Suzuki Jimny Commercial Review 2024

Suzuki Jimny Commercial At A Glance

3/5

+Quirky yet capable off-roader, lots of safety tech fitted as standard, punchy 1.5 petrol engine.

-Rustic driving experience, expensive to run, 150kg maximum payload, small load area.

The Suzuki Jimny Commercial is a flawed but extremely likeable 4x4 van. However, while the Jimny can't compete with its rivals when it comes to payload or running costs, its quirky styling and small numbers make it an appealing option for buyers who want a compact and capable off-roader. 

Based on Suzuki's popular SUV, the Jimny Commercial has its rear seats replaced with a flat load space that will carry payloads weighing up to 150kg. Everything else in the Jimny Commercial is the same as the passenger car, with selectable four-wheel drive and a sprightly 1.5-litre petrol engine that develops 101PS. 

The Jimny's road manners are somewhat crude compared to the best small vans; there is lots of road and wind noise on the motorway. The Jimny's upright and boxy shape also make it vulnerable to side winds, which means it generally bounces around quite a lot above 50mph. 

Road handling isn't much better, with the vague steering making it rather difficult to make accurate adjustments to the vehicle's direction. There is also a lot of travel in the pedals and gear stick, which means the Jimny feels very much like a crude 4x4 from yesteryear. 

The 1.5-litre petrol engine is punchy, thanks to the Jimny's compact size and low weight, but fuel costs are high with Suzuki claiming 36.7mpg. The Jimny is well-equipped, however, with all versions getting cruise control, automatic headlights and air con. You also get a pair of 12V sockets in the cabin and a full size spare wheel bolted to the rear door. 

The Jimny is faultless as an off-roader. The high ground clearance and low kerbweight allows the Jimny to skip over rough terrain, while the option of low ratio gears will ensure you won't get stuck when the going gets really tough. 

The Jimny Commercial's load space is tiny and few businesses will be able to justify buying a van that can carry just 150kg. The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 will carry 503kg while a pick-up truck will haul around 1000kg. That said, the Jimny Commercial is only sold in limited numbers and its exclusivity will make it a tempting choice for business that want a quicky commercial vehicle that will turn heads wherever it goes.

What does a Suzuki Jimny Commercial cost?