🇺🇸 Suzuki Jimny in the American Market
The newest generation of the Suzuki Jimny is NOT officially sold in the United States (U.S.) by Suzuki.
Suzuki stopped selling all passenger cars in the U.S. market back in 2012 due to weak sales and other market factors.
1. Why Can't Americans Buy a New Jimny?
The primary reason the new Jimny is not sold in the U.S. is due to strict Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and emissions regulations.
* Safety Standards: The compact size and structure of the Jimny do not meet all of the stringent U.S. crash safety and emissions requirements without significant, costly modifications.
* The 25-Year Rule: U.S. import laws state that any vehicle less than 25 years old must fully comply with all modern U.S. safety and emissions standards to be street-legal. Since the current-generation Jimny is new, it cannot be legally imported for daily use.
2. How to Buy a Jimny in the U.S. (The 25-Year Rule)
Americans can only legally buy and register a Jimny if it is at least 25 years old (imported from countries like Japan).
* These older models (pre-2000s, often called the Jimny/Samurai generations) are exempt from modern U.S. safety and emissions standards.
* These imported vehicles are popular with off-road enthusiasts and classic car collectors.
3. Estimated Prices in the U.S. Market
Since the new Jimny is not sold through official dealerships, prices vary significantly and are mostly for older, used, or classic imported models:
| Jimny Model | Average U.S. Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Older Jimny (1980s - 1990s) | $9,000 - $16,000 USD | Prices depend on the condition, mileage, and whether it's a "classic" import (must be 25+ years old). |
| Newer Jimny (Unofficial Imports) | $20,000+ USD | Newer models can sometimes be found, but they are often imported illegally or through loopholes (e.g., as "parts" or non-road-use vehicles) and are often not street-legal. |
| Hypothetical New Jimny Price | Around $14,500 USD | If the Jimny were officially sold in the U.S. (like it is in other markets), experts estimate the starting price would be around this amount—but the actual price would likely be much higher after U.S. modifications. |
Would you like to know more about the Jimny's close relative that was sold in the U.S., the Suzuki Samurai?
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