Suzuki Jimny 2019 confirmed for Australia

Suzuki’s cult-classic 4WD has at last been confirmed for Australia, with the off-road-focused Jimny to launch locally early next year.

In news that will bring tears of joy to fans of Suzuki’s baby, boxy SUV (plenty of whom reside in the CarsGuide offices), the all-new Jimny will arrive in Australia at the end of 2018, ahead of its Q1, 2019 on-sale date.

The news ends a long-standing game of will they/won’t they, with Suzuki Australia previously refusing to confirm a local launch for the Jimny, and removing the current version from its website earlier this year for failing to meet safety requirements.

But the wait is over, with the ladder-frame 4WD finally confirmed.

“The Jimny is synonymous with the Suzuki brand and to have an all-new model on its way is something worth talking about. The Australian landscape will be a true test for the iconic 4WD and I have no doubt it will rise to the challenge,” says Suzuki Australia GM, Michael Pachota.

“I am very excited and highly anticipating the return of this legendary off-road compact SUV, in its all-new guise, to complement our already strong line-up of Suzuki vehicles in Australia.”

Full specification details are yet to be confirmed, but we do know the Jimny will be powered by a four-cylinder, 1.5-litre engine tuned to produce the kind of low-end torque favoured by off-roaders. Helping those credentials, Suzuki's ALLGRIP 4WD system is standard, too, as is hill-descent control, not to mention its iconic solid axles.

Elsewhere, expect DRLs, navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. On the safety front, we'll get dual front, side and curtain airbags.

All of which is enough, according to Suzuki, to make this the most significant update in the Jimny's long history.

Is the Jimny the ultimate off-road bargain? Tell us in the comments below.