- Suzuki says a Jimny pickup is not included in its current plans.
- Limited interest and internal findings shaped the final direction.
- A pickup version would require major changes to be considered.
The Suzuki Jimny might be off-limits for American buyers, yet it continues to flourish in markets across the globe, maintaining its loyal following even though the current generation has changed little since its 2018 debut.
Fans have long hoped for a pickup version of the pint-sized off-roader, yet after years of speculation, a Suzuki engineer has confirmed that it isn’t happening.
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Rumors of a Jimny-based pickup surfaced early in the model’s life, especially after Suzuki unveiled the Jimny Sierra Pickup Style concept at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. Enthusiasts took that as a promising hint of what might come next.
Speculation continued following the arrival of the longer-wheelbase Jimny in 2023, and peaked last year, when the general manager of Suzuki Australia hinted at an ongoing development of a two-door pickup.
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Unfortunately, that optimism has now faded. Suzuki Chief Engineer Takamitsu Sasaki told Australian outlet Drive during the Japan Mobility Show that a Jimny-derived pickup is not on the agenda. He explained there is “not really much demand” for such a version, despite years of fan enthusiasm.
Beyond market interest, Sasaki pointed out the technical challenges involved in adapting the platform for a true pickup. “If we were to make a Jimny truck, we would have to make it very durable, and that is very difficult,” he said. “To put a lot of weight on the backside, we need to make the frame stronger.”
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Even if Suzuki chose to strengthen the chassis to increase payload capacity, the pickup would likely need more power than the Jimny’s current 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, which produces 101 hp (75 kW / 102 PS). That engine remains the only option in markets outside Japan, where emissions and simplicity still take priority.
Powertrain Stays Put
When asked about the possibility of a higher-output version, Sasaki dismissed the idea. “We are not considering a bigger powertrain because this model is very particular with the body and the engine. It’s a balance, it’s the just-right size, so we’re not considering a bigger engine.”
A few years back, Suzuki considered an electric Jimny and even floated plans for a fully electric version for Europe that might have exceeded the performance of the combustion model.
However, plans changed in late 2024, when President Toshihiro Suzuki acknowledged that the added weight of an EV would undermine the car’s essential character. He also tempered expectations about a hybrid, signaling that the Jimny will remain purely internal combustion for now.
More recently, Suzuki introduced a mildly updated three-door Jimny in Japan and Australia, receiving subtle safety and tech upgrades to align it with the five-door variant. Mechanically and visually, though, it stays true to form, with no significant changes to its design or underpinnings.
While the Japanese brand won’t add a rear bed to the Jimny anytime soon, those who really want a rugged pickup, and have money to spare, can always opt for an aftermarket conversion.
