The Suzuki Jimny Is the Affordable Off-Roader America Needs 

*FUN FACT* : the blank switches behind the parking brake is the optional heated seats NOT window switches from a different car

The Buttons next to the Hand Brake are for the heated seats which are an option for the Jimmny!

We need more simple cars like this. There’s a ton of modern cars being sold in Mexico that are brand new, but feel like you’re stepping back into the 90’s. I love it.

As an owner I can say the cabin experience is amazing for visibility. Huge windows, and the smaller size & driver position means you have great visibility.

in spain this car was so successful that second-hand units were more expensive than new ones in the first year of reservation

Doug: The kind of guy that thinks the “!” means you say it faster, not louder.

The back order of these in the USA would be insane.

I’m a hunter and horse owner from Germany. Definitely an off-road enthusiast too. I know so many people with a Jimney here, I couldn’t count. They are cheap, relatively easy to work on, have a ton of aftermarket parts available and are just a fun to drive. Admittedly a Jimmy drives better off road then on road. When I wanted to buy mine in 2020 the dealer had a waiting list,so I got a used one with only around 6500 miles on it. I paid almost the same as I would’ve paid for a a new one. They keep their value pretty well. My girlfriend and I took my Defender to Iceland this year. On the ferry we met a couple with a Jimmy, we paired up with them and some guys with a Discovery II. The Jimny mastered every obstacle thrown at it, sometimes even a little bit better than the big off-roaders.

Time for General Motors to bring back the Geo brand to sell rebadged Suzuki’s, I mean they don’t have a Jeep/Bronco competitor so this would be something

OMG can't wait for the Multipla review, my mom and dad used to take me to school in one of those... all three of us in the front seats.

Here in the Emirates, my fathers' friend owns a Suzuki Jimny, unlike in the video it's tuned to have bigger wheels and better looking rims, we go dune bashing with a group of Jeep Wranglers 392s and V8 Nissan Patrols and it suprises me how much it is of a champ and keeps up with them! A great car the Suzuki Jimny is. Also, The Jimny is a huge success in the UAE, in my family 3 people own Jimnys.

Aussie owner chiming in here, I've had my '21 Jimny 'Lite' (slightly cheaper, manual only, no touchscreen or climate control, steel wheels) for almost 15,000km since new and its my daily driver. Groceries, work, even school dropoff for my kids. Yes, its got child seats in the back haha. I've done a lot of offroad with it, everything from slippery mud holes and fine sand to steep rocky scree and its handled it all just fine. One warning - the stock tyres clog with mud easily and the thin sidewall makes them puncture prone to dry sticks on heavily wooded tracks. I carry a plug kit and bicycle pump now, problem solved. Many people change tyres (which I will in the future) but avoid a larger rolling diameter as it will make the already slowish car feel very lacking indeed. Road trips have been good, too, and the little Jimny sits at an honest 110kmh just fine. People comment about the noise from the engine and gearbox but its charming and earnest rather than intrusive or bothersome. Aoparently a tune will net upwards of a 20% gain at the tyres which would solve the issue with it feeling sluggish i think. Honestly overall its been fantastic and I think I'll keep it for quite a while yet. They're a great little vehicle and lots of fun to drive. But please, if buying one, consider the manual version! I've driven both and the manual has much more pep and its way more engaging to drive. Cheers Doug for all you do!

I'd buy this in a heart beat. Cheaper than a Civic and 100x cooler.

I like that the Jimny shakes while Doug waves his hands around when he's talking.

I owned the previous generation Jimny 1.3 5spd manual with the Suzuki 40mm lift kit. It was a total hoot to drive during my commute though perhaps not really a highay tourer or tow vehicle. With one or two people in it I just had fun in suburbia. Off-road is where my Jimny shined... left far bigger and fancier cars behind on 4x4 courses. On one memorable occasion the combination of life kit and short wheelbase meant my friend in his lifted Wrangler 5 door got stuck on the breakover, Jimny cruised on like it was nothing :-) for the price you get a car with off-road capability that trounces cars twice its price

Hey Doug, A 5 door Jimny is coming out in India in 2023. I suggest you check that out. That jimny is said to be 300mm longer than the ones now selling in Mexico, EU and Aussie markets and has now met the emission guidelines as well as providing comfortable back seats. Now majority of the Jimnys are being made in India and being exported worldwide, so I suggest that you cover that one as well.

USA: That's an offroader South America: That's a daily driver

It's simple, cheaper, reliable, practical, likely much easier to repair, and very economical to own. Separately, or collectively these data points explain why it's kept out of the US. And I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

The previous Jimny is just as notable for what the Jimny is intended to be. The new one nails the retro styling and specifically harks back to the much earlier ones, where as the previous model was much more intended to be a modern Jimny. But for its purpose, rather than style, they were the same. Also all those 'we don't need it so don't have it' aren't just about cost saving, but more importantly, weight saving. In many ways these are the off road equivalent of an MX5 / Miata.

This is exactly why I drive a mint 1994 Geo Tracker tin top. Still gets 25-30 mpg, great 4x4 ability, compact, nimble and highway capable. My favorite micro SUV ever made 😉

This car could not handle Doug's excitement. It was rocking around the whole video.

Doug Demuro 25 years into the future: Thiiiisss is my Suzuki Jimny that I imported

I still have my 2011 Suzuki sx4. I’ve had zero major mechanical issues with it. It has 140,000k miles on it. It’s a fun car to drive and I will drive her till she croaks!

It was affordable here in Australia when it first got released… $27K drive away for the GLX manual, now it’s 37K for the “Lite” base model manual. That’s expensive for what it is.

We rented one of these in Iceland for 10 days. It wasn’t the most comfortable but I got the feeling that they go through anything and are reliable. The gas mileage was impressive especially because it was so expensive there. The little bugger took us up mountains and down dry river beds with little effort. It left us with fond vacation memories.

I love how this looks like a 2-door baby G Wagon

I’d buy it…A no frills 4x4, starting at 20k 😮😮.. I see a ton of aftermarket support for this thing, which would really allow the end user to customize it 👍🏻 Also the overspray you spoke off looks like an undercoating which is impressive cause it looks like they sprayed the frame..That says longevity 👍🏻

The number one thing I absolutely enjoy and appreciate about coming across these videos is that the thumbnail being from the start of the video is almost a little trippy

In 25 years, this will be the hipster city car to import.

The most important part: Jimny is EXTREMELY capable off-road.

It's like if Doug Demuro was a car! Wildly successful, but very humble, simplistic, and cheerful. I mean, the two personalities are so similar!

Suzuki would sell 50,000 in the first week if they brought this to the US market. i'd love to have a small, safe, simple, rugged, fuel efficient, 4x4 vehicle with good ground clearance. this is like the ultimate car for single dudes in cold climates.

This is what the Jeep Renegade should have been.

The two blank switches next to the handbrake are for heated seats. You can get them as an extra here in Europe.

I used my Suzuki Samurai (essentially a similar car) for quite a few years as a service truck when I was a copier technician. About the first thing I did was to remove the poor attempt at a back seat and put shelves, for sliding parts bins, in. So, the attempt to market it as a two-seat commercial vehicle in Europe is very close to how, at least one owner, used it in the US.

Extremely capable off road, lots of customizing and fun to drive. Really popular in central america for years, can get you anywhere

My entire life I’ve been calling this car a “Jimmy”.

This car in America would definitely have a niche market for the purest off roader that wants cheap reliability and simplicity, not the flashy Jeep mall crawlers that you see everywhere with plastic housewife's driving them.

As a former owner of a Suzuki Samurai , it was a great value and fun never had issues with turns or flipping. That vehicle was 7k new had for many years

I got the chance to drive a Suzuki Swift hybrid when I visited Colombia, and honestly I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I'd hate it, but I really liked it. Good styling, good features, everything felt high quality, and it had all the essentials you needed.

Really miss Suzuki in America. For exactly this reason. Simple, inexpensive and fun.

If the Jimny comes to the US, I would purchase one in a heartbeat.

I rented one for two weeks for a trip through Bolivia. I loved it. It does what you need.

Dear Doug I’ve got news for you, that two blanks next to parking brake are for heated seats

european here: Jimnys are some of the best off-roaders I have ever seen. Hunters and Rangers use them here because it can go places no other "off roader" can go. The solid axels design combined with the awesome Suzuki 4-wheel transmission and the ridiculously small wheelbase make them superb rock crawlers.

Jimny: "thin doors that wouldn't pass safety standards" Jeep/Bronco: doors that can be removed completely motorcycles: what safety standards?

This! I love this. I would buy one brand new (something I have stopped doing). Worth every penny. Great style, price, utility, air bags, and it’s like the man says; everything you need and nothing else.

I think the best example of just how small the Jimny is was when Doug was on one knee in front of this tiny thing and his head and shoulders EASILY cleared the hood.

i love the way the car moves every time Doug throw's his arms around

This is basically just a late 90s car with a touchscreen and a warranty. I love it

I drove a 1988 Suzuki Samurai for a few years and I miss it so much and hate that we won't get the new Jimny in the US. I loved my Samurai and always had Jeep guys trying to buy it off me. Even had a pawn shop owner make an offer on it when I went in the check out what all they had for sale. LOVED that thing!

What did you really missed is it’s off road capability, you would be surprised to see it’s performance on tough road and swamps and in the dirt or sand. It’s a proven beast that defies all its tiny looks😊

Fun fact: Jimnys in Brazil come standard with a JBL infotainment system.

A quirk he didn’t notice: the rear window is not centered(!)

Owned an 89 Sidekick (JX 5sp) it was Phenominal, utilitarian, and rough ride, but exactly what I needed. Like a small Wranger, simple 4cyl, 90hp, a breeze to work on. Would love a Jimny, although my backside may disagree

Had a 93 Suzuki Sidekick way back when and til this day it was one of my favorite vehicles. It had 70+ horsepower but could still make it through 30 inches of snow. I had a 2012 Rubicon that was quite frankly half the vehicle my sidekick was.

Doug: there's no navigation here. The rest of the world: Uses Android Auto or CarPlay, that the Jimny has as standard.

Just bought the 2021 jimny here in Europe, best purchase decision ever

I drive a 1992 Jimny, JDM, 657cc, 3 cylinder ,turbo, intercooled,57 hp. Right hand drive, 16" rims, 5speed. Very basic but fun to drive, great offroad. Top speed is 71mph .

I love this thing! My old 2004 Vitara was super reliable and a lot of fun. GM, if you’re watching, you had a deal to sell some rebranded Suzuki’s years ago. Bring this little guy to the US!

I'd love one with a Manual Transmission.

In Australia Suzukis are everywhere, and the Jimny is by far the most adored compact 4WD. They are at every 4WD event, in every magazine, and are respected as much as Landcruisers or any brand leading 4WD, and it's been that way for over 50 years! I have never understood why Suzuki has a bad reputation in USA. I think it's just because they are small and seem cheap. But the thing is they are high quality in everything that matters, only cutting costs on things that would break anyway when they are old. Because these 4WDs will be kept going for decades just like all of their older models.

It was great to see the detailed Doug score section again!

My 1987 Samuari was a fabulous car. 30 MPG, went through snow blizzards with ease and was fun. Yes it was bouncy, and if you inflated the tires to what the tire said it was dangerous You have to follow Suzuki's inflation guidelines. I wish the Jimny was here. Great inexpensive, reliable bulletproof car.

Doug going into Mexico.... "Business or pleasure, senior?" "Business. And thiiiiiiiiiiiis, is my passport...."

The Jimny The Citroën C6 NOW THE MULTIPLA?! Please PAPA DOUG! Please release them quicker!

These things were everywhere in Iceland and absolutely stunning every time i spotted em!

Yep - I agree with all of what has been said. I've owned 4 Chevy Trackers in all varieties, and our family has owned 4 Suzuki SX-4's. Sold my 2nd to last 6-speed manual AWD SX-4 which was still running at 300K miles (still with the original clutch no less!). Currently have 160K on my current SX-4 with which I pull an ultra small teardrop camper. I've loved them all . . . . sigh.

The hype for this fun sized off-roader is so big that these things are being sold +50% MRSP used.

I feel like the Jimny is the Miata of the off-road world. Underpowered no frills vehicle that people love cuz it's small and cute.

i was in iceland Sept of last year and rented a manual Jimny to drive around iceland for 10 days. fell in love with it.. i too am disappointed that we can't get the jimny here in the US. that color is great.!! the one i rented was a bit more basic... no infortainment. , regular steel wheels.. a slate gray... oh.. and no back seat.... but again.. I LOVED it.

You kinda missed the mark on the Jimny. That little Jimny is a stand-up over achiever in the bush. Low and slow and if that doesn't get you there ... winch it, like you would portage a boat over around obstacles. I grew up with the Suzuki Stockman here in Australia and it was so much fun. Trick to these are the tyres. They're smaller and easy to swap out. Road tyres for town and destination tyres for the destination. And lastly the Jimny has a really excellent range off rooftop campers, there are many here in Australia and they will get you on or off some pretty remote amazing beaches and bush.

Most important thing Doug did not mention. It's body on frame solid axle SUV. There are very few of them left. Wrangler, UAZ, Jimny and Land Cruiser 70

I would *totally buy one* if they ever get here in the States. *I WANT ONE*

Simplicity and the best OFF-ROAD experience !

I learned to drive on a 2008 Suzuki (Here in Ecuador it was sold as Chevrolet) Vitara. That car was amazing, sure it was basically a metal box with a motor but I remember having so much fun with it on the sand and rocks.

The fact that these aren't sold in America rustles my jimnys

Not only that the jimny is critique proof, it is chip shortage proof

Looks so nice and simple. I hate overtly cluttered cars. Suzuki is really doing great stuff with Swift, too.

My parents just got one in Costa Rica and it is awesome. Super fun to drive, very capable on offroad trails.

Henry Ford once said: “beauty is in simplicity”

"Affordable" is not how they're described here in Australia. They're in such high demand that they often sell for over $40,000

The “FUN METER” just went up 👍 I love the two seater convenience and the “dog seat “ in the back! Love this 43rd.

Got one of these brand new from a lot of 400 released in the UK recently. Most fun I had from a car in years.

Why does Doug look like he’s always looking for a parking spot while he drives?

To put it in the perspective, the Jimny is almost 20 inches shorter than the Miata!

Saw one of these brand new, fully decked out with rack, ladder, and Mexico license plate. It was tiny. Less than 3/4 the size of a 2 door Jeep Wrangler. It was great! I would consider buying one.

I had to revisit this video because I saw one driving around in San Diego the other day, I need one.

The blank switches are the heated seats option.

Doug looks like he started his day with a mellow blend of Adderall and Coke.

I had the previous generation Jimny for years and it was the most fun and reliable car I've ever owned! It's actually remarkably similar to the new model, only outside it's less boxy and rugged looking, which is why no one took it seriously till they made the design "cooler". But don't be mistaken, the old car is just as cool as this one and it's surprisingly super rugged and can probably beat most cars off road. I even seen a test where it beat the G-Class. Though I rarely used mine for actual off-roading. Btw same cons is to be had with the old model as the new one, they're essentially the same car except for the outer cosmetic and engine refresh. And yes, I was one of those owners who never cared about people telling me my car was too small xD that's exactly what I loved about it; a small, reliable, cheery and indestructible car. Just as perfect for city traffic and parking as it is for off-roading. So if you want to save money or can't find the new model, look for the previous generation used, these things are so reliable they'd outlast the heat death of the universe if taken care of. I also wouldn't recommend automatic transmission with this car. It's a fun mechanical car to drive, and it has low power. You'd be giving up half the experience if you go with automatic. I find it strange that Suzuki went back to the lever design for switching to 4 wheel drive mode. That was a thing with jimnys till the early 2000. After that they switched to 2 buttons with pneumatic actuators that you pressed for 4WD and another one for activating high and low range. And that was in my car which didn't even have airbags , power windows, central locking, or even ABS! Back then, that was the only available model in the dealership. No regrets whatsoever. Would buy it again today. Btw, yes that is my old Jimny in the profile pic. I think that photo was taken on a mountain trip in 2013.

I definitely would love to have one of these. Reminds me a bit of my old 89 4 cyl Wrangler.

I would 100% buy this, especially with a 5 or 6 speed manual

If Doug had twins he would call them "cars" "bids" Doug: "these are my kids cars and bids"

Best thing about Suzuki, is you got old school stuff all over it, thumbs up.

Saw this in Cabo San Lucas last year and was absolutely enamored. Struck me as a small Ford Branco. Functional and good looks.

Oh cool he's finally doing a Ji- IS THAT A MULTIPLA??

The market has decided this a 10/10 on the cool score. The waiting list is enormous.

Doug's the type of guy to cast shade on the previous gen of a car, despite there being almost no difference in the new gen.

Man... I saw the tab pic & absolutely love this little Jimmy, only to find out I live in the only country they don't sell it in.