Why the Jimny? Can it really do the CSR?

Can it Really Do the Canning Stock Route?

When you tell people you’re taking a Suzuki Jimny across the Canning Stock Route, you usually get one of two responses:

“Mate, that’s insane.” — Most of the time (more than I can count) —
“Mate, that’s awesome.” — Sometimes (twice) —

They’re both right.

Let’s Start With the Obvious: The Price

We all love the idea of rolling through the desert in a fully loaded 79 Series or Troopy. But at twice the price (or more) of a Jimny — before you even start modifying — it’s just not in the cards for everyone.

The Jimny offered us something rare:

A brand-new, low-maintenance 4WD
With low range and solid axles
That we could actually afford

And when you’re also budgeting for a kid, food, gear, fuel, and time off work... choosing the Jimny made the trip possible.

It’s Light. Maybe Too Light.

With a payload of just 340kg, the Jimny asks you to think. Carefully. About. Every. Kilo.

But that challenge has a silver lining — we pack smarter, travel lighter, and don’t bring junk we don’t need. That’s how we ended up testing a lightweight trailer, fine-tuning our gear, and learning a lot about weight distribution along the way.

But Can It Handle the CSR?

So far, we’ve tested our setup over:

Off-road tracks in the Blue Mountains
4,700 km across South Australia, That included 2,500 km off-road and nearly 900 km of corrugations.

What did we end up with? One loose number plate screw, two broken cable ties and a whole lot of new dreams.

Our worst-case fuel use was 15L/100km on steep terrain while fully loaded with the trailer — so for the CSR, we’re planning for 20L/100km. And yes, we’re carrying all our extra fuel in jerry cans. No long-range tank here.

With careful prep, extra jerries, daily checks, and a slow pace, we’re confident the Jimny can do it.

Also, there is a 10 year-old onboard.

This trip isn’t about pushing limits. It’s about showing our son what remote Australia feels like, and how a little rig, a lot of prep, and a sense of adventure can get you almost anywhere.

Will the Jimny be comfortable? Not exactly. Will it be fun? Definitely.

Our View:

The Jimny isn’t the best tool for the job — but it’s the one that got us out there —

And if it takes us a little longer, burns a little more fuel, and makes us laugh a little harder along the way… that’s the whole point.

Jimny owner’s field guide to the 4WD species

If you drive a Suzuki Jimny long enough, you’ll start to recognise the other creatures that roam Australia’s tracks.

This guide is here to help you identify, understand, and — occasionally — avoid them.

Disclaimer:

These descriptions are all in good fun and written with a smile. We poke at other 4WDs the same way we poke fun at our own little Jimny — with love, not malice. If your favourite brand got roasted, take it as a badge of honour. After all, life’s too short to take 4WD banter seriously.

The LandCruiser

Scientific name: Landcruiserus Maximus
Distinguishing features: Towering stance, multiple aerials, roof rack the size of a tennis court.
Call: “Shoulda bought a Cruiser!”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Thinks we’re adorable. Sometimes offers to tow us, even when we’re not stuck.

The Patrol

Scientific name: Patrolus Boostus
Distinguishing features: Turbo whistle audible from three dunes away, bonnet scoop big enough to roast a chook in.
Call: “Send it!”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Thinks we’ll get bogged on a speed bump. Is genuinely confused when we float up a dune they had to air down for.

The Ranger

Scientific name: Tradieus Dualcabicus
Distinguishing features: Sports bar, 39-inch tyres, enough LED light bars to signal the ISS.
Call: “Yeah nah, she’ll tow 3.5.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Wonders if our engine is just a sewing machine with a snorkel.

The Pajero

Scientific name: Pajerus Familywagonus
Distinguishing features: Bullbar with no scratch marks, a fridge full of soft drinks.
Call: “The kids love camping!”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Often doesn’t notice us in the mirrors until we wave.

The Jeep Wrangler

Scientific name: Jeepus Mallcrawlerus
Distinguishing features: No doors, roof off, driver wearing aviators even in a cyclone.
Call: “It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Equal parts respect and disbelief. Thinks we’re either brave or mad. Possibly both.

The (real) Defender

Scientific name: Defenderus Oilleakus
Distinguishing features: Spare parts strapped everywhere, driver wearing an Akubra older than you.
Call: “Back in my day…”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Thinks we’re just a Defender that got shrunk in the wash. Occasionally mutters something about “real leaf springs” under their breath.

The Ineos Grenadier

Scientific name: Grenadius Rebooticus
Distinguishing features: Looks like a Defender and a G-Wagen had a very expensive baby. Dashboard has more switches than a small aircraft.
Call: “It’s built for adventure… once I’ve finished paying it off.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Thinks we’re cute but slightly underqualified. Secretly jealous we can fit down tracks without trimming the bushes (or removing side mirrors).

Other Jimny owners

Scientific name: Jimnius Culticus
Distinguishing features: Huge grin, tiny fuel tank, and a camera roll full of “perspective shots” to make the car look big.
Call: “How many litres per 100 for you?”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Instant mates. We wave like lunatics at each other on the highway.

The Toyota Troopy

Scientific name: Troopus Overlanderus
Distinguishing features: Enough roof rack space to land a helicopter, 180 litres of diesel under the floor, and a kitchen that puts most flats to shame.
Call: “We could live out here for months.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Sees us as the camp mascot. Offers us leftover water… from their secondary 70L tank.
Special note: If it’s an ASPW Troopy, expect a detailed 45-minute YouTube episode on why the drawer system hinges that way.

The Toyota Hilux

Scientific name: Hiluxus Indestructibilis
Distinguishing features: A tray full of mysterious tools, a dent in every panel, and suspension that’s seen more corrugations than Google Earth.
Call: “Mate, it’s just a scratch.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Thinks we’re cute, like a remote-control car… until we squeeze through a gap they can’t fit.
Special note: If they say “unbreakable,” they’re probably about to prove it in the most spectacular way possible.

The new Defender

Scientific name: Defenderus Glampicus
Distinguishing features: Satin paint, 20-inch rims, and more driver-assist tech than NASA’s mission control.
Call: “Alexa, engage low range.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Wonders why we don’t have air-conditioned massage seats.

The Unimog

Scientific name: Unimogus Apocalypsus
Distinguishing features: Stands taller than your shed, snorkel at second-storey height, winch cable thick enough to tow a ferry.
Call: A deep rumble that makes kangaroos scatter.
Attitude toward Jimnys: Wonders if we’re a spare wheel or part of the recovery kit.

Mercedes G-Wagon

Scientific name: G-Wagonus OverPricius
Distinguishing features: Chrome everything, tyres that have never seen mud, and a V8 soundtrack smoother than its owner’s skincare routine. Squared-off body last updated sometime around the dinosaur era — by choice.
Call: “Sorry I’m late, traffic near the café was insane.”
Attitude toward Jimnys: Thinks we’re adorable… like a tiny emotional support 4x4. Slightly confused that we don’t come with heated armrests.
Special note: Built to cross warzones, mostly used to cross school zones. Capable of climbing mountains, usually climbs valet ramps.

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