ARB cargo drawer system vs DIY aluminium build — R25,000 vs R8,000 comparison
Running the Suzuki Jimny for 21 months now, 80557km on the clock including 4 proper off-road trips. Here is my honest take.
The good: the off-road capability straight from factory surprised me. I have done Sani Pass, Richtersveld and multiple Kruger trips without a single mechanical issue. The 2.8L turbodiesel is 8L/100km on tar if you keep it under 120km/h.
The bad: the dealer experience left something to be desired. Also the dealer here in Cape Town could learn something about customer service, but that is a SA-wide problem not specific to this brand.
Mods I have done: ARB Summit bull bar (R12k fitted), Ironman suspension lift (R11k fitted), TRED Pro recovery boards, and a Engel MR040 fridge. Total spend on mods: around R71k. Worth every cent.
Price paid at my Cape Town dealer was R680,000 — they threw in a full tank and floor mats. Finance rate was 11.5% over 72 months which is the reality of SA interest rates in 2025.
Would buy it again. Happy to go into detail on any specific aspect.
6 Replies
The fuel consumption figures you mention match what I see. The AT35 diesel is thirsty when you push it. The issue for me is long-range touring — I fitted a Brown Davis 116L long-range tank to solve the range anxiety completely.
Interesting points on the dealer experience. I had the same in Polokwane — 10 week wait for a service part that should have been in stock. This is why I budget for a proper extended warranty and use an independent workshop that specialises in 4x4s rather than the franchise dealer.
Interesting points on the dealer experience. I had the same in Polokwane — 10 week wait for a service part that should have been in stock. This is why I budget for a proper extended warranty and use an independent workshop that specialises in 4x4s rather than the franchise dealer.
— hannes_strydom
The fuel consumption figures you mention match what I see. The AT35 diesel is thirsty when you push it. The issue for me is long-range touring — I fitted a Brown Davis 83L long-range tank to solve the range anxiety completely.
Good honest review. My experience with the AT35 has been similar — the factory setup is surprisingly capable if you know how to drive it. The tyres are always the first thing that needs changing regardless of which bakkie you buy.
On the mod budget — R73k sounds like a lot but if you are amortising it over 6 years of serious use, it works out to less than R1,000 per month. And the safety improvement in a real recovery situation is not something you can put a price on.
The fuel consumption figures you mention match what I see. The AT35 diesel is thirsty when you push it. The issue for me is long-range touring — I fitted a Brown Davis 116L long-range tank to solve the range anxiety completely.
— jannie_swanepoel
On the mod budget — R68k sounds like a lot but if you are amortising it over 5 years of serious use, it works out to less than R1,000 per month. And the safety improvement in a real recovery situation is not something you can put a price on.