The Suzuki Jimny is pretty much in a class of one, with no real direct rivals.
No car is this small and light, while also offering this level of off-road ability. Nevertheless, these 10 Jimny alternatives get close and, if you can be flexible with your budget or body style, you might find one of them fits your needs better.
Most of these options are available as great-value nearly new and used cars from Motorpoint.
Fiat Panda 4x4
Fiat's been building off-road Pandas since the '80s, and the most recent version is just as capable. It relies on a simple viscous coupling to engage its rear axle when the front wheels start to slip. While this isn't as sophisticated as the Jimny's more serious hardware, it's still an effective and lightweight solution. The Panda 4x4 already has excellent ground clearance, so add a set of knobbly off-road tyres and it should be able to cover most of the same ground as the Jimny.
Browse used Fiat Panda cars for sale
Land Rover Defender
Jimny prices on the used market remain stubbornly high because so few cars can do what it does. You'll find the same effect with used Land Rover Defenders, which hold on to plenty of value even as they rack up the miles. Being based on a decades-old design, the Defender definitely feels 'old-school', with a cramped cabin, noisy engines and somewhat floppy driving dynamics. However, point it at a dirt road and it'll match the Jimny beat-for-beat, while also being able to carry more cargo or tow a heavier trailer.
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Dacia Duster Extreme
Despite its 'Extreme' billing, this version of the Dacia Duster will play second fiddle to the Jimny on an off-road trail. However, in the Duster's favour are its impressive affordability and practicality, and the fact it's much easier to live with when driving on-road. It's smoother, more comfortable and more refined, plus the extra power from the Duster's turbocharged petrol engine means it'll be more relaxing on the motorway. The Duster's ground clearance along with a set of off-road tyres are your friends here, as are the Extreme's washable interior trim.
Check out used Dacia Duster cars or read our Dacia Duster review
Jeep Renegade
Jeep has never built a car quite as small as the Jimny, but the 4.2-metre-long Renegade is noticeably more compact than the rest of the brand's gas-guzzling lineup. You'll find efficient two-wheel-drive models lower down in the range but, pick out one of the Trailhawk models, and you'll get grippy four-wheel drive, plus better ground clearance, arrival and departure angles, and wading depth. The upright cabin is just about practical enough for a small family, and there's even a plug-in-hybrid model that can slash your fuel bills.
Suzuki Ignis
This is a small Suzuki with off-road styling and tall ground clearance. No, not still the Jimny – this is the Ignis supermini. It's geared more towards on-road driving with occasional light off-roading, which is why its Allgrip four-wheel-drive system relies on simpler viscous coupling to engage the rear wheels only when the fronts slip. The result, however, is a car that's more affordable than the Jimny and easier to live with if most of your driving happens on the road. You'll also appreciate its small but clever cabin, with handy sliding rear seats.
Shop used Suzuki cars for sale or read our Suzuki Ignis review
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler traces its origins back to the original mass-market off-roader. It's grown up since the original CJ Jeep, with a bigger body, more power and way more on-board features. None of the off-road ability has been sacrificed, however, with tough solid axles and locking differentials to improve grip on slippery surfaces. Four-door Wranglers are spacious enough for family buyers, with useful rear-seat and cargo space, but the two-door model feels like more an authentic Jeep – especially if you take the doors off while off-roading!
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Subaru Crosstrek
You might wonder why the Subaru Crosstrek is on this list, because it has the practical body of a family hatchback, not a rugged off-roader. Look closer, however, and you'll spot its raised ride height and its tough plastic cladding to protect the paint from scuffs and scrapes. Underneath, you'll find an efficient self-charging-hybrid setup that offers strong real-world economy, especially in mixed driving. That hybrid system is connected to Subaru's symmetrical four-wheel-drive system, so the Crosstrek will go further off-road than you might expect.
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Range Rover Evoque
Since values for used Jimnys are fairly high, why not put that budget towards something with a posher badge on the nose. Take the Range Rover Evoque, for example. This is a premium, highly desirable SUV, complete with plush materials and high-tech features inside, but don't go thinking it can't hold its own on a dirt road. You get a suite of clever off-road tech, plus proper four-wheel drive to keep you going in the rough stuff. Expect to pay a little more than the Jimny to buy and run an Evoque, but it's truly the Swiss Army Knife of small SUVs.
Check out used Range Rover Evoque cars or read our Range Rover Evoque review
Jeep Avenger 4xe
The Avenger is Jeep's second foray into the compact SUV class after the Renegade, and focuses even more on on-road performance. Most versions are two-wheel drive and there's even a fully electric version if you want Jeep looks with no exhaust emissions whatsoever. However, if you're after an Avenger that lives up to the Jeep name, check out the 4xe mild hybrid. This adds a reasonably powerful electric motor to both axles, giving the car four-wheel drive and substantially improved off-road traction, as well as improved fuel economy.
Browse used Jeep cars or read our Jeep Avenger review
Suzuki Vitara
The Vitara is a little larger than the Jimny in Suzuki's lineup, and is a better choice if you're looking for a small family car. Most Vitaras are front-wheel drive for efficiency, but you can option the car with Allgrip four-wheel drive. This setup is more involved than the Ignis above, with the ability to swap between automatic 4WD engagement, through sport and snow modes, or even lock both axles together for ultimate off-road grip. It's quite a bit quicker than the Jimny too, thanks to its punchy 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine.
Take a look at used Suzuki Vitara cars or read our Suzuki Vitara review
Huge discounts on nearly new SUVs
Browse a wide choice of nearly new and used SUVs for sale at Motorpoint. Or, for more options, take a look at our picks for the best SUVs on sale for less than £20,000.
