The Suzuki Jimny (aka Samurai) Story

It’s easy to dismiss the Suzuki Jimny as a toy car, driven by people who want a fashion accessory rather than a serious off roader. But the car is far more than that. Since its 1970 launch, the Jimny has used a proper 4x4 chassis that means it’s not just some passenger car pretending to be an off roader!
It’s been higher than any other car in the world, a record it holds to this very day. As they say, it’s not the size, but how you use it. There’s been controversy as well; it was the centre of a lawsuit over this high-sided car tipping over through bends. But it’s still going strong after half a century.
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[@BigCar2]

Erratum: When I said Suzuki exited the North American market in 1995, it wasn't clear that I meant the Samurai had exited, not all Suzuki cars.

[@303nitzubishi4]

Thanks for the correction and the video it's cool to hear the history behind the Samurai. Your comment on GM struggling to sell Geo branded Suzuki's is also incorrect, while the assembly lines for the Metro (Swift) and the Tracker (Sidekick) never operated at capacity they were close, and there were Geos absolutely everywhere until well after the turn of the century. GM and Suzuki may not have realized much profit off of these vehicles, but margins in the segment are thin regardless of the manufacturer. The Tracker's have a cult following equal to the Samurai and there are many still on the road here

[@cakeofthepan2233]

@@303nitzubishi4 There are still Metro/cultus (swift) owners on gtiredline forum using them for track and road in the US..and there is the some performance companies there making aftermarket parts for the gti's..so there must be a few of them over there! cheers Aus:)

[@ottovonostrovo1486]

They are all gone now in 2020!!

[@alan6832]

You also said they "disappeared from the road" which they did not. I drove mine this morning on the road.

[@christianxander7953]

@Talon Louie Instablaster ;)

[@hoodagooboy5981]

I've never been impressed with Consumer Reports, they treat cars like an appliance. But I believe they attacked the Samurai, like they did, because SOMEONE put money in their pockets to do it. Chevy and Ford both had off road vehicles, and Jeep definitely would have had reasons to see the little Suzuki 4X4 go away.

[@patrickmartin3322]

The CR attack on the Jimny is especially egregious considering how much more likely the Bronco II was to roll over

[@aaronbauman7057]

gotta admit i wondered the same

[@Where_is_Waldo]

Pretty much, and anyone who tipped this thing by accident was impressively dim-witted to say the least. "I can make a sharp 90 degree turn on dry pavement at the speed limit in my tall narrow 4x4 right?"

[@Where_is_Waldo]

@@tooltime9260 Unfortunately, GM has reduced Suzuki to a badge they put on cars from other GM brands because it was easier than adding planned obsolescence to the great motors Suzuki made like adding thread locker to tiny, brittle bolts used to hold down the cover over the G10A's fuel pressure regulator so that, 20 years after being made, it would be impossible to remove without snapping off the bolts in the throttle body when you can't find replacement parts anymore. Easier to put a Suzuki badge on car with a shit motor than to try to force a Suzuki motor to need repairs after parts are no longer available... 20 years later.

[@andreasstrauss5194]

@@Where_is_Waldo AFAIK they couldnt even manage to tip it they had to try really hard to even manage it

[@Momo_Kawashima]

Suzuki Jimny: *exists* Consumer Reports: WHY WON'T YOU JUST TIP OVER?!

[@kartaltoth684]

Suzuki: Nanomachines, Son.

[@a.gordon.1385]

Almost 10 years ago I worked for a very remote cattle station in Western Australia. Guess what we had a fleet of to aid in mustering on that million acre station.. No one can tell me they are not one of the best off road vehicles ever made. In a place so remote that reliability is life or death, where new parts are a 14 hour drive away through the desert, where a car needs to survive everything you can throw at it. A car when if all else fails, a few of you can grab it and physically lift it out. Yuppies stopped buying it for fear of it rolling over on the way to the wine bar? Ha. Do me a lemon. Brilliant car.

[@andrewstones2921]

A. Gordon. Fantastic comment, yes I totally agree with everything you said.

[@melesmelesfaber3866]

I don't disagree, though they were rather narrow and maybe in hilly areas more prone to instability.......But that is the 4 wheel drive ideal to work for, small and light. Not like the heavy crap coming out today.

[@reeveharper8424]

We also had a fleet of Sierra's (Jimmy's) on our cattle station in WA, Carnegie Station that was. Loved them so much we brought some back and I'm now restoring one, they're the ultimate go anywhere, always reliable car

[@MisterWileyOne]

Nowadays it's the damn emissions kicking it out of markets. I'm willing to pay a bit more if they resolved that.

[@CasualGearheads]

Love the story and the vibe. Good man, Mr. Gordon.

[@Danger_mouse]

The second gen Jimny is known as the Sierra in Australia and is still popular even today. They are long lived and very reliable, far more so than the Land rovers being compared to in the video. 🙂 Built in a time when the Japanese companies actually built their cars in Japan and monitored their quality standards. As a young mechanic, I worked on a few LJ50 models and loved the very simple nature of the cars. Everything was on the car for a purpose, there were no extras 👍 Really love the true to spirit look and design of the latest Jimny 👌

[@weedmastersr]

Here in the mountains of Romania the Suzuki Jimny is almost ubiquitous. Funny how we have very curvy roads but I've never seen a rolled over Jimny, while I see a crashed or rolled over BMW almost every week. Consumer Reports is trash.

[@atomus0916]

It was staged by consumer reports which honestly sucks! (It's prolly the Jeep's doing, since they're the only ones that would prolly be benefiting from it.)

[@bogdanrus7953]

Consumer Reports au fost platiti de Jeep sa falsifice rezultatele. Donut Media au un clip recent in legatura cu asta in care detaliaza cum a fost nevoie de zeci de incercari pana sa rastoarne un Samurai/Jimny. Are sens daca stai sa te gandesti ca un Samurai la inceputul anilor '90 era cam la fel de capabil ca un Wrangler dar costa o treime din pret. Suzuki au si dat in judecata Consumer Reports.

[@atomus0916]

@@bogdanrus7953 ????

[@bogdanrus7953]

@@atomus0916Sorry, i should've used english in the first place. I basically said what you said, Jeep paid Consumer Report to stage the rollover, in reality they needed tenths of attempts until it rolled. The Jimny was as good as an off roader as the contemporary Wrangler of the 90s, yet it cost a third of the price. Donut Media have made a recent Up to Speed video on the Samurai, which details just how badly Suzuki got fucked over and also talks about the lawsuit Suzuki filed against Consumer Reports

[@atomus0916]

@@bogdanrus7953 Well the Samurai is a lot better being the highest car ever to go that high except for the Unimog.

[@marceld6061]

The Samurai was my first 'new car' purchase back in late 1988. It was perfect. I still love it so much that I recently bought a replacement 34 years later! It went anywhere. No issues of rolling over and I even turned around on an approximately 75 percent grade off road.

[@MrTriantos]

I bought a used Samurai as my first car back in 1992. I live in Greece and its small dimensions, lightweight and perfect off-road abilities made it the ideal car for visiting every single island. Not so highway worthy, but omg, I've managed to reach with it so many beautiful but difficult to get to beaches. I bought many off-roaders ever since but I still miss how spartan and easy to fix this car was.

[@phillipevans9414]

MrTriantos . My first car was a 1981 LJ80 hardtop, bought in 1985, it was a great, cheap, go anywhere, fun little car, that I have many fond memories of. I only upgraded once I finished college and wanted a vehicle with A/C, being in a very hot climate and not desiring to arrive at my office job already sweaty in my suit.

[@manos_kall]

κατοχος samurai 19861! Χρυσο πραγμα στη κρητη!

[@marckenny3131]

I have owned 3 over the years, absolute bulletproof reliability. And extremely capable off road! Love them👍

[@-DC-]

It's a absolute design masterpiece equal to the Defender in its rightness of purpose.

[@BlahBleeBlahBlah]

Agreed, it’s such an honest, charming and capable vehicle. :-)

[@Oystein87]

I would never go as far as saying a box-design is a "design masterpiece" but it absolutely has it's charm :P

[@branon6565]

D C ....while neither one of the vehicles you refer to measure up to the Jeep, nor 1st generation Ford Bronco.....not even close.....

[@atomus0916]

@@branon6565 You mean none of what you mentioned can measure up to the Jimny, since it holds the highest elevation ever but was beaten by a beast "Unimog".

[@Ihateironyanddumbusernames]

@@Oystein87 op said "it's" referring to the Jimmy in his post and he mentioned the land rover. So yes he mentioned two. It's obvious the original jimny took huge inspiration from the Willy's Jeep design and the original land rover was built off of the Willy's Jeep architecture. Both of These vehicles are derivative although I'd say the land rover is far more original design wise than the jimny. It doesn't deserve to be in the same class as the land rover and jeep, again if we're just talking design.

[@shankarbalan3813]

I own a 16 year old Suzuki Samurai 1300 CC MPFI with a wide track and longer wheel base. It has been sold as the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy in India since 1985. They stopped production in 2019. In all these 35 years, the biggest customers for this vehicle have been the Armed Forces and Police and Govt agencies. And this is because it is a completely versatile vehicle. Total 100% reliability. Lightweight and narrow. Easy to literally go anywhere and be sure of getting there. It is a superb little vehicle. And I am not selling mine. Thank you!

[@giacomovillani5465]

In Italy the little Sukuzi is very popular, especially on the mountain area, for they are unstoppable on the snow. It is not unusual seeing Sukuzi dating back from the early 80’s! Great video anyway, very captivating as usual!

[@manos_kall]

i still have the suzuki samurai from 1986 that my grandfather had and i love it!!!!!

[@eli_7295]

@@manos_kall My grandfather also had a 80s Samurai (a early 80s model, I think) here in Austria mostly used in the forest and to pull the milk tank up the driveway to the road. My father continued to use it for the same purposes until around 2010, I fondly remember the trips to the forest to look for a christmas tree sitting squeezed in the back on the wheel case (it was the two seater version) with my dad sliding a bit now and then on the snow, that was fun :D

[@EVAN-re2yo]

wtf sukuzi😂😆

[@nakazul1]

I love Italy's Jimny scene as new parts is available from great stores (well, i know of one great one) So happy that Bing Translate does the process ... simpler 😃👌 Hello from Sweden and my 1985 SJ410 Jimny 1000 Samurai ... phew, a mouthfull.

[@sammibell8725]

Vero, mio nonno ne ha in garage uno del 97 che userò tra un paio di anni come macchina da neopatentato

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Being from the states, I didn't know it's history. These are in high demand here now. They've always been fantastic 4x4s. I truly wish they sold the new version here. What a great little gem!

[@tal0ndarktalon637]

In Canada, we had the LJ80 then the SJ410 which evolved into the Samurai. All of them were fantastic off-road. Lovely machines.

[@neolancer]

The best 4x4 ever. Because is a great 4x4 and its cheap too. We want the Fiat Panda story :D

[@JoshuaC923]

James may approves!

[@erfgoedgidsveenhuizen]

Concurring

[@everready19373]

It was sold as the Seat Panda. Say-ought.

[@neolancer]

@@everready19373 Yes, and some of the Fiat Panda sold in Europe, was made by Seat until licence was expired.

[@neolancer]

My family had a SEAT Panda 40, in all steel panels had the brand FIAT engraved. The only differences was the badges and the brand in the steering wheel and wheel caps.

[@unglaubiger5645]

In germany many people call the new Jimny the small G-Wagon, becuase of the design. But I like the new one. No round design, no downsizing engine.

[@mateuszzimon8216]

IRC u can buy a mod kit to swap front to G-wagon, bronco etc

[@mateuszzimon8216]

@Uncle Joe DAMD make a old school "The Roots" to make more Jimny into Jimny

[@maxschon7709]

They could even had to a Jinmy made in Germany. 1990 Sukuzi had strong negotiations on putting a brand new assemlby line close to Zwickau and calling it Trabant N1 to get money from the Treuhand. They even imported two Maruti and glued a IFA logo on and made photos. On the end same like the Renault Wartburg deal - only hot air.

[@keithpratt2026]

K.Pratt I once owned both hardtop and convertible Samurai models. Excellent in bad weather conditions, open fields. Reliable, great gas mileage; both engines quit and the engine blocks split and broke in the same area. Gave them both to a guy called the Suzuki Doctor here in Nashville, TN. I still miss them. Thanks Suzuki!

[@AllCarswithJon]

Honestly one of your best vids. I've always been a Jeep fan (still am) and as a teenager and early-20's adult with a CJ5 I remember joking about the Suzuki "Somersault". Years later, I came to appreciate what a simple, reliable, lightweight, and capable offroader it really was. It's criminal CR was allowed to slander them and drive them out of the market, and the latest version would be a hit here in the US with the 'retro' movement the Defender and Bronco are leading. Honestly, I'd love one if it was really affordable tody!

[@map3384]

I purchased a brand new CJ7 in 1986. Even the longer CJ7 had a high center of gravity and could roll over if you didn’t watch it. You had to respect its limitations. That being said it never failed me.

[@marshinator630]

My mate drove to mongolia from northern england and back in a £400 jimny he absolutley loved that car

[@kickedinthecalfbyacow7549]

Does the M62 go to Mongolia?

[@johnpearson492]

I have a friend with an 88 Samurai. It's absolutely brilliant. Super capable, and equally at home on a snowy mountain road or driving along the beach.

[@Spacecab]

I imported my '93 Jimny to Canada from Japan this year and I love it! Very cheap and very easy to build up into a seriously capable offroader!

[@damcoentertainment3956]

This is such an underrated channel! You make great content, keep it up!

[@BigCar2]

Thanks! I try.

[@ashzchauhan3437]

It didn't fail in India... Its a legend here.. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Gypsy King

[@jagathmallar1521]

True..

[@arca9e295]

I absolutely love my Suzuki Samurai, had it since 2011 and I’ll never get rid of it. And to those who need more power to keep up with modern traffic, swap in the 1.6 MPFI engine from the larger Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara

[@deathwrenchcustom]

I used to have a friend that had one of those. Man, that thing would go ANYWHERE! 😆

[@jamesnewman4351]

One of our friends dad has a Samurai 410(Santana) bought in 87 . It still works well and has done 500.000 km with the same engine!!!

[@ronniejaye1]

I drove mine with common sense and I remembered it was an off-road vehicle being used on road. Only careless and inexperienced drivers gave it a bad reputation.

[@kevintanumihardja3881]

There was once a flood in my city. All cars were trapped including Landrovers. All, except this one brave Jimney. The car went on despite the water was already at the same level as the hood.

[@canaboost]

It was a sad day when Suzuki left Canada a few years ago. We haven't seen a Jimny since 95 but the Vitara was here till the end.

[@zortella]

I wish Suzuki would return to the US market. I owned two of them ( a Swift GT and Aerio SX ). They were the best cars and you got a lot for your money. I would definitely buy another one given the chance.

[@Oystein87]

Never seen a Suzuki I would want to own but they are in general good cars. Not the best, but good and yes you kinda get a good value. They are just not for me :P

[@D_2_M]

Very difficult to sell SWB Jimny in USA even Jeep SWB dell in shall numbers compare to LWB version. Now if the new Ford bronco can make SWB off-roaders cool again then Suzuki might have an opportunity to sell SWB off-roaders cheaper smaller. Plus last time Suzuki too scared to sell Jimny in USA because of the safety requirement. It's weird though Jeep somehow pass the safety test eventhough everybody knows Jeep is not the safe car on highway. Must be some sort of protectionism so Jeep can grab the market share.

[@Tom_pr]

@@Oystein87 Kizashi maybe

[@LouisSubearth]

Suzuki struggled because they're great at building small cars, but anything larger they needed to partner with someone else, before they left North America, they had partnered with General Motors and Nissan to supply them with SUVs and trucks respectively but they came too late. Now Suzuki is about to sell a badge engineered RAV4 which they could use to re-enter the North American market.

[@kenfrazee2779]

Swift gt is fun, need to chip mine.

[@nathanjoseph4284]

Nice! It would be really cool though if the new Jimmy was sold in the US, as a Bronco/Wrangler competitor. Also really dig that Lego display, too! :)

[@BigCar2]

Thanks!

[@DanSlotea]

Would probably beat the shit out of wranglers for the same money

[@questioner1596]

It would be hard for Suzuki to come back to North America, since there are still Subaru and Nissan competing as the also-ran Japanese brands against Toyota and Honda. Subaru has the AWD market that Suzuki was competing for, and Nissan has the bargain market.

[@DanSlotea]

@Uncle Joe a lot less money. A 10 years old jimny properly equipped probably costs as much or even less than a 10 years old stock wrangler.

[@niichuuko1095]

Considering it's literally still the same size as the samurai that was in the US market all those years prior, I don't think it's exactly bronco or wrangler competition. It would be something very different indeed, and I don't think it'd pass safety regs in the USA anyway

[@BlueShift2000]

The SJ 410 was the first car which drove with my grandfather (3 Years old), and it was the first car which drove entirely alone (6-7 years old). I drove it up on an old broken ruin. He even has it nowadays and he drives it still with his 4x4 club.

[@anomilumiimulimona2924]

Awesome, a sj410 was my first 4x4, and i beat it near to death. After some fuxin up, its still here!

[@oczuk32]

I still have my 1988 Samurai jx. Is not fast but gets me everywhere when Im off-roading.

[@jameswu9363]

So glad I found this video. Well done. I still daily drive my 87 Samurai and its never let me down. I love driving it. I wish Suzuki was still in the US.

[@dennishough3709]

Me too. Love the Samurai/Jimny.

[@bruceholinight7978]

Greetings from Canada , I've had several of those little 80s Suzy's , they were the real deal , straight axel , short wheelbase tough as hell ! Just as bad ass as an old Toyota , wish I could find one !

[@HumourousMonk]

Called as maruti suzuki gyspy in india . One of the offroading legend

[@arnavsadhu]

Used by the Indian army for its great performance in the Himalayas

[@HumourousMonk]

@@arnavsadhu yea. It's always a army favourite

[@mattwolf7698]

I wish it was still sold in the US, I love the current gen one.

[@buddy8225]

This is my favorite off roader and always well be. Thanks for sharing.😀

[@1701enter]

I had the joy of renting a Jimny in the Greek island of Kefalonia for six weeks in 2015 the little car was made in the mid ninety's and I loved it to bits! I was working as a hotel and villa safety auditor so had to navigate all kinds of crappy roads and mountains to get to some of the properties. I doubt the little guy had ever been serviced properly but every day without fail it started and took me on my journey ... what a car!

[@flipflopthong2]

Jimny has a long waiting list in Australia. The name quietly changed from Sierra to Jimny some time ago.

[@N0th1ng2C]

I have to say the jimny deserves such a video!

[@Guide504]

My 2 jimnys are members of the family, the older one is retired to light duty as a picking vehicle on the farm. My main works vehicle and daily driver is used everywhere, and we are hoping to wecome our newest arrival next year. For those who need one there is no other.

[@21jimmyo]

My first new car was an1987 Samurai. At 7995. plus tax it was a bargain. It came with manual everything and I had to pay extra for a back seat and a mount so I could put in a radio. It was super reliable and great off-road and in the snow. If the sold the Jimny in the U.S. I would buy one.

[@laranaarana]

My father had this vehicle way back in 1976, and I used to drive it around. It was a great little 4X4. It was called 'The Steel Donkey' in my country!

[@marem3038]

The Gypsy,still have it runs good,safety:0,utility: 💯.

[@petersargeant1555]

In Australia they were called Sierra and aso sold by Holden (GM), who called it the Drover. LWB models also had a fibreglass roof and back wall added to the cab to become the stockman ute.

[@starkhenrik7179]

Keisha? Jasmine? Kierra? Megan? Lisa? Ashley? Sierra? Sarah?

[@snells-window]

My first 4wd was a Suzuki LJ50 with a 3 cylinder 539cc engine and raw 2 stroke power. Although it sounded like a lawnmower, it would run rings around anything out bush, a brilliant little vehicle. Never tipped it over on the road, very stable...but did tip it over a couple of times on rough goat tracks. No problems it was just pushed back up on it's feet to keep going. Pulled out a bogged Range Rover once - told me my car wouldn't be up to it; then drove straight through the bog afterwards.

[@joshuahedgecock2303]

Thank you for this video! I have a 1986 Suzuki Samurai, it was my first car and I still drive it! Never lets me down! And, still has the original motor!

[@23ofSeptember]

I live in Japan (Kumagaya) and I'm buying a Jimny! Black JB64. Gunna be sweet!

[@MrRea112]

These history lessons are fabulous for their detail!

[@denniscoughlin7437]

I love these Suzuki's. I had an 88 samurai and it was awesome off road! Jumped like a quad. Gas mileage was incredible also!

[@martinclarke974]

I have the current generation and I absolutely love this car - my other car is a 2018 5 series but I cannot help but gravitate back to this little charmer. I get so many waves in the Jimny from fellow owners and other drivers. It did take 12 months to arrive but I love the darn thing.

[@Sergio_Math]

Another great video! My grandpa owned the first two generations (One of them he keeps for farm work) and I might buy a new one. Mighty little cars.

[@6917233]

When I first saw a Samurai I thought what a toy. I needed some transportation and had a chance to buy a 1988, it brought back the joy of driving. Ran into some hard times and had to sell it. Wish I hadn't, I had more fun driving the Samurai, than any car I have ever owned Never found a place it couldn't get me into and out of, never felt unstable, and never let me down. If I ever find another that I can afford, I will get it. More smiles per mile that any other car I have ever owned.

[@billymule961]

I live in Arizona and I have a 1986 Samurai and it will go anywhere I point it. It has no top end but the places I drive it you can't go fast anyway. This is a unique vehicle to say the least. I have summer doors and winter doors, they just lift off to change, put on a half top for shade or a full top for warmth. The engine has been overhauled, there is no rust anywhere and it's never been rolled. It's worth more now than when it was new. I wish I would have known the value would appreciate so much, I would have kept my other ones,( this is my fourth one). I don't think I will ever part with it.

[@dhruvd7803]

It's called Gypsy here in India and has earned a tittle of Mountain Goat. Mostly used by enthusiasts and Millitary, Gypsy is one of the most respected off roader in my country

[@caileanshields4545]

Big Car saves my sanity once again. Top work as always, sir. :)

[@BigCar2]

Glad to hear it Cailean!

[@caileanshields4545]

​@@BigCar2 Always enjoy your stories, always learn something from them. :) Not to impose/demand, but I'd love to to see some more BMC/British Leyland/Austin-Rover/Rover stories (the Hillman Imp, Austin 3-Litre, the Land Crab, the Maxi, the Allegro, Marina/Ital etc) at some point in the future, as all those cars really do fascinate me (part of me wants to own one of the above models. Barmy I know lol). Age may have something to do with it (for reference, I was 2 years old when the Rover 75 was launched), but mostly because I think they have gained a unnecessarily bad rap. But I'm starting to waffle on a bit lol Again, top work. :)

[@BigCar2]

​@@caileanshields4545 The first car I owned (and drove, and crashed) was a Marina. Hey, that sounds like a good intro to a video! I nearly did the Austin Princess next, but something else shiny caught my eye. The problem with doing more 70s BL cars is the story is similar to other videos - unions, crap management, no funding, cars were crap. But yes, I would like to do more at some point.

[@LucianoMMatias]

I had a Samurai years ago. The 1.0 engine was slow and had no confort on the road, but of road it was great!

[@ronniejaye1]

I had an 87 longbody with the fiberglass top. It was a surplus vehicle sold off by the Canadian military. It was unstoppable and it could pull absolutely everything! If I could get one in Canada , I'd buy it today !

[@davidhinkson8856]

The ideal vehicle for those wishing to get into off roading seriously, because they are highly affordable, there are tons of parts available to modify them, they are easy to work on and pretty reliable too.

[@lourenco_ss]

Damn I want one! The new one is absolutely amazing and special! Thank you for this really pleasent story! In Greek islands there are a lot of Jimnys because of rough roads and hard to cruise landscapes!

[@BigCar2]

Glad you liked it Lourenço!

[@KiranPPatil]

Good to know the history of the Jimny. So the Gypsy which I am using for last 8 years as my primary car is descendant of Hope Star 😊🤘

[@janoskurko8015]

I love the car's honesty, the fact that is an underdog, funny that along its entire history its always seemed to missed the spotlight, funnily enough the story is repeating here in Europe with the redraw o the new model. In the last 10 years always rented Jimnnys in the summer vacations on the Greek and Balearic islands, such a cheerful character, absolute of-road mountain goat, exploring wild beaches and going on mountain trails is an absolute blast.

[@derekperkins7343]

I had the LJ80 as a young man. Did everything, went everywhere. How I wish I still had it.

[@Assimilator1]

I work at a Suzuki dealer, so regularly work on the 2 recent generations, but it's interesting to find out the history of it. Btw I'm surprised you didn't mention how the sales of the current generation Jimny have been strangled by CO2 average company emission rules (as it's Suzuki's thirstiest car in the UK, and Europe too I believe). As a result they switched to making a van version, which are not covered those rules! lol. Demand far out strips supply!

[@ninetalis]

So glad somebody finally makes a good history video about this amazing vehicle. I own two, a 3rd gen 2003 16-valve SOHC G13BB version and a 2nd gen 1998 JA22W 660CC K6A turbocharged version. These will go anywhere and will keep up with any other stock off roader (including my buddy's defender), and in some cases will go even further than others. I love them both and I'm never selling my G13BB baby. You did make a few small mistakes here and there in the video, but the biggest one is stating the 3rd gen came outright with the dashboard buttons to select between 2wd, 4wd and 4wd low, but this update only happened with the facelift models in 2005 you mention later. The 4th gen also uses a lot more design elements from the 2nd gen instead of the 1st gen you show. I also don't think you truly emphasized enough how far Consumer reports went to discredit the Samurai. They altered the course ONLY because they wanted it to tip and discredit it because it was was a Japanese car which actually TIPPED LESS than the American competitors it was actively outselling. They made it run the course over 70 times while testing the others on a simpler course only 15 times, and outright lied about it tipping over easily by a simple manoeuvre without doing 'stunt driver steering imputs', but video footage shows the test drivers turning the steering wheel over more than 2 full rotations in seconds in attempts make it tip, and kept bragging about it for years how they destroyed the sales of one of the best selling SUV's of the day.

[@mateuszzimon8216]

Samurai/Jimny goes furter on loose ground (beach etc)

[@gbp2]

I guess SOMEONE forgot the immediately following debacle involving the Ford Bronco II which only rolled because of changes to install the anti-tipping outriggers. Consumers Union have NEVER been friendly to American marques. I am (And was) surprised they went to such efforts with a Japanese car.

[@ninetalis]

@@gbp2 There is more than enough evidence on this specific case. If you watch the court case videos and documents you will see how far Consumer reports went on the sole basis of discrediting it. The car was less prone to tipping than all the other (American) competitors and they brought in more capable drivers just to make it tip. Anyway, I feel sorry for you guys. You lost a cheap, reliable and extremely capable car and later the whole brand, solely on the basis of a company hating on a foreign car outselling 'comparable' native models. There is a reason why most owners replace their old Jimny with a new Jimny, or own multiple.

[@Jb74W]

I love my samurai SJ413 from 1995,what a 4x4, it still amaze me how tought he his.

[@sq1rlsqu4d]

Indeed dude, they were fantastic. Problem was that few had an idea how to drive them offroad :-/

[@1danny2k]

Same here though mine is lwb. But I love it

[@LMG6989]

Have an 87 samurai and its the beat and most fun vehicle I have ever owned.

[@nelsonmarques1334]

Had one, and I regret selling it.

[@mlugin8050]

The new 4th generation jimny is a beautiful car imo

[@aabikrman]

I purchased a Samurai a few months ago instead of a UTV/side by side off-road machine and I definitely made the right choice. My little Samurai has become my daily driver and off-road, this little thing is like a mountain goat and I have a heater (nice to have here in the rockies of southwest Colorado) and I don't have to trailer. Turns out the Samurai has incredible off-road capability and I rarely truly need 4-wheel drive. In addition to it's off-raod ability, I think it's the spartan, no-frills design that I like. The gearbox has a definite mechanical sound to it as you go thru the gears, and it's extremely economical to drive. She's happiest on back country roads and or speed at about 50-60 mph but mine will easily cruise at 65-70 but she's turning a lot of rpm and her highway manners are not the best with minimal soundproofing. I filled up today on the way home from work taking 6.8 gallons of gasoline after traveling 183 miles which is 26.9 gal per mile. Not bad for a 1.6L 8 valve engine (mine has a transplanted engine from a '91 Tracker. I'm looking forward to driving it this winter in the snow !

[@chevydyall7619]

I actually think the new Suzuki jimny is the best retro design of all manufacturers. They haven't tried to hard to incorporate old looks into a modern car. A++ to the designers, you guys knocked it outta the oark

[@harshithsadhana7475]

sadly Indians won''t get the new jimny, it didn't fail, the factory were not bothered to fix the car. plus MPVs became huge deal at that time

[@mohitjamwal7697]

I have a 2018 gypsy... In india It is awesome on snowy himalays

[@NitroStreet]

So glad you mentioned India and our Indian Gypsy. Although gypsy failed in sales, it has a huge fan following now in India. People are building them to be extremely capable off-roaders and doing all kind of crazy stuff with them. The indian army is still receiving the 2nd gen gymny (Gypsy) on special request from the Indian government. The prices for Gypsy s in the used market is very high due to high demand. It is the only petrol powered off roader India got so it is still a favourite for all the off road enthusiasts.

[@amaccama3267]

A few years ago my wife and I were sitting at home when I heard a fast approaching car. A few tyre blips and crash and scraping sounds later it went quiet. Upon walking outside I saw a dude climbing out the driver's side window of a yep Suzuki Jimny. 20 minutes later 5 guys show up, tip it back onto its wheels and drove off 😆😁😁😆🇦🇺

[@monomanual]

08:04 Im watching this video precisely from Chile Greetings from the end of the world And keep up the good work!

[@BigCar2]

Thanks!

[@efranklin85]

I miss my Samurai. I was tall enough to reach every corner whilst sitting in the driver seat.

[@kevinparker461]

A mate brought a second hand Jimny a few years back & i was ripping the piss for months!!. We then took it out shooting a few rabbits one night & i had to take it all back, amazing little off roader, it was getting us through some places another mates Land rover had made look hard!. It earned my respect!.

[@MayheM_72]

I remember back in high school, one of my buddy's older sister had a "Samurai". I thought they were pretty cool, not realizing how under powered they were for US roads. I'd still take one today for around town driving, or for dirt roads to go camping and/or fishing.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I remember the Suzuki Samurai. It was sold back in the 1980s. I was still too young to drive at the time, but I used to know people who have owned them, and despite its reputation for tipping over when making emergency manoeuvres, they didn't have any such handling problems.

[@sparky6086]

It seems like a competitor must have bribed Consumer Reports to go to such an effort to show the Samurai/Jimny in such a bad light. I think, that there is more to the story. There likely was an under the table settlement to keep the identity of that competitor in the dark, once Consumer Report's bogus testing came to light.

[@BigCar2]

Or not. There's no evidence one way or another. Or aliens could have hypotised them into doing it.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@sparky6086 It's typical of *Consumer Reports.* They stage everything to make something look better than they really are, or worse than they really are. I read Consumer Reports from time to time, but I'm always skeptical of how they find out how a product.

[@sparky6086]

@@BigCar2 If Consumer Report's is non-profit, if they go out of their way to achieve a result, it's healthy skepticism to believe in the possibility, that something underhanded went on.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@BigCar2 ROFFL! I like that! *"Aliens hypnotise car into flipping over."* I love your videos. Very historical. It's always interesting to see how a car came on the market. Keep up the good work. :)

[@flemmingsorensen5470]

Fantastic video - I especially like the Land Rover comparison: spot on 👍🇬🇧🇯🇵

[@BigCar2]

I was surprised when I worked that out. I had to research the size of each car. It's just made it larger than the Series 1, but not any of the other versions.

[@MarcStjames-rq1dm]

I remember a snow storm hit and i couldn't get up a steep hill with my groceries... a neighbor stopped in his sidekick and we just went up with no problem at all....I was very impressed. No other car was able to make it. the sidekick was in its element.

[@JamieBainbridge]

I knew a mechanic whose mum owned a Jimny in the 80s. It had a commercial conversion kit to install a Toyota 4K motor (1290cc). Compared to the original motor he said "it could climb a vertical wall".

[@marlboro9tibike]

the new one is almost perfect. I want soft canvas roof version

[@clooperman3745]

Whilst the new Jimny is quite civilised compared to the Samurai it is not as tough as the Samurai and no better offroad in standard trim than the Samurai, I know I had a LWB 413 and have now got a new Jimny, the air conditioning is nice in hot weather.

[@themidnightracer3537]

Love the videos you make, really enjoyed this episode of the Suzuki sj I have the grand vitara and I love it never let me down and surprisingly capable off road, not a flying machine especially when it’s designed like a brick but good fun

[@hugomoura2714]

I must love my 1985 Samurai. This One was bild in Japan, seld in Germany and now living in Portugal. It will stay in the family for many more years.

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you. Great pictures of the 1971 right hand drive "demonstrator" I bought in Lemon Grove, CA, USA, in 1971. 360 cc's of 2 stroke air cooled with a 4 speed transmission and 2 speed transfer case. Kind of guacamole green. Great memories.

[@dogcowrph]

Thank you for all your wonderful videos. I’m from the USA so I appreciate hearing about cars that either never made to my shored or left this market but continue around the globe. Again thank you.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks for watching Drew!

[@AlexvanMelsen]

Love my '96 Vitara convertible to death, just a fun car to enjoy the back roads in the region in the weekends. Great to see the whole Jimny story and the short branch of the Vitara/Sidekick, although the Vitara is not a larger version; it's more sort of a luxury SUV styled variant.

[@rohanburgess3320]

I still drive my 1990 Suzuki Sierra sj70 (Australian name for Jimny/sj413) 50km a day in city traffic and taken it from Canberra to Cape York and into the desert. They are cheap to fix and go anywhere. Only things letting them down off road are the lack of power in 5th (so it hates hills at highway speeds), and the low range could be lower for crawling (but they are still pretty unstoppable)

[@kevinasman1036]

As the owner of a 2016 3rd gen Jimny, I can confirm that these little cars are fantastic. They are super capable and practical. I wouldn't trade it in for any other car.

[@ianschroeder5104]

Where did you get all of these Japanese advert photos? I love them so much! I have a 1986 tin top samurai

[@djs5074]

I spent a month driving an old Jimny around Costa Rica. Hilly off road tracks and river crossings no problem.

[@ashzciwobuz1277]

My uncle has had two gen 3 jimnys and I almost bought a gen4 this year. See them around pretty often around Australia

[@1928ModelA1931]

Funny story that maybe they wouldn't get in Japan. Here in Canada (Greater Vancouver BC area) we got the first glimpse of these little buggers in the early 80s or so. The LJ80 model from what I see here is what I recall. I had a buddy that spotted them at a local car dealer. I believe it was the Ford dealer locally who brought them in or possibly the motorsports dealer next door to the Ford store. My friend who was an avid outdoors type had had owned a couple of interesting off-road 2 cycle powered tracked vehicles for fun and hunting but thought something more street-able was the ticket. He saw these little Suzuki rigs and thought that would be just the vehicle to take hunting etc. He said "let's go check those little ATV buggies out" I want to measure one and see if it will fit in the back of my Chevy pickup truck. I'll tell you, it was quite a moment when the salesman started talking MPG and highway speeds to my pal. He just laughed at the salesman and said "ya, if you could license them for the street!" "no" said the salesman, they are a fully functional street vehicle. "They can run up to like 60MPH." In the words of Thin Lizzy; "man we just fell about the place". We were pretty sure the salesman was off his rocker. No way these things are street driven. Thus was our introduction to the now iconic little 4x4s that took Canada by storm as well. Well the 2nd generation did. Those early ones never really were taken seriously. That is until one pulled up to me at a traffic light!

[@teamracing6]

Thanks for reminding me of this vehicle. You are correct, here in the States we don't even know they still exist. Shame, the latest is awesome looking. I owned a Samurai hardtop for a short while in the late 80's. It was a fun little car. I came close to rolling over once when someone pulled out from the side of the road and hit the right rear wheel. I didn't roll over fortunately, but I did go a few yards on 2 wheels. Fun times!

[@shaunw9270]

This is one of those cars where I wouldn't mind owning any of them !

[@mateuszzimon8216]

U can get a new one, after 5-8 month in line to get one

[@ncironhorse8367]

We had a Samurai in when they first hit the shores in the USA and I went to own a Tracker in the late nineties and again in the mid 2000's. Great vehicles for the purpose of their design. CR is the poster child for why we should not believe the media. Sad that we cannot have these vehicles here because I would love another one.

[@1969Risky]

Aka Suzuki Sierra & Holden Drover for Australian markets. extremely popular with farmers especially the ones with the flat beds on the back. Easy to drive & very simple layout. The small engines never suited me but friends I know who bought them, swear by them. When the Vitara came along I bought those due to the larger engine. I'm amazed that Suzuki 4x4's were never popular as these things defied what you threw at it. I've even seen them tow out the bigger boys when they got stuck due to their weight. I've driven plenty over the years & if you want something ultra-reliable, you'll never look back. I'm very tempted at the moment to buy the current model & watching this reiterates why I want one. Great story.

[@Tom_pr]

And Australia got the mightyboy ;)

[@1969Risky]

@@Tom_pr a mate of mine had one of those. It was a go kart on wheels

[@erroneouscode]

@@Tom_pr A pretty rare sight these days.