The cheapest SUV you can buy in South Africa is the Suzuki Jimny, which retails for a minimum of R399,900.
While it’s not the cheapest option in Suzuki’s stable, the Jimny is officially categorized as an SUV as it uses a body-on-frame chassis, in contrast to the unibody design used by crossovers like the Grand Vitara and the Fronx – the latter of which is actually based on a hatchback.
What you get
The Jimny is one of Suzuki’s most popular offerings, as it is a relatively affordable compact SUV that is more than capable of going off-road.
Every model in the range is powered by a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which sends a total of 75kW and 130Nm down to the AllGrip four-wheel-drive system.
The base GL is fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, and you’ll need to spend an additional R22,000 to grab a model with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel consumption works out to an average of 6.3l/100km, which lets the SUV travel for 635km on its 40-litre tank.
As far as its off-roading potential is concerned, the three-door Jimny has a wheelbase measuring 2,250mm and a ground clearance of 210mm.
It also has an approach angle of 37 degrees, a breakover angle of 28 degrees, and a departure angle of 49 degrees.
In late 2023, Suzuki introduced a larger five-door version with a 300mm longer wheelbase, but this comes at a R30,000 premium over the cheapest option.
As for its equipment, the GL models come standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, electric door mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel, two airbags, air conditioning, electric windows, two airbags, ABS, hill assist, and electronic stability control.
If you want more kit, you’ll need to upgrade to the three-door GLX or the five-door GL, as either of these will add rear parking sensors, a 12V socket, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
All Suzuki Jimny models are sold with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 4-year/60,000km service plan.
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