Compact 4WD SUV of the Year: Suzuki Jimny

News and General

It’s the very definition of a cult 4WD. Suzuki’s mighty Jimny is a firm favourite among all who own it. The launch of the five-door version at the start of 2024 basically doubled the Jimny’s market appeal and its buyer audience.

Five doors, decent cargo space and no dilution of the Jimny’s rugged charm – a winner all the way.

Driving the Jimny is an experience like nothing offered by any other 4WD on the New Zealand market. Its superb approach and departure angles and its light weight enable ‘the five’ to tackle and defeat gnarly bog holes uphills and descents far beyond what others might manage, and it retains the three-door’s ‘wheel at each corner’ format that makes driving – and parking – in town a breeze.

It’s not an angry track chewing torque monster – but it doesn’t have to be. It just gets on with the fun.

The Jimny range now includes manual and auto transmission versions of both three-door and five-door models, all with the 1.5-litre fuel injected engine.

Publishing Information
Magazine Issue:
Contact Us
NZ4WD covers a range of topics of interest to the 4WD vehicle buyer & driver. We're dedicated to providing a wide range of information covering vehicle selection, accessories & upgrading, 4WD clubs & sport, adventure & track stories an

Related Articles
2026 Ram - the TRX is back
When the 523kW Ram 1500 TRX (pictured) first roared onto the scene for the 2021 model year, it immediately usurped Ford's 335kW F-150 Raptor as the fiercest off-road pickup money could buy. To fight...
Rebel rides in
Ram is bringing its off-road focused 2025 1500 Rebel to New Zealand as the brand prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary. As is the case with all other variants in the MY25 Ram 1500 line-up, Ram...
We have unlocked all our digital back issues for free access
You can access them all from https://nz4wd.co.nz/basic-page/free-digital-editions