It’s getting on in years and is one of the cheapest new 4x4s that money can buy. But, as Paul Guinness discovers, the latest-spec Jimny still has plenty going for it

By any standards, the diminutive Suzuki Jimny is a bit of an old soldier, having originally been launched way back in 1998 before going on sale in the UK early the following year. And that makes it the second oldest 4x4 currently on sale in Britain, beaten only by Land Rover’s evergreen Defender.

Looking at the 2010-spec Jimny now, it’s obvious that the model has been altered remarkably little over the years. Okay, a new 1.3-litre 16-valve petrol engine – complete with variable valve timing – was introduced a while back, along with a freshened-up dashboard and minor trim updates. But, in essence, the latest Jimny is very much the same vehicle that first saw the light of day a full twelve years ago.

So does that automatically make the Jimny hopelessly outclassed and not worthy of consideration nowadays? No. Far from it, in fact – as we’ve just discovered after a week at the wheel of the latest (and most expensive) SZ4 version.

THE ‘POSH’ JIMNY

This doesn’t mean the Jimny has been moved needlessly upmarket, of course. You can still buy the entry-level 1.3 JLX for a very reasonable £10,715 – or considerably less once your nearest dealer has agreed to the kind of generous discount we’ve come to expect in Suzuki showrooms. And when you consider that at that price you’re getting a ‘proper’ 4x4 (complete with body-on-frame construction, part-time Drive Select four-wheel drive, a dual-range transfer box, free-wheeling front hubs and coil-sprung suspension), less than £11k is surely a small price to pay?

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Tip:

Maintenance after Water-crossings<br> So once you have successfully crossed to the other side and are on your way home, you don't need to give the water crossing a second thought, right? Wrong! Any crossing at axle depth or deeper necessitates a checking of the diff oil for water contamination. Having an extended diff breather is not a 100% guarantee of waterproofness and any crossing above your axles without extended diff breathers should mean a mandatory inspection. Checking your diffs for water contamination is very easy. Since water is heavier than oil, it will collect at the lowest point in the diff, right where the drain plug is located. After allowing time for your 4x4 to cool, just loosen the drain bolt and run a small amount (~20mls) of the diff oil into a glass. If you're unlucky enough to have water present, the diff oil should be drained. It is best to flush the diff several times to ensure all traces of water are removed. Milky colored oil also indicates water is present and should also be changed.