Real Jimny user experience reviews

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Introduction

The purpose of this article is to contain several unrelated real Jimny user experience reviews, both when used off road and in ordinary everyday on-road situations, both in urban environments and long intercity trips.

Both Jimny 3 and Jimny 4 reviews are included.

Review 1

Review by forum user 300bhpton:

Introduction

Apart from some differential guards, my Jimny 4 is 100% bone stock. I have also only driven it on one type of off road terrain. The terrain is semi-technical with a fair number of axle twisters and areas to test approach/departure angles.

Basis for comparison

I have been driving off road in one form or another since the age of about 11. Mostly in Land Rovers, although a few Jeeps and other vehicles thrown in the mix also. I grew up on a farm and learnt to drive in a Land Rover in a field. But for over 20 years I have also competed in off road trials competitions.

As a direct comparison today, I was comparing to my 88 Land Rover, as it has the same wheelbase as the Jimny, open diffs, no traction control system ("TCS"). It has a wider track and slightly modified suspension. But nothing overly radical.

Good points about the Jimny

• For a bone stock vehicle, there is no denying the Jimny can cover the terrain.
  • To call it a mountain goat is probably pretty fair.
• It doesn't get stopped, not even on road biased tyres.
• Overall, it feels moderately good in stability and control.
• It is also very nimble and manoeuvrable with fairly good steering lock.
• The TCS massively enhances its capability.

Bad points about the Jimny

• It doesn't go slow enough in low 1st gear for technical off roading.
• It is also very easy to stall with the 5-speed manual. This happens when trying to go at tickover speeds and especially when also using the TCS.
• While the TCS is hugely impressive, it does require you to use some throttle, which can make you lurch over obstacles and crash down fairly hard when you have a wheel high in the air.
• For me the vehicle just wants to go a little too quickly for the terrain I'm on, which makes it harder work and less relaxing.
  • Part of the issue is the reliance on the TCS system.
• The JB74, despite being a live axle 4x4, still seems to want to lift a wheel quite frequently.
  • Having watched lots of videos on YouTube of a Jimny 4 in action, you can clearly see this.
  • The stock suspension setup just lacks the flex for this kind of off roading.
  • However, all of the aftermarket suspension kits I've seen on YouTube seem to transform this capability.
• I also found the front approach angle to be somewhat of an issue and have thus far scraped/impacted the front bumper into the ground, as well as the super silly ultra low front tow point.

• "Green laning" and moving trailers is in my experience quite a bit faster than some technical off road terrain can be.
• I’m not saying the Jimny can’t do it, but I have stalled a few times.
  • Without the TCS you’d have just stopped and been crossed axled.
  • But with TCS it will get itself through the obstacle.
    • However, if you don’t give it enough throttle it can stall itself.
    • On the other hand, if you give it enough throttle, you end up going too quickly.

Review 2

A long term (6-year span) usage review by a Brazilian Jimny 3 owner named Daniel Brooke Peige on his blog, written in Portuguese language. Very good usability review.

• Link to the article

Review 3

Write your own review here ...

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Page last edited on 17/01/2021 by user Bosanek