Jimny is not a new name in the automotive industry. The fourth generation of the car has been spotted testing for almost a year now, and that itself is a testament to the fact that people have accepted the unorthodox, boxy styling of the car. What's new in the fourth-gen? Is it a better-buy now? Continue reading to know more.

So, what's new this time?

According to a recent report from Autocar, the Jimny will go on sale in early 2019, just a few months after its rumored launch at the 2018 Tokyo Motor Show, this October. The current generation is already out of production and has just about 200 units left in the showrooms for sale. The next-gen Jimny will retain its rugged and boxy-looking exterior while offering improved handling and a more modern cabin.

The ladder-on-frame chassis, combined with an all-wheel-drive system should make this tiny off-roader fun to drive on challenging terrains. While the car may primarily serve as an off-roader, Suzuki will focus on increasing the legroom for rear passengers in an attempt make it a 'weekday' car as well. The all-new Jimny is expected to be powered by the Baleno’s turbocharged 1.0-liter petrol engine, with 110 horses. The naturally aspirated 1.2-liter unit could find itself in the base model.

Our Take

Off-roaders are generally perceived to be big, macho vehicles that can conquer the highest peaks and tread the toughest paths, but here we have the Jimny, a tiny vehicle with off-roading powers available for around $20,000. Interestingly, the car never had a direct competitor until the launch of Mahindra Roxor earlier this year. There was the Mazda AZ-Offroad, but it was essentially a rebadged Jimny. Jimny created a niche segment and survived for almost 48 years without any threat of new entrant! This doesn't mean the car was a super success for Suzuki. The sales were limited but good enough to keep the assembly line running. The fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny is expected to be a little more all-rounded (not just the headlights!) with better interior and features than the bare-bones versions seen previously. Can the all-new Jimny attract more customers? Or will it cater to only the enthusiasts? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

References

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