Suzuki may have had a change of heart (again) regarding the electrification of its quintessential, no-nonsense off-roader—the Jimny mini SUV.
You may recall that in 2023, at the presentation of its product roadmap for Europe until 2030, Suzuki teased the launch of an electric off-roader that had the unmistakable boxy silhouette of a Jimny. At the time, the automaker projected a battery electric lineup consisting of five models, including the Jimny (see presentation slide below).
Suzuki
But then in late 2024, when Suzuki unveiled its first-ever production EV, the e-Vitara SUV, company president Toshihiro Suzuki said the Jimny would never be electric as the weight of the battery pack and electric motors would “ruin” one of the model’s signature qualities, namely lightness.
Suzuki also said the Jimny must remain “true to itself,” something that would not be possible with an all-electric powertrain. Interestingly, Suzuki at the time ruled out any other form of electrification for the Jimny, including mild-hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
Is This the Jimny EV Testing or a Facelifted Variant? Or None?
Fast forward to 2026 and Suzuki appears to be doing a 180 again on the issue of the electric Jimny. A photo of a Jimny prototype undergoing testing in snowy conditions has surfaced online, and it may suggest Suzuki has started work on an all-electric Jimny. Mind you, there’s a big question mark here, and that regards the authenticity of the photo.
Assuming the photo is real, why is this test vehicle fully camouflaged? It could be because it hides a facelift or because it’s a new variant, likely an all-electric one—just look at the closed-off front grille, which is one of the most common identifying marks of a battery electric model.
CarSauce was among the first outlets to report on the spotting, and as it points out, the Jimny prototype appears to retain the ICE version’s solid front axle, suggesting the battery-powered Jimny could have the same hardcore off-road character as the gas-powered model.
Obviously, that would be great news, as the Jimny should remain equally capable off the beaten track regardless of the powertrain it packs. Now, as you’ve probably noticed already, the prototype has a four-door body, which is only produced in India by Maruti Suzuki; it’s also right-hand drive.
Jimny EV Would Allow the Iconic Nameplate to Return to Europe
Jacob Oliva/Autoblog
Does this mean the Jimny EV will be an India-only model? Not necessarily, because the current Jimny four-door, often referred to as the Jimny XL, is also exported from India to various regions, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and Japan.
More importantly, an electric Jimny would allow a return to Europe for the iconic nameplate, which was phased out from the region in mid-2025 after the remaining stock of Jimny two-seater commercial vehicles ran out.
Back to the electric Jimny prototype, Suzuki hasn’t even confirmed the model let alone announce any powertrain details, but we have to assume that if it’s indeed happening, a dual-motor AWD system should be a given.
Jacob Oliva/Autoblog
Suzuki offers a dual-motor AWD powertrain in the e-Vitara, but it’s unclear whether that one can be adapted to work in the Jimny EV, which must retain its rugged off-road capability, including low-speed control (i.e. low range gearing), wheel articulation and solid underbody protection.
The cool thing about a Jimny EV would be that it would likely have more torque than the current gas-powered model, which would be great news for off-road driving since EVs deliver maximum torque instantly. The gas-powered Jimny only offers 96 pound-feet of torque from its naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Styling-wise, the only difference between the alleged Jimny EV prototype and the gas model besides the closed-off grille is the presence of horizontal LED DRLs, which hint at a revamped front end. We hope Suzuki won’t do anything too radical, though, as a Jimny must always remain instantly recognizable as a Jimny, electric or not.
