• Very efficient use of space
• But there’s not much space to use
• Four-seater without luggage, or spacious two-seater

How much space is there inside the Suzuki Jimny?

The Suzuki Jimny’s box-like design might not be to all tastes but the payoff is that, considering its diminutive dimensions, it’s quite practical. The front will accommodate six-feet-tall occupants with ease.

Rear passengers get the short straw, with even Suzuki presenting the Jimny as more of a two-seater with some forward-facing occasional rear seats in the boot. Almost anyone put back there will resent the crude 50/50 split bench, cramped confines and poor access.

As such, it’s no surprise that the two-seat only Jimny Light Commercial Vehicle variant proved as popular as it did. For many buyers those rear seats were basically useless and unnecessary anyway.

Suzuki Jimny boot space and storage

This Jimny’s boot grew 53 litres over the previous version and measures 377 litres – but only with the rear seats folded away. With the rear seats in place, luggage space is a pathetic 85 litres; you can get a couple of laptop-type bags behind the seats and that’s about it. See previous comment about the two-seater Jimny LCV.

Still, even in the four-seater passenger version the front seats slide forward and the passenger seat can be fully reclined to create a longer load space, while the rear seats not only fold down flat (if you remove the headrests) but feature a plastic coating – just like the boot floor. This added robustness is ideal for those who need to use the luggage area extensively; dog owners, in particular, will appreciate this touch.

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It’s also very easy to fit a roof rack and, if necessary, the Jimny can tow a small trailer up to 1,300kg (braked; 750kg max unbraked).

Is it easy to park the Suzuki Jimny?

This is a very small, very square vehicle. It’s easy to judge all of the extremities and there aren’t many parking spaces (or garages) it won’t fit into.

Parking the Jimny should be easy. Parking sensors were available as an official Suzuki dealer-fit kit – and there are plenty of aftermarket options for these as well.

Suzuki Jimny safety

• Isofix for rear seats but narrow space is limiting
• Autonomous emergency braking is standard
• Much safer than an ATV for farmers

The Jimny scored a poor three-star rating when crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2018 – reflecting issues ranging from inadequate head restraints through to a weak passenger cell.

It was also not particularly good at protecting vulnerable road users, recording poor impact results and an autonomous emergency braking system that did not respond to pedestrians in many cases; it’s reliable enough at warning the driver for following too close and needing to brake, though.

It did perform better for occupant protection, and is seemingly a safer car to travel in as a child rather than an adult. But this is not a car to pick if you want the best possible protection. Or even something close to it.

Watch the Suzuki Jimny Euro NCAP crash test video