Suzuki Jimny Commercial

That’s a simple question to answer, it’s Jimny with no rear seats and a floor to roof bulkhead, easy.

The Jimny is such a fun vehicle zoom around in and feels quite cheeky, if that makes sense. The 5-speed manual gearbox is slick and well geared for town driving, and visibility all ‘round is excellent.

On longer motorway journeys however you will find yourself reaching to the gearstick for a 6th gear that isn’t there as it become a bit vocal. Keep to around 56mph as this is where the little Zook appeared the happiest.

Be wary of wet and twisty corners, as due to its short wheelbase and tall skinny tyres it can feel slightly unsteady, though I’m assured by various owners that wider rubber transforms its onroad prowess no end.

Before you get any negative impressions, remember it’s a light commercial vehicle that has a robust ladder frame chassis and 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil springs; it's a proper 4x4 that’s designed for rugged and demanding off-road use.

It isn’t just a SUV with 4x4 capability that’s only suitable for a gentle green lane or a sprinkling of snow whilst doing the weekly shop. No, the Jimny is, always was and always will be an authentic 4x4 off-roader that will handle the harshest of conditions whilst making you look good! With that in mind it’s allowed to have a few foibles.

Fuel wise, throughout the week the Jimny didn’t dip under 39mpg, it didn’t matter if I was on the motorway, in town or exploring green lanes, 39mpg was what I was getting, and I was quite happy with that.

Last year I was lucky enough to take the Jimny Commercial around Walter’s Arena, not far from Swansea. I took it around a planned route, then after everyone had left, I ventured around some of the more difficult sections that the Arena had to offer. Being lightweight and tipping the scales at just over a tonne, there’s always a temptation to drive the Jimny like you stole it, it’s great fun and rather than getting bogged down, it simply bounced everywhere - it’s a tough little thing.

From boggy wooded tracks, rocky paths, deep muddy puddles and slippery inclines, it took it all in its stride, but that’s what a Jimny does best.

The ‘laning I did during our week together was nowhere near as demanding as what the Arena had to offer, but it didn’t matter, after slipping the transfer box into low, the combination of coil springs, ALLGRIP and Pro 4WD meant that it’ll take you pretty much where ever you want to go.

Step inside the commercial and the first thing you’ll notice is the lack of rear seats, obviously, and behind the front seats sits a sturdy partition grille to separate and protect the front seat occupants from anything that isn’t tied down in the back. As a 6ft 2” fat bloke, I found that it does limit how far you can slide the front seats back. I’m not going to say that it was uncomfortable, more like snug.

There’s only one trim level available, but that doesn’t matter as you get a huge amount of kit for your yen.

Up front the interior is clutter-free and practical with lots of flat and easily wipedclean surfaces. This proved fantastic during a rare and impromptu stop at a McDonalds. There was plenty of space to rest our McChips, McShakes and even McKetchup.

Creature comforts include a DAB radio with CD player, a two-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, USB connection, electric front windows, cruise control with speed limiter, a digital clock and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

One of the many things I respect Suzuki for is that they don’t shy away from offering exceptional value for money, and the wealth of safety kit that’s standard with the Jimny is a fine example.

It includes:

• anti-lock brakes with brake assist

• high beam assist

• side impact protection beams

• electronic stability programme

• hill hold and hill descent assist

• dual sensor brake support that applies automatic brakes to help avoid a collision

• a tyre pressure monitoring system

• eCall

• airbags

Oh, yeah, there is also an immobiliser, a security alarm, locking wheel nuts and remote central door locking for added protection.

In the back there is nothing but space, 863 litres of it, and it has a flat floor for convenience.Everywhere else, it’s identical to the 5-seat model that was sadly discontinued in the UK due group emissions.

It’s powered by the 1.5-litre, fourcylinder petrol engine that churns out 101PS and 130Nm of torque and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Jimny Commercial has a maximum speed of 90mph and, according to official figures under WLTP testing, it can deliver a combined 36.7mpg with carbon emissions of 173g/km. As I mentioned earlier, during my week it never dipped below 39mpg.

As much as I, and others, moan about the the choice of engine and gearbox, what we have to understand is that Suzuki Japan don’t see it as a leisure vehicle, it’s a working tool.

Being classed as an LCV, this Jimny model comes with attractive savings for business buyers who will have a standard Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) charge for the first year that is set at £275. The Benefit in Kind rating is based on a standard flat rate of £3,500.

As I’ve mentioned previously, I really do feel for Suzuki UK, they have a vehicle that they can sell by the bucket load, but for whatever reason they can only get their hands on a limited number.

If you are lucky enough to have ordered one you won’t be disappointed as the Jimny is as surefooted as a mountain goat with resale values going through the roof.

Price - £16,796 (exc VAT) more at » https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/ new-cars/jimny/?