Suzuki Jimny Commercial
By Bill McCarthy
The highly capable little and iconic Jimny is now classed as a commercial vehicle, and to borrow an advertising phrase, does exactly what it says on the tin.
Its offroad capability is amazing and its compact size means it can get to places other off-roaders would find difficult.
I tried it on a challenging off-road course in Wales and was amazed by its capability and the gutsy 1.5 litre engine. Drop it into low gear mode and you feel it could go virtually anywhere.
Ideal for farms and commercial operators and features a ladder frame, the three angles 3-link rigid axle suspension and ALLGRIP PRO 4WD. However, the load space behind the mesh screen is just 838 litres. You might get a couple of hay bales in there, but space is limited.
Now available as a commercial vehicle only, it’s no-frills funky retro persona still attracts attention, particularly from younger admirers.
For those enthusiasts who want it other than for commercial use, Suzuki dispensing with the rear two seats should not be a problem and it doesn’t exactly look like a van. However numbers are limited.
It is like a box on wheels, with high ground clearance, prominent wheel arch guards and a lat and square bonnet design, for better visibility on uneven terrain.
Considering how cheap it is, there is plenty of standard equipment on the single specification Jimny which starts at £16,796 excluding VAT (£19,999 including VAT.
Kit includes air conditioning, ALLGRIP PRO selectable 4WD with low transfer gear, DAB radio, Bluetooth, 15-inch black steel wheels and cruise control with speed limiter. A retro touch is the CD player. Some people still use them
To pretend it is anything other than utilitarian would be nonsense and for a loyal following including younger people that is the charm. It has an industrial look inside, no fancy soft touch finish with harsh plastics the order of the day, making it easier to keep it clean.
The controls have a boxy look and feature big dials, buttons and functional rocker switches and a multi-function steering wheel. Central is an information screen.
There is not a lot of space between the driver seat and the steering wheel as the mesh dividing frame restricts seat movement. There are two gearshifts, the main gearbox and the stubby shift lever for four-wheel drive.
On the road, the 100bhp just about delivers although not the most economical. It does deliver a pleasing raspy tone under acceleration, which calms down on the motorway. There is some road noise and some wind noise from the large door mirrors.
The ride can be a bit bouncy and it wallows a bit on corners, but it is an engaging and enjoyable drive.
Safety features include Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS) which employs automatic brakes to help avoid a collision, and hill hold and descent control that support driving on slopes. In addition, eCall, an emergency messaging function following a collision is also available as standard equipment.
Factfile
Suzuki Jimny Commercial
Price: £19,999 (inc VAT)
Mechanical: 100bhp,1.5 litre, 4cyl petrol engine driving all wheels via five speed gearbox
Max speed: 90 mph
Combined mpg: 37.5
CO2 emissions: 173g/km
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles
On the road 