The Jimny has been the talk of the town for as long as we can remember. While every manufacturer focused on crossovers, Suzuki decided to refresh the rugged-looking Jimny, and the audience welcomed it with open arms. However, the little off-roader that could has failed the Euro NCAP crash test, managing to score just three stars.

In-Depth Results

The Jimny was awarded 73-percent for adult occupant protection. This score took a hit because of an airbag that didn't inflate sufficiently to prevent the driver's head from contacting the steering wheel. The front seats were found to only offer 'marginal' protection against whiplash, and there was significant deformation of the passenger area in offset impact tests. Child occupant protection was rated an acceptable 84-percent, but the Jimny scored only 50-percent in the Safety Assist category.

Expert Opinion

Thatcham Research' director Matthew Avery, said, "The Suzuki Jimny’s performance in testing betrays its ostensibly rugged exterior. Its safety technology did not perform optimally either. The youthful audience the Suzuki Jimny has been designed for deserve better in terms of passive and active safety.”

One of the Suzuki Jimny's key safety features was also criticised by Euro NCAP experts, concluding that its Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system "showed weak performance in tests of its pedestrian avoidance in daylight and did not even operate in low light."

Our Take

The rugged looks are just for namesake after all. Where does this leave Suzuki and the Jimny? Will the sales figures see adverse effects because of the test results? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Suzuki Jimny.