Review: Suzuki Jimny Rhino Edition – Tiny, Tough, And Pricey!

Making its debut back in 2018, the fourth-gen Suzuki Jimny has garnered much fanfare worldwide.

Wow! Suzuki Still Makes This?

Yes, but this is obviously a newer fourth generation model that first debuted back in 2018, with palpable fanfare worldwide too. Such is the level of the Jimny’s cult-like status amongst its fans globally, and Suzuki knew best on how to capitalise on which, even in these strange new and electrified times.

What’s certain here is that Suzuki has corrected all the design missteps of the third-gen Jimny model it offered between 1998 and 2018. The only bits retained from that in this fourth-gen successor are its name, squared overall stance, and its legitimate talents as a proper off-road machine.

Squared and boxy, the fourth-gen Jimny has returned to its roots, appearing largely similar to its first- and second-gen predecessors.

Bulging front and rear bumpers, matched with flared wheel arches plus LED headlights are some of the more 'modern' touches seen in this fourth-gen model's design.

Elsewhere, it’s clear that both the legendary first- and second-gen Jimny stood as the main design inspiration here. It remains pretty squared and boxy overall, but that’s now matched with ‘current’ styling touches like LED headlights, along with bulging front and rear bumpers matched with flared wheel arches.

Certainly, these do make the Jimny look like miniature version of the mighty Mercedes-Benz G-Class – ze Geländewagen, or what many fans fondly call the G-Wagen. If you like your off-roaders with both a classic and squared flavour, then this modern day rendition of the Jimny will indeed tickle your fancy…

Rhino badge and the add-ons accompanying it, plus the special paintjob, all signify this Jimny's status as a limited-run special.

Tell Me About That Rhino Badge…

Ah yes, the Rhino badge, which distinguishes this special apart form the regular Jimny. Historically, Suzuki used this badge featuring a certain horned wild animal, renowned for its toughness, to promote a special and arguably more rugged version of the second-gen Jimny back in 1982.

Much of the touches seen in said 1980s special are faithfully replicated in this modern day homage, namely the special Rhino artwork on the spare wheel cover and tailgate badge. Amplifying the retro vibes further too are the tri-coloured stripes and decals donned on the bonnet and doors, as do the red mud flaps.

Plastic spare wheel cover featuring Rhino badge art comes as an exclusive accessory of the Jimny Rhino Edition.

The Rhino Edition treatment includes tri-colour stripe and decals on the bonnet and doors, red Jimny-branded mud flaps, and additional bash plates for the front and rear diff.

Apart from added ruggedness, the Rhino Edition treatment also sees the addition of protective bash plates for the front and rear diffs. Whilst these appear to be additions that hardly anyone will see, they indeed come into their prime should you go off-roading with the Jimny, which you will…

Clearly, all these bode well with the exclusive ‘Pure While Pearl’ base paint this special wears exclusively. Other tasty bits present too include the silver-finished lower front bumper scuff plate and door sills, and the combination of all these additions really set this retro-themed special well.

Predictably, the Jimny feels more on home in rough than it does on the pavement.

How Does It Drive?

Unfortunately, this is a mixed bag of sorts. Despite its rather compact dimensions and short 2,250 MM wheelbase, the Jimny is not much of a driver’s car of sorts when subjected to the usual grind on the pavement. Instead, the Jimny shines best when it’s subjected in the rough and tumble off the pavement.

This largely stems from the fact that it rides on a ladder frame chassis. Said construction is arguably the most effective way to to house a full-blown 4x4 driveline and lifted, long-travel suspension to match, so the price one pays for this is the awkward and rather wayward, un-planted on-road handling.

Besides 210 MM of ground clearance, note the 36-degree approach angle, 28-degree ramp breakover angle, and the 50-degree departure angle all allow the Jimny to tackle terrains easily.

15-inch wheels shod in all-terrain rubber (left) as well as a proper 4x4 driveline with high- and low-locking diff settings, further adds to the Jimny's talents off the pavement.

The only upside to this is that the ride is respectably comfortable. However, that’s really not what the long-travel suzzies, as well as its 210 MM ground clearance, 36-degree approach angle, 28-degree ramp breakover angle, 50-degree departure angle, were designed for.

All those traits, plus the all-terrain Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tyres it rolls on, really come into form across gravel, dirt, and mud instead of well-paved asphalt. We’ll also note that high- and low-locking diff settings plus the hill-descent control module offered by the 4x4 driveline properly enables this pint-sized off-roader.

1.5-litre nat-asp 4-cyl petrol mill (left) and 4-speed automatic (right) do feel versatile enough for both on- and off-road driving.

As for the base powertrain, let’s just say that they’re sufficiently adequate both on and off the pavement, just don’t expect it to break any speed records though. That’s because the 1.5-litre 4-cyl nat-asp petrol mill plonked up front makes just 100 HP and 103 NM.

Adding to which are the ratios of the 4-speed automatic box paired with said mill. It’s indeed more adept for tackling the rough than it is for on-road cruising, and that’s despite the fact that this Jimny is equipped with a basic passive cruise control suite. However, that’s really not the worse thing about the Jimny.

Despite its price tag, the Jimny's innards is indeed very basic and spartan as it offers little to no luxuries but there's enough kit around to keep it useful for the daily.

Gulp… There Are More Quirks?

What will really put most people off with the Jimny is the seemingly low levels of luxury and features it packs despite its price – more on which later. Nowhere is this more evident than the cabin which, for lack of better words, is best described as ‘spartan’ and ‘basic’.

In fact, this is also an area where this Jimny really mirrors its past predecessors, and we reckon fans will appreciate its simplicity here. If we were to nitpick, perhaps the absence of telescopic steering adjustment will put off most fans with tall, lanky frames – this writer included.

Annoyingly, the Jimny's steering wheel does not offer telescopic adjustment. Tall and lanky folks be warned.

The fabric seats are decent in comfort and support, though we reckon most will keep the rear seats folded down for the most parts to utilise the 377-litre cargo space available which also boasts a 12-volt socket present.

At least Suzuki tried to modernise things, evident through the presence of a rather current-looking 7-inch touchscreen infotainment that also offers Apple CarPlay and reverse camera function, plus steering-mounted controls and a sole USB charging port for which.

Clockwise: Other 'basics' present include a relatively modern 7-inch touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay, a single-zone automatic air-cond, automatic headlight activation, and a passive cruise control.

That aside, the basics are decently covered through the presence of a single-zone automatic air-cond unit, 12-volt sockets in the dash and rear cargo compartment, as well as basic safety in the form of seatbelts, two airbags, followed by the presence of ABS plus traction and stability control suites.

Apart from that, you get two fronts seats plus a rear bench for two, but we reckon the latter will mostly be left folded should you wish to fully utilise the 377-litre cargo space available. Simply put, the basics are decently covered overall, but most won’t find this to be a true reflection of this Jimny’s price…

Despite its rather basic state, there's absolutely nothing 'basic' about the Jimny's RM174,900 price tag.

So How Much Is All This Then?

RM174,900. To put in perspective, you could get a fully-loaded, arguably more practical and certainly a much comfier and more luxurious C-segment crossover for said price. We won’t disagree, this Jimny’s price tag is indeed exorbitant.

Should you take a liking to this special Rhino Edition treatment, then you’d best hurry as distributors Naza Eastern Motors have just 30 units up for grabs. If you missed this, worry not as you could get a regular guise of Jimny still, but it’ll be at the same price figure minus the Rhino Edition niceties we highlighted.

Yes, it's very pricey, but the Jimny arguably commands such a figure to match its global mass appeal as an iconic cult-favourite.

Yes, much of these add-ons are available as optional accessories for you to Jazz up the regular Jimny with. However, the RM15,000 figure that the Jimny Rhino Kit is tagged at may not be to anyone’s liking, more so given that there are other ways to jazz up the Jimny from the aftermarket scene for far less Ringgits.

At this price, it’s plain to see that the Jimny really isn’t for everyone. However, the fact that these limited-run of 30 units are actually selling out fast suggests that perhaps there are enough hardcore fans locally with the means who don’t mind spending that much to acquire arguably an icon of the motoring world.

Though not the top 'rational' choice, the Jimny's returns in terms of smiles-per-miles is somewhat priceless...

Icon? Really?

If you find yourself questioning the Jimny’s status as a motoring Icon, then it’s safe to say that this basic yet highly capable and pint-sized off-roader isn’t for you. Well, not at this price at least. Whilst there are alternatives from the grey and used markets, none costs below RM130,000 in fact…

As noted, the Jimny already has its legion of fans globally, and all of them will tell you the same thing: this is an emotional buy, not a rational one. In truth, buying the Jimny is no different to the act of buying a sportscar like the Mazda MX-5 for instance.

Effectively, it’s all about smiles-per-miles here. Things like the Jimny delivers on which by the bucketloads thanks to its heritage, friendly size and charm, as well as its proven talents as a true 4x4 off-roader. Surely, if you can appreciate such a package, then the price tag makes sense. It certainly did with us…

So, are you ready to hit the open terrains with the Jimny? We definitely are...

SPECIFICATIONS

SUZUKI JIMNY RHINO EDITION