Heavy rain poured as lightning crackled in the sky. The water level was rising and yet our destination was nowhere in sight.
Almost an hour would pass before the weather let up and the sun shone once more. Back then, all I could think about was not letting the drive come to a halt.
The Suzuki Jimny offers a very different proposition. In an age where bigger looks are the order of the day, the Japanese marque's kei-class mini sports utility vehicle (SUV) faces an uphill challenge.
The vehicle is far from being practical. The two-door vehicle isn't generous with space and a deep dive into its specs will take a lot of convincing to appeal to buyers - all of this more so when we get to its main contention.
But what is practicality when all you want is to play? Some vehicles were born to be fun, and the Jimny, though not very obvious at the onset, turns out to be just what the adventurer in you ordered.
Jungle Jr
The Jimny is an off-road capable vehicle with a ladder frame chassis that is 3,480mm in length with a width of 1,645mm and a height of 1,720mm. Its wheelbase is at 2,250mm.
It runs on a K15B 1.5-litre VVT naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which is paired to a four-speed automatic gearbox and an AllGrip Pro four-wheel drive (4x4) system with a low-range transfer gearbox.
The setup delivers a performance of 100hp at 6,000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
The Jimny comes standard with LED headlamps and 15-inch alloy wheels, as well as driving assist and safety features, which comes in the form of a pedal release system (a decoupling mechanism for brake and clutch pedals during impact). It is also equipped with two ISOFIX child seat anchorages, side impact door beams, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Stability Programme, Brake LSD Traction Control, Hill hold and descent control, and the AllGrip Pro system.
Its cabin features a seven-inch OEM infotainment touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay connectivity that makes use of two speakers, as well as a single-zone automatic air-conditioning system and fabric seats.
The Jimny comes in four colour options - Kinetic Yellow + Bluish Black Pearl 3, Bluish Black Pearl 3, Jungle Green and Medium Grey.
The new Jimny Rhino edition is available in Pure Pearl White is limited to 30 units.
Its highlights include the red, gray and black decals running on the hood and profile, with the words "Real Offroader" and a rhino graphic. The iconic Rhino logomark pays homage to the heritage of the Suzuki SJ series, the second-generation Jimny which first appeared 41 years ago.
Also included is the Suzuki heritage grille, which matches the chrome side mirrors, as well as the side and front bumper under garnish.
There's also red mud flaps with white "Jimny" lettering, and the rear spare tyre cover with the Rhino logo. The front and rear differential guards, as well as the rain and wind deflectors are installed for additional weather protection.
Everything else remains the same between the two variants.
The Jimny is undergoing a price restructure, with the Rhino Edition being priced at RM174,900 before insurance. Existing Jimny owners can buy the Rhino Kit (available to all existing Jimny owners) for RM 15,000.
Mighty Machine
On paper, what the Jimny offers is a far cry from what you should be getting for SUVs in this price range.
Based on the spec sheet, everything about the vehicle spells "basic". You could easily buy a more advanced vehicle for lower price.
Its size alone is enough to tell you that the vehicle was not meant for the masses. The vehicle, which could seat four people, becomes a two-seater if you need cargo space at the rear because you can barely fit anything at the back otherwise.
Its dials and gauges on the driver's instrument cluster are analogue. There are no powered seats, parking cameras and sensors, or electric parking brake. Unlocking the doors and starting this mini-SUV requires a physical key.
The Jimny's driving performance is not going to win hearts either, as it tops out somewhere around 80kph-100kph. At 120kph, wind noise and wobble is very noticeable.
At most, its analogue caps out at 180kph, which this writer would advise against trying to achieve. The Jimny has a high-ground clearance and is not suited for high-speed driving.
Its fuel consumption isn't economical either. Although the Jimny isn't a petrol guzzler, don't be trapped into thinking its tiny body doesn't have its needs.
Despite this, the Jimny is fun and amazing to drive.
Its compact design, huge windows, a
nalogue touches, lack of many modern day technology and rugged sensibilities make one feel like he is ready for a safari drive or a night out camping.
The overall design and basic feel are a throwback to the late 1980s-1990s, where it was just man and machine — and when mini-SUVs were a thing in the market.
It has the uncanny ability to transport its occupants to "another setting" during the drive via immersion.
Like driving a jeep during World War 2 or through the island jungle in the movie, Jurassic Park, no other vehicle has had the same effect on this writer.
Completely replacing the need for speed with a sense of adventure is the 4x4 drive system. The Jimny is not just for show, as it is a true 4x4 off roader — and none of them in today's market looks just as cute and tough.
Its compact size with high-ground clearance reinforces the "go anywhere, anytime" attitude. Zipping through narrow roads, climbing up slopes (what it lacks in drag speed, the Jimny does have fairly good acceleration uphilll) and slipping into tight carpark spots, this vehicle is a true urban jungle adventurer.
Verdict
Every now and then, we hear from companies how certain models are tailored towards lifestyle appeal. If there was one model that could easily encapsulate this feeling, it would be the Jimny.
This is how you do a lifestyle vehicle. There's no simple explanation that this writer can give you as to why you should get in and drive the mini-SUV everywhere, other than you want to at least give the Jimny a try before passing judgement.
There is nothing practical about it that draws you in, if not for how it looks and feels while driving it. A vehicle that is three times cheaper offers more than what the Jimny has.
One of its greatest assets is that there is nothing else like it in today's market. You either get pseudo-SUVs that are more catered towards family or sporty driving, 4x4s that are massive and noisy, or a combination for a much higher price.
There's nothing else in between, and none like the Jimny. Meaning that you will not find any other of its kind nowadays if you want a model that looks or delivers a similar driving experience. You're stuck with a premium price for a vehicle that is unlike many others.
If you have to choose, the Rhino Kit really goes a long way in driving home the whole "outdoor" theme. It has a nice retro touch and appears tough with its throwback grille and rhino motives.
Twice this writer has taken the Jimny while it was raining heavily and he loved it each time. This is because it always felt like the start of an adventure and this mini-SUV puts the "jungle" in the urban experience.
