Size does not matter in the world of 4×4

The story of the 3- and 5-door Suzuki Jimny stretches back to 1970.

Few could have imagined, 56 years ago, that the Jimny would become an iconic name in the small 4×4 segment.

Over the decades, the Jimny has gone through several generations.

The fourth generation, introduced in 2009, still has a strong presence on the roads today.

Pierre Diedericks, a branch supervisor at Swakopmund, says the car’s success is easy to understand.”

It is trustworthy, reliable and gets you home safe again,” he says.

He adds that many owners of the three-door model are gradually upgrading to the five-door version for “that little extra space.”

The popularity of the five-door is especially evident during the festive season, when more of them are seen on the roads.

Clients in this segment include older drivers seeking a small, affordable vehicle that can go almost anywhere.

The latest Jimny models come standard with a reverse camera, making parking easier in tight spots.

Even off-road, it provides clear all-round visibility, helping drivers negotiate challenging terrains.

The 1.5-litre engine is more than capable of handling almost any terrain. Since the engine is simple, capable and reliable, the car remains popular among its owners, Diedericks says.

Driving in sandy conditions is easy thanks to the vehicle’s weight of around 1.1 tonnes and its dimensions of 3 9651 6451 720 mm. With correct off-road tyre pressure, no dune is a match for this compact 4×4.

Many adventurers enhance the Jimny with accessories such as roof racks, mini jerrycans, winches and snorkels, making it more ‘adventuristic’.

The five-door interior is optimally used, offering storage space between 211 and 332 litres depending on seat configuration.

Diedericks explains that Suzuki offers different models by starting with a standard engine as the base and developing derivatives to suit client needs.

The engine produces 75kW and is paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its seemingly basic appearance, the Jimny comes equipped with modern safety and convenience features, including airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution function, alloy wheels, a multifunction information display, steering wheel controls and cruise control.

Fuel consumption is estimated at 6.4L/100km under normal driving conditions, while the 40-litre fuel tank gives it a range of around 600km on a full tank.

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