It's Officially Here! Suzuki PH Finally Launches All-New Suzuki Jimny

Depending on how you look at it, it's either the long wait is over or it came in ahead of time. That's because after nine months of clamoring for it since it first broke cover in June 2018 to finally receiving it in March 2019--or four to five months ahead of Suzuki Philippines' (SPI) initial target date of the mini SUV reaching our shores in either July or August of this year--the all-new, fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny is finally and officially here on our shores and in SPI's dealership network nationwide.

Dubbed as the Jimny All-Grip Pro due to its 4x4 system, Suzuki's new mini SUV has a simple, rugged design that's perfect for going off the beaten path and across any terrain to go to places where, thanks to its diminutive size, only it can go.

Proof of the Jimny's off-roading prowess is that it uses a ladder-frame chassis that is more resistant to torsion and is, therefore, better suited for rough terrain than a similar vehicle that uses a monocoque body. Shame on anyone who would tell you otherwise.

Underneath, the Jimny rides on a long-stroke 3-link suspension and rigid full-wheel axles front and back for better traction on uneven surfaces while its approach, breakover, and departure angles of 37, 28, and 49 degrees, respectively, allow it to clamber over rocks and ridges.

For greater dependability, the Jimny uses zinc-coated steel more extensively and has a more effective floor undercoating and seater coatings at panel edges to protect it against rust caused by water crossings.

And then there's its part-time All-Grip Pro 4WD system with its low-range transfer gear, which allows the Jimny to switch between 4WD and 2WD mode "to achieve optimal off-road performance and better fuel economy and enhanced cornering on paved roads, respectively." Furthermore, the Jimny reportedly produces more torque in 4-Low mode when going over rough terrain.

Completing the all-new Jimny's bag of off-road party tricks are its hill hold control, hill descent control, and brake limited-slip differential (LSD) traction control.

For its exterior, the Jimny's boxy exterior serves a purpose, and that's for better situational awareness because you know where all its four corners are. Its compact dimensions allow it to squeeze through narrow mountain trails and thick forests while its gross vehicle weight of just 1435 kg let it conquer mud and sand and slippery slopes--surfaces were much larger and heavier vehicles tend to bog down on. While the molded black bumpers, wheel arch extensions, and side sills protect the body panels from the inevitable scratches and dings caused by rocks and pebbles thrown by the 15-inch tires, it's a shame then that the lower part of the doors wasn't fitted with the same material.

Inside, the Jimny is clad in black "to minimize distraction," with the instrument panel and surrounding parts having a scratch- and stain-resistant finish and the steering wheel covered in leather "to withstand rough handling." A nine-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system resides high up in the middle of the dashboard, serving as both the audio and the GPS navigation system. Despite its diminutive size, Suzuki claims the all-new Jimny can accommodate 53 more liters of cargo than its predecessor, with small items capable of being storied in a removable luggage box "for easier organization."

As we previously reported, the all-new Jimny is powered by a 1.5-liter, inline-four K15B engine that produces 100 hp and 130 Nm of torque through either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Interestingly, Suzuki says that the mini SUV has a specially-designed flywheel for engine flexibility and improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels. Also new to the all-new Jimny are its lightweight resin belt cover and fuel tank. To enhance fuel efficiency, the Jimny has also been fitted with an optimized intake system and a long nozzle injector.

Like the Swift, Vitara, and Ertiga before it, the all-new Jimny benefits from Suzuki's Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) platform which makes use of lightweight, high tensile-strength steel in a body that, in a collision, efficiently absorbs and disperses impact forces across the vehicle frame to mitigate damage to the car and injuries to the occupants.

As for its pricing, our report on it a week ahead of the launch was nearly spot-on as we only missed out on the price for the two-tone GLX AT, which only costs a scant PHP10,000 more than the monotone one. The prices thus are as follows:

• Jimny GL MT – PHP975,000
  
• Jimny GL AT – PHP1.035 million
  
• Jimny GLX AT Monotone– PHP1.085 million
• Jimny GLX AT Two-Tone – PHP1.095 million

According to Suzuki, the all-new Suzuki Jimny is now available for reservations at all authorized Suzuki dealers.

Now, wait a tick...