New Base-spec Suzuki Jimny Lite Debuts Down Under

• Suzuki Jimny Lite prices to be announced on August 1 in Australia.
• Comes with steel wheels and blacked-out ORVMs.
• Inside, it has a 2-DIN infotainment system and manual air-conditioning.
• Fog lamps, cruise control, and projector headlamps reserved for the top-spec variant.
• Jimny Lite continues with the same 102PS 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a manual gearbox only.
• Five-door Jimny to launch in India by 2022.

Suzuki’s popular off-roader, the Jimny, has got a new base-spec variant in the Australian market. Called the Jimny Lite, this entry-level variant will launch Down Under on August 1 this year. Of course, the premium features and creature comforts found in the standard Jimny have been replaced with more basic equipment to keep costs in check. 

In this report, we explain the sacrifices made. 

The rugged exterior design hasn’t been tinkered with. But the new base-spec SUV rides on 15-inch steel wheels (instead of the 15-inch alloys), gets blacked-out ORVMs, and misses out on fog lamps and a spare wheel cover. Also, the projector headlamps have made way for simple halogen units. 

On the inside, the standard SUV’s 7-inch Smartplay infotainment system has been dropped for a 2-DIN unit with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The air-conditioning needs to be operated using manual knobs instead of the automatic climate control unit. Also, there’s no cruise control. 

No change has been made under the hood, which means the Jimny Lite continues with the 102PS 1.5-litre petrol engine. It’s mated to a 5-speed manual only, with the 4-speed automatic reserved for the top-spec SUV. The Jimny Lite is a 4WD vehicle with a low-range transfer case that helps on challenging off-road terrain. 

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

In conclusion, this new entry-level SUV might not have an impressive feature list, but it is certainly budget-friendly. The steel wheels can take a real beating (better than the alloys, frankly). At the same time, lesser electronics means slightly more peace of mind should anything go wrong during your off-road escapades. 

In India, Maruti Suzuki is expected to launch the 5-door Jimny by 2022. It will take on the Mahindra Thar and the new Force Gurkha.