2023 Suzuki Jimny Lite on/off-road (inc. 0-100) review
You've been asking for us to film a Jimny for ages and we FINALLY got our hands on one! This is the new entry-level 2023 Suzuki Jimny Lite - it's about as basic as four-wheel drives get. Paul Maric drives it to see if it's any good.
Hardness tester, noise and lane keeping results: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
More Suzuki content: www.carexpert.com.au/suzuki
More Suzuki Jimny content: www.carexpert.com.au/suzuki/j...
Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 0:40
Interior 2:48
Infotainment 3:56
Safety Tech 4:23
Practicality 4:46
Off the road 7:48
On the road 15:24
0-100km/h 18:57
Verdict 21:45
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#suzuki #jimny #review
Nice review Paul! Good to see a manual transmission review again on your channel. It appears to be one of the vehicles that has made you the happiest while reviewing 😂 Manual transmissions and Jimny's are definitely a great drivers experience and they're not all even sports cars (especially the Jimny) 😂😂
Every review I’ve seen on the Jimni sees the reviewer grinning like crazy regardless of its limitations. What a great little car. 👍
@@bendgeddes Yeah I find it strange how he's having a blast grinning all the way and then says it's not great.
How can you review cars if you can't drive a manual..? Zero skill, probably has a automatic only license..
@@bendgeddeso
I'd choose automatic any day. It's a lot easier to drive, especially off road. Manual is just too hard to enjoy it.
When everyone else puts in all the electronic witchcraft and acronyms possible, Suzuki puts the old 4x4 leaver back in and sells more vehicles than they can build! 👏👏👏
True that!
Simplicity is the keyword. Affordable motoring these days is hard to come by
@@MichaelMengo these things arnt cheap or affordable tho lol
Fun fact: Suzuki used a 4x4 push button on the former gen model which was significantly more efficient. They brought back the lever because the drivers wanted it back.
@@mitchell5064 They should be, but pent-up demand for a compact full 4WD is inflating the price significantly. If you can get a Jimny at the sub-$30K LIST price, it is quite reasonable, but people purchasing them as a compact Off-Road vehicle and people purchasing them purely for the perceived Retro styling has inflated the cost significantly, especially on the second-hand and Ex-Demo market. Even at the inflated market price, they are still significantly cheaper than any other new off-road vehicles on the market.
Every time I see this car it puts a smile to my face ❤
It's funny seeing Paul not having much to talk about safety tech, infotainment etc
A very fair review in my opinion. Ive had mine nearly four years and use it daily for short and long runs up to around 400 miles and a little off road. I live in a rural area with lots of narrow roads and it excels. No plans to swap it at all.
Since most roads have had speed limit reductions in the last 10 years, having a vehicle capable of travelling above 110km/h is not as fun as it used to be. The lack of maintenance and extensive potholes also mean that any economic benefits of low-profile wheels and tyres is offset by having to repair and replace your wheels every 3-6 months. That said, the abuse and closure of 4WD tracks in the last few years does take the fun out of having an off-road vehicle. I'm not criticising the "nanny state" of closing 4WD tracks and restricting speed limits; I am criticising the irresponsible drivers who have taken us to this point.
@@SalvoDanWhy shouldnt be a speed limit man??? Even at speed limits accidents happen.
A truck rental company here on the Gold Coast has got a few of these, whenever they deliver the truck, the guy opens up the back, puts down the ramps and drives a Jimny off and goes back to the office 😁 funniest thing to watch!
Live out in the country in the third world. When we have problems with our road it's a serious 4WD trip to town. Owned a few car based SUVs but I'm always getting underbody damage. Jimny has done the job brilliantly. Our "highways" have an 80kph limit if you are lucky enough to ever get up to it & it reaches 80 quickly enough. This combined with narrow streets & small parking spaces makes the Jimny my best purchase ever. Only criticism is that it's easy to damage the front seatback materials as the back seats are permanently down to use the back as a boot.
I love this thing so much, it's like a small G Class you'd actually wanna drive off-road
Video doesn't do it justice, seeing it in front of you is soooo gooood i was shocked
After driving small engine cars in Europe for decades, 1.5 seems ok to me. Nowhere near me is there a speed limit over 100 km/h and besides there is so much aftermarket equipment and customisation for these it’s exciting to make it how you want, including faster if need be. I ordered one in July, should be here in a few weeks.
This car is one of the best Jeeps. It can go anywhere easily.
What else could you possibly need. Great little car.
Happy to be a New Suzuki Jimny Lite owner 😁👌❤️🔥
Im from Papua New Guinea, enjoy your videos very much..regarding driving a manual 4x4 I find it easier driving over rocks and up mountains then an automatic...the feeling of being in absolute control while driving is much more easier...
I enjoyed seeing how much fun Paul had
I have own a Jimny for 1 year. So much fun. I like the basic of it. Always a smile on your face when driving it fore short distance. You need more comfort and faster cars to enjoy the jimmy's basic........
I've been waiting for this!
From the views thus far, this vehicle is adored over many!
I absolutely love these little 4x4’s
Love the stripped down version. You can customise it in the aftermarket the way you want! Love it!!
I often wonder if a Lite version would have been better for me. The factory premium infotainment system is lacklustre; but replacing it with an Alpine ILX-F509A would be a waste. Installing the Halo 9", or even a el cheapo no-name Android headunit would be more justifiable in a Lite.
I totally love the Jimny, great little car! loved to have one! grat review Paul!
You made me go outside and take my Duster for a spin :) Lovely review, keep it up! I'm subscribing right now!
Doesn't matter how negative a review could be, everyone and I still wants one!
I love these things, they always make me smile, I used to pinch my Mum's jacked up Subaru Leone Wagon back in the day and go up the beach, went everywhere so long as you kept it on valve bounce.
I just picked up my blue lite yesterday. It looks great
Bought my Jimny in manual, GLX, 2 tone black and ivory new in 2020 for 27k, best decision I've ever made 😁 Such a fun car and the attention you get. So far I've got a 2" suspension lift and GVM upgrade, bullbar, winch, air lockers for front and rear diffs, extended diff breathers, larger aftermarket wheels and A/T tyres. She goes anywhere 😎 I'd recommend paying the little extra for the GLX over the Lite and if you're buying either but don't plan on a lift kit, atleast replace the factory shocks with aftermarket stiffer ones that are the same height to eliminate the sketchy body roll feeling at highway speeds. Also if you can drive manual then pick it over the auto, as the auto is only 4sp and is a few seconds slower in the 0-100 compared to the 5sp manual.
Right now the GLX is over 40k💀
@@lisamuel41 2nd hand?
@@craigsampson3386 check on carsales, used Jimny around 35-40k 😂. Such a good car but market is crazy
So how much extra$ did all that come too?
@donotwantahandle1111 probably around 20k in aftermarket extras including labour to fit, forgot to mention towbar and rock sliders too, probably other things I'm forgetting atm. I also paid around 3k on factory optional extras at the dealership when new. Its insured for 50k.
thanks so much Paul for doing a review of the Jimny lite! 😄awesome! will you do a review of the Suzuki Jimny GLX in the future?
The jimny has been my dream car for a good 10 years, im at the point where I can finally start looking at getting the process to buy it started and I haven't been this happy for years, I will be putting extras on it but bring it on😁 happy to cruise on the highway I don't like speed anyways🤣
Great review. I have the Sierra 2022 model in NZ and absolutely love it. It won't win any open road records but is comfortable enough around town and will sit easily on 100kmh on the open road, as long as you don't have a strong headwind. Growing up as a kid in Port Moresby in the early 80s, my dad had a 1974 LJ50 which I learned to off-road in. That 550cc 2stroke was sooo cool and I wish I could get one in NZ today. With the gen 4 Jimny, Suzuki has truly paid homage to its lineage by keeping to the basics in a modern vehicle. The gen 4 is destined to be a classic imo.
It has all i'd ever want. Good review ,thanks
Great review by the team at Carexpert! It was hilarious seeing Paul thrash a car that isn't his. That's why rental cars are the fastest cars on the planet.
I got the 2022 GLX manual in jungle green. First thing I don’t was 2inch lift followed immediately by a long range fuel tank then rock sliders, winch, tinted windows, bonnet insulation plus bonnet gas struts, rear diff locker, compressor, hidden winch mount, rear tub, inside door handle caps, 3D floor mats, rear track mount, 235 MT tyres, spare tyre cover, bonnet protector, weather shields and the list just goes on. I live on the west coast of Tasmania and this rig is unstoppable Offroad, to be honest even with stiffer suspension it’s garbage on the bitumen but it’s bullet proof when taking on impassable terrain. Spend some extra on the jimny and it goes on terrains that bigger more expensive rigs refuse to travel along. Just a tip.. avoid fitting a roof rack as this is not the vehicle for roof tents or loads ontop unless you like the feeling of spending heaps on fuel and tempting it’s tipping point. I love this rig, will never sell my jimny. ✊
Ordered our in 2019, took delivery in 2020. We love it, its pretty much unstoppable off-road though obviously deep water or mud could be a problem. We'll find out soon, were doing the Gibb River Rd this year. On road it's like you say, fun around town but requires that you drive it full time when you're doing country runs or freeways. Nothing registerable can touch it on sand. It's my wifes weapon of choice for most driving. We run a manual, she prefers them and the Auto is pitifully slow(er). Thats about it really, dont buy it if comfort is your top priority, youll be dissapointed, it's not so much uncomfortable as it requires that you drive it and it really does move around on its suspension. Were upgrading the to an ARB/Old Man Emu lift and suspension kit before the next trip, we'll let you know. Edit: Well thats as funny as! I just found out you're a mech engineer thats barely used his degree same as me, as well as a car nut!
Another wicked review, Thank you
Looking forward to see these being towed behind a big RV... haha. Great review as always Paul!
I smiled sooo much when I saw this in my feed 😆😆 You'd be surprised at how "decent" it handles in the corners. Fanging it down the Great Ocean Road, plenty of tyre squeal from the stock tyres but I never felt like it was going to tip over 😆 And that 300mm is purely for the diff breathers. It could probably wade at least double that. Also, currently achieving 5.8L-6.2L/100km on the daily commute. 👍
Tyre squeal is seriously affected by tyre pressure in the Jimny. Mine came from the dealer at 34psi; dropping to the factory-recommended 26psi got rid of most of it, as well as improving handling on ungraded (corrugated) gravel and dirt roads.
@@SalvoDan they were at 27 psi on that trip.
All terrain tyres and a 2 inch lift and they are unstoppable !!
Suzuki Jimnys are great, previously owned a 2003 bought new, owned it for 12 fun years. Did Cape York 4 times. Have sold it since to a friend, still going strong at 250K, a great little off-roader. Hope the current new, (basic, lite), is as good.
I love the Jimny, such a capable 4x4, the short wheel base makes it feel like a quad bike off road. If only it had a bigger tank and a 6 speed
also wasnt overpriced !!
No so comfortable
Howz the 4AT performance? Is it smooth?
Are rear seats comfortable? Looks no thigh support...
A 6 speed would add more weight and cost, plus its a offroader, youre going to be in low gear most of the time anyway.
Suzuki Jimny, very popular in my village. The off-road tracks for hunting are narrow.
I haven't watched all the videos here but I think this video shows Paul in his happiest mood driving up a hill. I guess that really shows the Jimny being a fun little buggy.
My Sister in Philippines have a Jimny that she barely uses and just sit in the garage. I so wanted to to take it with me in the US.
I do hope you're excited to review the 5 door Jimny :D
I've been watching these little 4wd Suzukis since the boys across the road had a 3 cylinder 2-stroke Suzuki 540. So that had just over 1/3rd of the 1500 cc of this car. Travelled in a 540 on the highway in Pakistan in 1979 and after some driving at (Pakistani) highway speeds I noticed the bonnet got quite hot.
They've announced rather unveiled the 5 door version here in India just a couple weeeks ago. The same 1.5l NA motor. 77kw/105 ps. 134 nm of torque. They're offering a 4 speed automatic though!
i have a 21' manual jimny, almost 2 years living with it and i love it! tho some upgrades are needed like a lift kit and good at tires and it becomes a beast off road.
I put 3 of my mates in my Jimny and it didn’t feel any slower. Also felt more planted on the road with less body roll with the extra weight haha
I hope you and your mates were not overweight. The Jimny has a tare mass of 340, so you would need to average less than 85kg each or not exceed the GVM. If you have any luggage or accessories, that number does go down even more.
@@SalvoDanIt may have weight limit but I dont think so it affects the performance. Im 95kg and total weight of 4 passengers was over 320kg and it didnt affect car's performance on steep uphill road.
I had a Samauri in the early 2000z, absolutely loved it. I was a competitive Bodybuilder at the time, the top was off when I brought home to show my wife. She shook her head and laughed, said you look like you're driving a sneaker. 💪😎💪
Another great thing about the Suzuki Jimny it will be reliable
Love it so much. Buying one this year 🎉... can't find
@12:10 What is the hill descent control supposed to do other than controlled braking downhill?
I would buy one of these in the states in a heartbeat. And at an average of about 30 MPG's I'm sure they could sell respectably across the country.
Basically it's everything one needed before they were spoiled with creature comforts, finding a basic vehicle is becoming increasingly difficult, buying what's not actually needed only fuels the manufacturers to provide more useless appendages. Personally I have features I never use, Apple car play, cruise control, etcetera, of which i have no use for, including cup holders, as I'd rather stop to have a drink. People have become spoiled by fundamentally useless features, including automatic transmissions, get back to basics, the Jimny is a refreshing approach, others should follow by offering a basic platform for those who have little use for all the bling.
perfect, I'm 6 foot 5 and id love one ....
I So want one now!!
Superb !!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
I'm in the USA and would buy one tomorrow, if I could. No one believes a small 2 door 4X4 won't sell here. They'll sell out before the 1st one hits our shores. 💯 ..and if Jeeps are safe enough.. 🤣
Canada here. Yes I would as well and I have had 3 Jeeps. On my 2nd Tracker now, a '97 with 350KM on it.
Notice how much Paul was laughing and smiling....... thats the point of this little beast! Its fun! And as the great Jeremy Clarkson once said, he gets to use ALL of the power, absolutely milking the little jimny and having fun doing it! And hardly even breaking the speed limit 😂😂😂
I would love to have them back in the US. It would make a great commuter at a great price . Specially in the winter time .
I love the simplicity and easy. I would love to own one of these. I wish more manufactures would have more options like this. Well I guess they do in Japan with Kei cars. Too bad they don't have these in America.
Great review. If Suzuki sold it in Canada, I'll buy one in a heartbeat.
Childhood memories relived..
I’d love one.
Best car ever made! 😍🥰
Suspension and bigger tires make a huge difference to on road handling, high way stability and of course also off-road
Great video thank you.
I bought a Jimny Lite six months ago, love it. Biggest gripe is the 40l fuel tank and 30kg roof load limit is too small and the HT tyres it comes with. On steep bush mountain tracks it is brilliant, and drives great around the city. I love the old 4WD system and turning circle, all round visibility, and clunky meaty switches and knobs on the dash. On the old radio, the working radio beats the bug prone touch screen any day, found it picks up reception in places out in mountain valleys where other cars never did. Hill decent works great if you don’t drive through two feet of water with drum brakes and immediately go down a steep hill!
You can get a larger fuel tank for it.
Had a few of the SJ70s. Amazing off road with 2 inch lift and muddies. Can't wait to do the same to one of these. Diff lock in rear, and you'd be looking for things to stop it off road.
A small hill in the wet with ruts cut by any normal size 4wd. Used to have a Zook, if it was wet on a travelled hill, you're hung up straight away, and most slippery stuff won't let you take a different line.
@@AndyFC1031 Sounds like you're just a shit driver tbh. They're crazy capable. Jimny and sierra drivers constantly out drive patrols and cruisers etc.
I've just booked the new 5 door in India. Wanted some feedback on whether it would be better to go for the manual or automatic.
Love the Jimny! Remember over 20yrs ago where we all went 4WD'ing out past Mansfield VIC way, and my Mate had a little ol' Jimny... it went everywhere the big boys went without a hitch! Best fun ever! If I could afford a top spec one, I'd get one that's for sure. Still can't get over that the 'Lite' model is nearly $30k though... crazy! Thanks Paul
Try buy one for $30k.
I think the Lite is a good bet, the top spec only gets coloured door handles better infotainment, LED lights and climate control. Most of those things can be put in via the aftermarket.
@@mindfreeze0838 most of the crap I don't want.
Hi paul. Is it possible to do a dual ute mahindra 4x4. Would be interesting to see
Great video
Great little car well done 👍
I have A suzuki sx4 2008 I like it very much and I hope suzuki comes back to the USA I always like suzuki they handle great and if they come back to the USA I think they would sell very good a lot of people like suzuki i tried the one like this Jimmy but I bought the sx4 but I will buy them as soon as I can it's a good vehicle strong and reliable my suzuki sx4 has over 123000 miles and runs like new.
I really like that car
I have one, you will be stunned by it's 4x4 capacities, it can easily follow the defenders, toyota's ang g-wagons, or some times beat them in their own field ... The antenna is off set because most owners will put a roof rack on it. It has 4x4 drive and there is electronic diff lock !
I think Paul liked the Jimny offroad..."good job Jimney" was heard multiple times :D
A great vehicle at its core and can do some great upgrades, as needed. 6 speed and a better engine, a bit more comfort for longer journeys (in keeping with utility) and better pricing, would be ideal - but the demand is there so not likely.
ahh! im really inlove with the suzuki jimny
They are a great little car around town and for off road fun, long distance, not so much. Very capable off- road and the Lite is exactly what it should be if you're doing off roading, fancy stuff not required.
Hey Paul where do you go for all of your off road tests?
Fun little car. Would love owning one.
I have one and have done a 2 inch lift from Pedders and it is a different car , far more steady on and off the road , best car I've ever owned !!!
A lot of the viewers probably don't know how impressive that quick offroad test is... basically a lot of the 4x4 trucks and suvs will fail doing what the Jimny was doing on highway tires. I love the lite version because it acknowledges why the Jimny has been very successful and has built a cult following... utilitarianism. I've seen a lot of reviews putting it down for lacking comfort and basic amenities found in modern cars, and completely miss the whole point of owning a Jimny. I have a dual cab 4x4 truck and a jimny and I dare say my little no frills jimny is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more capable than any truck or suv at stock configuration out there, especially at its price point. The difference when driving the jimny is when you drive it, the car feels like an extension of you, while every other vehicle just feels like youre telling it what to do. Which is why we say the capability of the Jimny depends on the drivers skill.
It is about time you started to do more basic suv
Paul, The "All Grip" System is *not* an AWD system. The Jimny is a traditional Rear Wheel Drive car without a centre diff. The All Grip System refers to the configuration and programming of the Electronic Stability Control to function as an ersatz way to overcome the lack of lockable diffs. This improves traction on un even and slippery terrain but keeps cost and weight down.
Can you take the outgoing Amarok on this offroad course? It will be interesting to see how it performs against the new ranger on that course.
Its stayed the same since the 80's with minimal changes but its a unique case fun little car
Would make an ideal run around farm vehicle, better than a quad, your inside a cabin with a heater 👍 and not more expensive than a 4x4 quad either
Apparently, demand for this vehicle in Asia alone far exceeds Suzuki's manufacturing capacity. No hope of it ever coming to the US.
the Jimny is my dream car thanks for the video i wanted know what she can do
what are the specs of this jimny 660 cc or 1500 cc or 1000 cc as in india the 4 door jimny introduced with 1500cc
Cool little car, I'm still driving a 1998 Pajero IO which looks pretty similar. Real fun car to drive.
When are you doing a review of the 5 door?
Whats better manual or automatic?
Is it burning oil already? Looked liked a puff of smoke when you gassed it over the ledge in 2wd 8:45.
Did well on the hill, especially considering the wheel track meant it was on the grass one side, rather than on the tracks
Do you know what the current wait on the lite is?
would of been nice to see some more indepth shots and info on the engine bay
India just got the 5 door version of the Jimny , seats 4 only but you get a reasonable boot which can store a suitcases not just a handbag
It has Brake Locking Differential (BLD). So, to say that it doesn't have a locking differential seems inaccurate, does it not?
Any idea when the XL is being ANCAP tested?