stricter criteria applied to more recently tested cars.

Testing highlighted low results for vulnerable road user (pedestrian and cyclist) protection at 52 per cent, safety assist systems at 50 per cent, and adult occupant protection rated 73 per cent.

Standard safety equipment includes front and side airbags for front seat occupants, and head-protecting curtain airbags for front and rear seats.

Autonomous emergency braking (which can detect a potential impact and apply the brakes in an emergency to reduce the severity of an impact), lane-departure warning, driver fatigue detection, and high-beam assist are also standard on both Jimny models.

ANCAP’s testing of the Jimny discovered the passenger compartment lost structural integrity in a frontal offset crash, and the driver’s airbag inflated with insufficient pressure, allowing the driver’s head to contact the wheel.

Full details on the ANCAP report can be found here.

Is the 2022 Suzuki Jimny a fuel-efficient car?

Because it’s quite light and small, the Jimny returns good fuel efficiency.

Jimny manual models claim fuel use as low as 6.4L/100km. In urban driving, Suzuki claims 7.7L/100km, and on the open road, 5.7L/100km.

Jimny automatic models are rated at 6.9L/100km. Around town that claimed figure rises to 8.2L/100km, with highway consumption of 6.1L/100km.

Those figures are not as efficient as you might get from a similarly sized hatch or road-going compact SUV, but are still quite frugal for a dedicated off-road vehicle.

Is the 2022 Suzuki Jimny petrol or diesel?

Only one engine is fitted to the Jimny in Australia. It’s a 1.5-litre non-turbo petrol four-cylinder engine producing 75kW at 6000rpm and 130Nm at 4000rpm.

In Japan, the Jimny also comes with a 47kW/96Nm 660cc three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This engine (and changes to the body work) ensure the Jimny complies with Japan’s rego-saving and heavily regulated kei car (or light car) compliance standards that don’t apply here.

How long is the 2022 Suzuki Jimny waiting list?

Wait times can stretch from six months to 12 months. It may all depend on the car you’re after – Suzuki may have some colours in lower demand than others, which will shorten wait times.

Same goes for transmission choice, with automatics facing longer wait times than manuals in most cases.

As with all new cars, the situation continues to change with component shortages and shipping delays key reasons for the extended wait times.

What’s the difference between a Suzuki Jimny and a Suzuki Jimny Lite?

The Suzuki Jimny is available in two variants, the entry-level Jimny Lite, and the higher-spec models simply called Jimny (or Jimny GLX in Queensland).

The differences on the Jimny Lite include features like manual air-conditioning controls, a missing interior roof light and luggage area 12-volt power plug, no front fog lights, manually folding mirrors (instead of power folding), and 15-inch steel wheels in place of alloy wheels.

The infotainment system also changes, with a push-button radio that includes a CD player in the Jimny Lite, instead of a touchscreen (but no CD) player in the Jimny. Both have Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, though, and two-speaker audio.

As a result of the missing screen, the Jimny Lite also goes without a reversing camera.

Other changes see LED headlights in the Jimny swapped for halogen lights on the Jimny Lite, and different finishes on the mirrors (plastic) and doorhandles (black) on the Jimny Lite, in place of the glossy mirrors and colour-matched handles on the Jimny.

Finally, the Lite comes only with a manual transmission, whereas the Jimny is available with either a manual or optional automatic.

Where do they make the 2022 Suzuki Jimny?

All Suzuki Jimnys sold in Australia are made in Japan.

Globally, the current model Jimny is also manufactured in India, but those vehicles are largely for the Indian market, with a small number exported to South America.

Is the 2022 Suzuki Jimny automatic?

The Suzuki Jimny comes with a choice of manual or automatic transmission depending on the variant.

The higher-specification Jimny is available with a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. The cheaper Jimny Lite model comes only with a five-speed manual.

Is the 2022 Suzuki Jimny a 4WD?

The Suzuki Jimny is a traditional four-wheel-drive vehicle.

This means it has a part-time 4×4 system operating in rear-wheel drive for on-road conditions, but with a driver-engaged four-wheel-drive system with high- and low-range for use when the going gets tough.

The Jimny also uses a separate ladder frame chassis, as seen on utes and heavy-duty 4x4s like the Jeep Wrangler. Front and rear axles are a rigid design with coil springs to improve off-road articulation.

Is the Suzuki Jimny a good 4×4?

Because the Jimny uses body-on-frame construction, with rigid front and rear axles, and a low-range transfer case, it has all the preferred elements for exceptional off-road ability.

Factory ground clearance measures 210mm, and the Jimny boasts 37-degree approach, 49-degree departure, and 28-degree rampover angles. All helped by compact dimensions, short front and rear overhangs, and a short wheelbase.

The compact size also makes for excellent manoeuvrability on tight bush tracks, but the little petrol engine means you don’t have the safety net of effortless torque like you might have in a larger diesel alternative.

The transfer case has a 2.002:1 reduction, which teams up with 4.425:1 in first gear and 4.090:1 in the differentials for a maximum crawl ratio of 36.233:1. It’s not really very low compared to other serious off-roaders, but much better than ‘soft-road’ SUVs that lack low-range.

We’ve ventured off-road with the Jimny numerous times, and with each review we’ve been impressed with the out-of-the-box capability. Check out those reviews below for more detail.

2022 Suzuki Jimny Lite review
2021 Suzuki Jimny v Jeep Wrangler
2021 Suzuki Jimny v 1977 Suzuki LJ50

Does the 2022 Suzuki Jimny have a diff lock?

The Suzuki Jimny does not come equipped with factory differential locks.

Open differentials are equipped as standard with no genuine option to upgrade. Support from the aftermarket is comprehensive, with limited-slip differential and locking differential options available depending on what you’re after.

That’s on top of a broad range of aftermarket customisation options with suspension upgrades, bullbars, roof and rear carrier options, rock sliders, side steps, lighting upgrades and more readily available.

Does the 2022 Suzuki Jimny have a sunroof?

No Jimny variant is equipped with a sunroof in Australia.

While earlier versions of the Jimny were available with a folding rear roof for a partial convertible experience, the new Jimny comes as a fixed hardtop only.

No glass roof or sunroof option is available from Suzuki, but once again, it’s possible to have an aftermarket sunroof fitted. But with a range of options available, it’s recommended to speak to an installer to find the right roof for you.

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