Road test: Suzuki Jimny gets the Twisted treatment

While Suzuki’s charming Jimny has many great qualities, with just 101 bhp, power is not one of them. But this isn’t just any Jimny... Join Vicki as she gets to grips with a farmyard tool gone feral.

What happens when you throw lifted suspension, beefy BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres, and a turbocharger, at a humble Suzuki Jimny? Thanks to the specialists at Twisted, you’re about to find out. 

With over 20 years’ experience ironing the well-documented kinks out of Land Rover’s original Defender, the North Yorkshire-based engineering firm has now turned its attention to Suzuki’s modern equivalent: the Jimny. But what does Vicki Butler-Henderson make of their handiwork?  

It’s safe to say she’s impressed — both on and off the beaten track. As you’d expect, adding over 60 bhp to the Jimny’s 1.5-litre engine has drastically improved the acceleration. And, rather than robbing the Jimny of its agricultural character, the new turbo actually adds to the drama. With all its chuffs and whistles from the wastegate, Vicki argues the Twisted sounds “like a living breathing animal”.  

She’s not as complimentary about the handling. Despite the chassis modifications, there’s a disconcerting lack of steering feel caused by the larger wheel setup. However, an antiroll bar and new shock absorbers do help to mitigate some of the standard car’s wobbly and wayward cornering behavior.

It all comes good again when Vicki heads off road. Given the standard Jimny’s already pretty handy when it comes to mud plugging, you can imagine what it’s like when you add knobbly tyres and a ground clearance that would embarrass some full-sized 4x4s. With its tenacious traction and impressive approach and departure angles, the DriverReviews host calls the Twisted “a mountain goat of a car”. 

But what’s it like to live with? Hit play for Vicki’s full review. 

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