Is a Suzuki Jimny hybrid coming? Electric 4WD could be on the cards as Japanese brand commits to going all hybrid in just a few years

In bombshell news for the Suzuki Jimny fan base, the current-generation model could be upgraded with petrol-electric hybrid powertrains by the end of 2025.

As part of Suzuki Australia’s push towards lowering its emissions figures across its model range, the company will adopt an all-hybrid showroom by the end 2025. And, given the huge demand for the Jimny small 4WD, that means there could be hybrid power coming for that little off-roader, too.

Details of the new Jimny Hybrid’s powertrain are yet to be announced, but a glimpse at some of the brand’s other models with petrol-electric power reveals a few options.

It could be that the Jimny scores the so-called Full Hybrid powertrain from the European market Vitara, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a 24kW/60Nm electric motor. Total combined outputs are 85kW/138Nm.

The Full Hybrid powertrain is available in front-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), but the fundamental difference between the vehicles that currently run that powertrain and the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) based Jimny model means it might be a new interpretation that makes it to production.

Obviously the details are still to be confirmed, but Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia general manager, said the brand is on track to be fully hybrid by 2025, so it stands to reason that the Jimny - which is currently the brand’s second-best-selling vehicle behind the just-axed Baleno hatch - will also receive the petrol-electric powertrain treatment.

“We’re trying to introduce products that fall into line with our CO2 standard,” said Mr Pachota. “The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has released a CO2 standard schedule for the entire industry to meet - it’s a voluntary schedule at the moment in terms of what’s being recorded - but we’re a part of that and we’re a strong member of that movement.

“The FCAI is trying to meet a certain standard by 2030, and each year they’re improving those standards year on year for all manufacturers to try and get in line. We’re getting into 2023, and a lot of manufacturers have made announcements they are trying to meet that standard by 2030 - we’re going to try and meet it by 2025,” said Mr Pachota.

“Our model introduction plan, based on their schedule, looks as though we could complete it by 2025. To do so, we’re going to have to introduce hybrid technology fairly soon - it’s just around the corner. It’s no longer a matter of if, it’s a matter of when, and we will be making more announcements on that next year.” 

That isn’t to say the Jimny will be first cab off the rank when it comes to hybrid model introductions. It is CarsGuide’s understanding that the S-Cross hybrid will be first (the non-hybrid updated version has just launched here), followed by the new-generation Swift, which is set to go hybrid only for its new-generation model.

For reference, the existing non-hybrid Jimny's fuel consumption is rated at 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres for the manual, and 6.9L/100km for the auto.