2021 Suzuki Ignis vs 2024 Suzuki Jimny

What's the difference?

Welcome to one of the world’s tiniest SUVs, as well as amongst Australia’s cheapest – Suzuki’s diminutive Ignis.

There’s an Aussie connection. Holden designer Peter Hughes styled the original YG Cruze based on the first (FH) Ignis of 2000, with both models sharing most components underneath; but the latter was not well received, prompting Suzuki to change tack for its reborn Swift replacement of 2004. Yet the name and concept were revived 11 years later (without GMH) for the retro-themed high-riding hatch/crossover you see here today.

The point? This quick history lesson serves to remind us how similar both Ignis generations are, as well as how devoted Suzuki is in its pursuit of owning the light SUV space.

In June 2020, a facelifted MF arrived, brandishing a revised grille, bumpers and trim to give it a chunkier appearance, along with minor spec changes.

Here we take a long look at the GLX auto.

You really can’t please everyone, can you?

It seems like just about every example of the wildly, ridiculously, immensely popular Suzuki Jimny barely had time for the suspension to settle as it parked in the showroom before it was being snapped up and rolled out for a customer - in fact plenty of Jimnys probably never saw a showroom floor, such was the length of the waiting list.

But even then, you all wanted a bigger version of the Jimny. It’s never enough is it? 

Fine, says Suzuki, here’s an even more easy-to-live-with version of the adorable 4X4 that everyone wants, and these examples will probably continue to fly off the shelves too.

But is the XL just that - a Jimny with two extra doors? Or is there more to it than that?