Last fall, Le Guide de l’auto used a visit to France to test drive the Suzuki Jimny, an authentic subcompact 4×4 that we sadly never had in Canada. We know this legacy of the samurai and sidekick is of interest to a lot of people here, so make sure to read our review if you haven’t already.
Now don’t miss the opportunity to tell you about the new four-door Jimny unveiled by Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki at Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi this week.
The model will be marketed in India later in 2023 before being exported to other parts of the world, specifically Africa and Latin America. It is part of the fourth generation introduced in 2018.
Photo: Suzuki
The design is essentially identical. Despite its two extra doors, Suzuki claims this stretched Jimny offers the same driving experience as the regular model. With a length of 3.99 meters (with a wheelbase of 2.59 meters) and a width of 1.65 meters, it has a special rear bench seat, but of course retains the ability to fold the front seats completely flat for an impromptu nap.
Photo: Suzuki
The new Jimny is not only a good thirty centimeters longer, but also significantly heavier. At 1,029 kg (2,668 pounds), it tows an excess of over 91 kg (200 pounds). Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine still develops 101 hp and 96 lb-ft of torque. Again, nothing electrifying. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are available, while the all-wheel-drive system includes a short-range transfer case.
Off-road, the four-door Jimny offers approach, ramp and departure angles of 36, 24 and 50 degrees. For comparison: the two-door has angles of 37, 28 and 49 degrees. However, the ground clearance is the same at 8.2 inches.
Photo: Suzuki
As for equipment, Suzuki installed standard LED headlights with headlight washers and a more modern multimedia screen.
As we don’t see it rolling on our roads, we’re hoping to have the opportunity to try this new Jimny on a future trip abroad!