Suzuki Jimny
Crash Safety Ratings
Is your Suzuki Jimny safe enough for your baby?
That depends if it is a used or new car, and what safety features a car has to influence the car crash ratings.
Used Suzuki Crash Safety Ratings
The Monash University Accident Research Centre analysed crash
statistics, from over 7 million police-reported road
crashes in New Zealand and Australia, between 1996 and 2016.
The Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) reflect the overall car crash safety
performance, so in order to score well the car had to protect both the
occupants of the car as well as minimal injury to other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists - basically everyone involved in the crash.
The
data is published as part of a used car buying guide (Used Car Safety
Ratings (UCSR) Buyer's Guide) to help people decide on their
options.
When we first looked at the results in the 2010 analysis, we saw that the small 4WD Suzuki Samurai, Sierra, SJ410 and SJ413 models built between 1982-1999 scored Very Poor in the Crash Safety Ratings, as well as the Suzuki Vitara and Escudo models built between 1988-1998 also scored Very Poor.
Suzuki Jimny has only ever managed to score Poor in that time (see below for the latest brochure exerpt). Suzuki Jimny did not appear in the 2022 ratings.
For further details on more Suzuki 4WD and other brand ratings in the UCSR car buying guide, go to
the latest How Safe is Your Car rating here.
What features help improve safety ratings?
It's suggested that the following features will help a car avoid a crash:
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) or Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Traction Control
- Brake Assist
And the following features will reduce injury and death:
- crumple zones
- collapsible steering wheels
- reinforced door frames
- front, side and curtain airbags
- seatbelts designed to work with airbags
The latest USCR website suggests looking for the following features to include in your car (and the list is not exhaustive):
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind Spot Warning
- Brake Assist
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Front, side, curtain and knee airbags
- Lane Departure Warning
- Seatbelts with pretension devices
Is the NEW Suzuki Jimny safe enough for your baby?
Of course, a new car is generally safer than a used car (largely due to
the additions of safety features, according to the UCSR car buying
guide).
According to the Euro New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) the latest 2019 Jimny has standard
- front airbags (but not for the rear)
- seat belt reminders, belt pre-tensioners and loadlimiters
- side head airbags
- side chest and pelvis airbags (but not for the rear)
- an isofix for the rear child seat
- an airbag cut-off switch for the front passenger only
- AEB Pedestrian, City and Inter-Urban
- Speed assistance
- Lane assist system.
Please note that the ANCAP website states that Lane Keep Assist is not standard but that Lane Departure Warning is standard.
Suzuki has stated previously that the Jimny has crumple zones with a high strength steel frame to disperse the impact away from the cabin, and side impact protection beams. Their website currently states that they have the following:
- airbags (front, side and curtain)
- ABS
- Brake assist system (BAS)
- Vehicle stability control (ESP®)
- Traction control
- Seat belts and child seat anchorage points
- Hill hold control and descent control
The Japanese New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP) (2005 model) over a decade ago gave the ratings 5 out of 6 stars for safety during the collision for the drivers
seat, and 6 out of 6 stars for the front passenger seat. Rear seats
were not tested.
Pedestrian head protection on the bonnet of the Jimny was rated only 1 star out of 5! More recently the JANCAP Suzuki Jimny test was rated more favorably for 2018.
The 2018 Australasia NCAP (ANCAP) and Euro NCAP tests gave an overall rating of 3 stars out of 5 for the latest Jimny model. Safety standards have gotten higher and better since the 2005 JNCAP test. Download the ANCAP report for 2019 and later Jimny models here.
Unfortunately the new model Jimny only scores one extra star more than the used model in the USCR ratings (although they are different tests and not easily compared we will nonetheless compare them as a general guide).
View the collision test:
So what is the moral of the story?
Well, a new Jimny is safer than an old one, however please use the safety information linked above on this page to USCR, ANCAP and Euro NCAP to make the best decision for your family. These websites show you other choices you can make.
Is a new Jimny the safest car you can afford? As with any purchase, buyer beware!
