Award-Winning Suzuki Jimny Doubles its New Zealand Sales

New Zealand sales of the Suzuki Jimny have more than doubled this year as the popular small SUV takes out yet another award.

Since the arrival of the latest fourth generation Jimny there has been skyrocketing demand for the model which has just been named New Zealand 4WD magazine Compact SUV of the Year. A Suzuki model has been awarded the compact SUV title every year since 2016.

Year to date Jimny sales in New Zealand until the end of November were up 116 percent, according to Motor Industry Association figures. This compares with an overall increase of 41.8 percent for all new SUV sales in New Zealand and a 39.1 percent rise for combined new passenger and SUV volume. Compared to the same period in 2020, sales of small SUV models rose by 62.9 percent.

Accolades for the Jimny continue to grow. Mark Baker, Editor of NZ4WD Magazine, in judging the local magazine’s awards, said the Jimny in limited edition Safari trim “continues to deliver surprise and delight in both performance and appointment.”

“The Jimny demonstrated an implacable sense of go-anywhere, any time capability that appeals to the hard core off-road community and the take-the-long-way-home commuter alike,” he said.

The 1.5 litre Jimny succeeds with its stand-out looks and practicality combined with true off-road capability. Yet this personality and utility is also appealing to those wanting a practical, efficient town and urban car that is easy to drive and convenient with its high stance.

Rated as a car with no peers, the Jimny won the 2019 World Urban Car award in New York and was judged the world’s best for meeting the urban transport challenges of cities and suburbs. A total of 86 motoring journalists in 24 countries voted the Jimny the top urban car, also rating it one of the best ten cars in the world outright.

The Goodwood Road and Racing Fellowship based at the famous race track in southern England recently named the Jimny one of the ten best investment cars of 2020. Goodwood’s critics said the Suzuki earned overwhelming critical praise, with its cult appeal based on a clever reinvention of decades-old heritage and a single-minded focus on core abilities.

“Everyone loves the new Jimny, a cracking little product,” said the Goodwood researchers. The Suzuki continues to be a firm favourite in the 4WD world with its versatility and ability, according to independent judges.

Sold in more than 90 countries, more than three million Jimny have been made since 1970 when SUVs were thin on the ground.

A rare modern car with a rigid ladder frame, the precisely engineered mechanics of the chassis have made the Jimny a trusted vehicle and the live axle suspension make it a perfect off-roader. Compact, nimble, light and unstoppable, the Jimny’s short overhangs have contributed to the vehicle’s excellent departure angle, ramp breaker angle and approach angle.

High ground clearance has its obvious advantage and part-time Allgrip four-wheel-drive with low range is standard equipment.

In spite of the modest 3.6 metre length and 1.6 metre width the Jimny still offers good storage capacity, with the small footprint giving flexibility in confined urban and suburban settings, plus ease of parking with the high seating affording good visibility.

Small but perfectly formed, the design and style have proved a winning recipe, with the advantage the box-like shape also allows for easy maneuvering.

“The retro styling is modern yet familiar,” said Gary Collins, General Manager of Motor Vehicle Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. “The more the Jimny is seen the more people want to buy one.”

Available with either manual gearbox or automatic transmission, standard equipment includes front fog lamps, daylight running lights, Dual Sensor Brake Support, electronic stability control, lane departure warning, hill hold control and hill descent control.

The Jimny range in New Zealand starts with the JX 4WD manual at $27,990 plus on-road costs, and tops out with the Sierra 4WD automatic sporting two-tone paintwork that has a recommended retail price of $32,990 plus on-road costs. Jimny is one of the least expensive four-wheel-drive vehicles on the local market and popularity of the model have elevated it to third best selling Suzuki on the New Zealand market.