The Jimny may not be Maruti’s highest-selling model in India, but it has already managed to develop a loyal, niche following here. Maruti Suzuki first launched this SUV here in mid-2023. Latest news from Japan suggests that the Jimny could get a major facelift next year. According to the report, the SUV will enter its sixth generation in 2027. If it turns out to be accurate, this could be one of the biggest updates to the current-generation Jimny since its introduction in 2018.
According to a report by Response.jpthe Jimny sold in Japan will get a major update next year. By then, the current-generation Jimny will have been on sale for around nine years. It (the three-door) made its global debut in July 2018. The five-door that is now on sale in India, came much later. It is now being exported to Japan and sold there as the Jimny Nomade. The report talks about ‘Jimny’ and does not explicitly mention which version will be updated. Most likely, the changes will apply to both the three-door and five-door versions.
The Jimny has an instantly recognizable design. Round headlamps, boxy silhouette, five-slot front grille, and compact dimensions (even for the five-door). Most of these attributes have remained largely unchanged over the years. The latest Japanese report suggests that Suzuki could introduce significant design changes to what it calls the ‘6th generation’ Jimny.
The most noticeable change, it says, could be at the front. The new SUV is expected to retain the round headlamps, but these could get ring-shaped LED daytime running lights for a more modern appearance. This would add a fresh lighting signature without moving away from the traditional Jimny design.
The five-slot grille is also expected to continue, although the openings could become larger. A more three-dimensional design could give the front fascia a stronger appearance. Suzuki could also redesign the front bumper and add bash plate-like elements on it.
The report also suggests that the changes will mainly focus on the exterior and equipment rather than introducing an entirely new platform. The existing ladder-frame architecture and basic body structure are expected to continue. The current model comes with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, a transfer case and three-link rigid axle suspension at both ends.
An update that was rolled out last year brought several improvements to the Jimny’s overall safety and driver assistance features. It introduced Suzuki’s Dual Sensor Brake Support II collision mitigation braking system, rearward unintended acceleration suppression function, along with lane departure prevention as standard. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) was also added. These improvements are expected to continue into the upcoming facelift as well. It will also get more Suzuki connect features. The next update, according to the report, could introduce even more features to the SUV.
The report also states that the upcoming facelift will likely leave the engine untouched. The Japanese-spec 3-door Jimny is powered by a 658cc inline 3-cylinder DOHC turbo-petrol “R06A” engine. It makes around 64PS and 96Nm and is available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The made-in-India Jimny Nomade (or Sierra in some markets), on the other hand, uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol (K15B) engine making 104.8 PS. These will likely continue on the new model as well.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the upcoming Jimny facelift is whether Suzuki will introduce some form of electrification. Previous rumours had suggested that Suzuki could introduce an all-electric Jimny by the end of the decade. In 2024, however, Suzuki president Toshiro Suzuki ruled out the plan, while talking to Autocar UK. On the sidelines of the E-Vitara’s global debut, Toshihiro Suzuki said ‘ If you talk about the Jimny EV, I think it would ruin the best part of the Jimny. I think the core strength of the Jimny is the right weight’
Earlier this year, an image showing what looked like an electric Jimny undergoing winter testing surfaced online. This reignited speculations around the EV. However, there has been no confirmation of these plans yet.
If the electric Jimny project is to actually move forward, it needs to be done in a way that the vehicle doesn’t water down the nameplate’s legacy and core character. Spy photos showed a solid front axle, and a design that closely resembles that of the internal combustion engine-powered version. The proportions also remain familiar.
Bottomline, there has been no confirmation on EV plans or when and how they would materialise. A hybrid remains another possibility. Even that remains unconfirmed at the time of writing.
The proposed update is expected to arrive in the Japanese market first. The India rollout may happen later.