Jimny Nomade and Sierra

What's the buzz about this booming cult classic?

Jimny Nomade & Sierra

If there’s one vehicle that’s captured the imagination of Irish adventurers over the past few years, it’s the compact, boxy, brilliantly capable Suzuki Jimny. And when you combine that go-anywhere spirit with a clever camper conversion, you get what enthusiasts have dubbed the “Jimny Nomade” – a micro-overlander that’s equal parts practical and utterly charming.

Quick answer: can you still get a Jimny in Ireland?

Let’s address the elephant in the room straight away. The Jimny isn’t a Suzuki model that you’ll find parked in any showroom. And here in Ireland, getting your hands on any new Jimny has become remarkably tricky. Supply is extremely limited, with most vehicles arriving through specialist importers or popping up occasionally as used stock.

So what happened? The short version is that CO₂ emissions regulations in Europe made the Jimny’s fleet-average figures problematic for manufacturers. Suzuki responded by reclassifying the vehicle as a commercial van in Ireland and the UK, which keeps it on the road but limits who can buy one and how it’s taxed. That’s why converted Jimny “Nomade” camper builds have become so popular – enthusiasts who love the platform are finding creative ways to enjoy it.

So? How can I get my hands on one we hear you shout at the screen? Enter The Jimny Co. Founded by Matthew Caffrey in 2025 as a passion project for Jimnys it is available exclusively at Gerry Caffrey motors in Terenure.

So what do we do? Simple answer, we get you in a Jimny. 

3 Door ✅, 5 Door ✅, 2 Seats ✅, 4 Seats ✅Commercial ✅Private ✅. (See that? Ticking ✅ ALL the boxes.)

How do we do it? We work with trusted partners in Japan to import the Jimny of your dreams. Want it all black? We got you. Apple Red? Done. Lime Green with Black roof? Not a problem. And when it comes to tyres, racks, ladders and more, we are your one stop shop. Basically you think Jimny, we live Jimny.

What is the Jimny Nomade?

The term “Jimny Nomade” describes a compact overlanding or micro-camper take on the current fourth-generation Jimny, which Suzuki launched globally in 2018 to rapturous applause from off-road enthusiasts. The concept draws inspiration from builds that have become popular in Japan, New Zealand, and across Europe – places where drivers have recognised that this tiny, tough vehicle makes an ideal base for adventure.

The idea is beautifully simple. You keep the Jimny’s diminutive footprint and its serious 4x4 hardware, then add a sleeping platform, clever storage solutions, a roof rack, and perhaps an awning. Suddenly you’ve got a vehicle that can disappear into Wicklow, wind through Connemara, or cruise the Wild Atlantic Way for a long weekend without needing campsite bookings or hotel reservations.

In Japan and India, Suzuki launched a five-door Jimny from 2023, and many enthusiasts view that longer-wheelbase version as the ideal base for a Nomade-style build thanks to its stretched dimensions and bigger rear doors. However, that five-door hasn’t arrived officially in Ireland. Most Irish Nomade projects will therefore be based on the three-door commercial van or imported passenger models – but that hasn’t stopped creative owners from making something truly special.

Picture this: a surf trip to Lahinch with your board strapped to the roof, or a misty weekend exploring forest tracks around Glendalough with nothing but a flask of coffee and a good book. That’s the Jimny Nomade dream, and it’s one that fits Ireland’s landscape like a glove.

Why the Jimny makes such a fun mini overlander

To understand why the Jimny inspires such devotion among adventure seekers, you need to look under the skin. This isn’t some softroader with a plastic body kit – it’s built on a proper ladder frame with rear axles connected via a 3-link rigid axle setup with coil springs. The part-time ALLGRIP PRO four-wheel-drive system includes a low range transfer gear that lets you crawl over obstacles that would leave lesser vehicles stranded. Power comes from a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing around 102 horsepower and 130 Nm of torque, which might sound modest but feels perfectly matched to the Jimny’s lightweight 1,135 kg body.

International reviews from outlets like 4x4 Australia and Top Gear have consistently praised what this hardware delivers in the real world. The approach angle sits around 37 degrees, the ramp breakover angle at 28 degrees, and the departure angle at an impressive 49 degrees. Ground clearance measures 210mm. Short overhangs, a tight turning circle of just 4.9 metres, and that featherweight construction mean the Jimny can scamper up muddy Irish forest tracks where heavier, more expensive SUVs might struggle and slip.

Compare that to the serious off roading machines – your Mercedes G-Class, your Land Cruiser – and the Jimny looks almost comically small. But that’s precisely the point. This isn’t a vehicle that demands you be serious. It’s playful, affordable to run, and genuinely fun in a way that few modern cars manage. For solo travellers or couples who don’t need a massive campervan, it’s perfect.

And there’s heritage backing up that capability. The first generation Jimny arrived in 1970, and Suzuki has sold over 2.8 million units worldwide through the second generation, third generation, and into the current model. That’s not a fad – it’s a proven platform with decades of mud, snow, and adventure behind it.

Jimny Sierra v Jimny Nomade

Whats the difference? The Sierra is the 3 Door Jimny that has the 4 seats (compact, snug, up close and personal seats, think short people in the back) and basically no boot to speak of when the rear seats are up or 2 seats, normally converted and used for people with dogs, lots of hiking, a bike etc or its a commercial vehicle for coffee shops, catering etc.

The Nomade, is bigger, has a longer wheel base and has 5 doors, more leg room for the rear seats and a boot when the back seats are up. Its heavier and gets a lot of double takes, trust us we have had people pull up alongside when we are driving one around asking where we got it. It is a head turner.

So how do you style these different versions out? Simple, you come to us. We add in that roof rack so you can get a tent box on top, throw on a ladder to the rear door for access, up date the grill, add in chunky wheels for off road use, upgrade to an apple/android car play system, you dreeam big, we do big.

Imagine the finished build: a compact, purposeful little adventure rig parked up overlooking Dingle Bay as the sun sets, awning out, kettle bubbling, the week’s stress melting into the Atlantic horizon. Yes its the Thursday in July that we had summer and you are in your Jimny living your best life watching the sun sink as you plan your next adventure. Life, the Jimny way. Our Motto: No Ordinary Ride.

Driving and living with a Jimny

If you’re expecting the Jimny to drive like a modern crossover, you’ll need to recalibrate your expectations – and that’s actually part of the charm. Reviews from Top Gear and international automotive press describe the on-road experience as charming but bouncy, with tall gearing that encourages relaxed 80-100 km/h cruising rather than high-speed motorway blasts. There’s wind noise at speed, and the steering wheel transmits more road feel than contemporary vehicles typically offer. The driver sits upright and commanding, surrounded by a delightfully simple black dashboard with big, glove-friendly controls that work perfectly when your hands are cold and muddy.

Living with a Jimny N in Ireland means embracing a certain pace of life. Picture a Friday evening: you’ve finished work in Dublin and pointed the Jimny west toward Wicklow Gap. The heater’s working, the headlights with their high and low beams cutting through autumn drizzle (aka Downpour), some decent tunes on the 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. An hour later you’re parked up at a quiet spot, folding the rear flat into your bed setup, boiling water for coffee by the tailgate. Saturday morning arrives with misty hills, a chorus of bleating sheep, and perhaps a curious ram tapping your bumper to investigate the new arrival.

Fuel economy from the 1.5-litre engine sits around 6.3-6.6 litres per 100km in real-world driving, which translates to roughly 600 kilometres from the 40-litre tank depending on how much off roading you’ve been doing. It’s petrol only with no hybrid option, so buyers particularly conscious of emissions and running cost might also consider Suzuki’s hybrid Swift or S-Cross for everyday duties while keeping the Jimny as a weekend adventure tool.

Modern Irish-spec Jimnys came equipped with Suzuki Safety Support features that add genuine peace of mind. The Dual Sensor Brake Support provides autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a visual warning system, while hill descent control proves invaluable on steep slopes when you’re picking your way down slippery surfaces on a wet Connemara track. Lane departure warning helps on longer drives, and traffic sign recognition keeps you informed. High beam assist manages headlights automatically on dark country roads. The brakes feel reassuringly strong for a vehicle this light, distributing braking force effectively even when loaded with camping gear. These aren’t features you’d expect on a rugged off-roader from previous generations, but they make the modern Jimny a safer, more relaxed vehicle to live with day to day.

Irish pricing, availability and alternatives

When the fourth-generation Jimny was officially offered in Ireland as a passenger car from 2019, list prices sat in the mid-€20,000s before emissions regulations forced its withdrawal from general sale. Later commercial versions occupied a similar ballpark depending on specification and VAT treatment, making them accessible to business buyers who could reclaim some costs.

The used market in Ireland and the UK in 2025-2026 tells a remarkable story about this vehicle’s desirability. Top Gear noted that used Jimnys often trade well above their original list price – a rare phenomenon in a segment where depreciation usually bites hard. Clean, low-mileage 2019-2021 examples regularly ask €30,000 +. It’s a vehicle that holds value because supply remains constrained while demand shows no sign of cooling. In fact we can't keep the Jimnys in stock when we get them, we have people looking to test drive but our stock has run low before it even rolls of the ship.

So No Jimny?

Actually no, it means you get to pick your Jimny. You come to us and we help guide you through the whole process, pick out the colour and Jimny that appeals to you and then take you for a test drive in one of our Jimnys so you can get a real world feel for this cult classic. After that we keep you up to date with the progress

If you’re in Dublin or South Dublin – Terenure, Rathfarnham, Templeogue and beyond – we genuinely encourage you to drop into our showroom for a chat. Whether you’re hunting for Jimny availability, exploring Suzuki models that might suit your lifestyle, discussing finance options, or looking at trade-in valuations for your current vehicle, we’re here to help in a no-pressure, helpful environment. That’s been our approach since day one.