55 Years of Suzuki ALLGRIP

Off-Roading the Jimny & V6 Vitara at Monster Mountain

Some days you just get handed a gift. An off-road playground. A couple of rugged Suzukis. And 55 years of 4WD history to dig into – literally.

That’s exactly what happened when Suzuki invited me to Monster Mountain, just outside Cardiff, to celebrate 55 years of Suzuki ALLGRIP four-wheel drive technology. This rough-and-ready quarry facility – now a motocross training ground for Suzuki ambassador and MX champion Geoff Walker – was the perfect terrain to unleash a couple of their finest go-anywhere heroes: the legendary Suzuki Jimny and a classic 2005 Grand Vitara V6.

The ALLGRIP Legacy

Suzuki’s 4×4 journey began in 1970 with the tiny but mighty LJ10, Japan’s first mass-produced mini off-roader. Since then, Suzuki has refined and evolved its 4WD systems – now branded as ALLGRIP – to deliver everything from hardcore off-roading to subtle all-weather grip, across a range of vehicles from the Ignis to the e-Vitara.

ALLGRIP now comes in four flavours:

• Auto – automatic torque shift for everyday traction
• Select – driver-selectable modes for changing conditions
• Pro – low-range, part-time 4WD for proper terrain-tackling
• ALLGRIP-e – a new electric AWD system debuting in the upcoming e-Vitara

Jimny – The Mountain Goat Lives On

Despite no longer being sold new in the UK, Suzuki’s little legend still pulls the crowd. And for good reason. With its ladder frame, short overhangs, and live axles, the Jimny is an off-road icon. This commercial variant – the last one in Suzuki UK’s fleet – still had the magic. I took it over rough tracks, steep slopes, and muddy puddles… and it didn’t even flinch.

Sure, it’s a bit cramped for someone with my long legs, and it’s not exactly built for the motorway – but in a quarry? It’s in its natural habitat. Compact, nimble, and confidence-inspiring. It’s like a remote-control toy car… but with real grit.

Grand Vitara V6 – The Forgotten Hero

After the Jimny, I jumped into a 2005 Grand Vitara V6 – bought by Suzuki for just £3.5k! It still runs strong, with working AC, leather seats, and that glorious V6 soundtrack. The difference in feel compared to the Jimny is stark – more body roll, more noise, more weight – but also loads of charm. It’s a reminder of the era when mid-size SUVs didn’t try to be luxury limos. They were honest, usable, and rugged.

And off-road? With the power on tap and low-range torque, this thing still held its own. Not bad for a two-decade-old SUV with a few creaks and rattles.

So, What Did I Learn?

Firstly, Suzuki’s 4×4 legacy is genuinely impressive. From the LJ10 to the Jimny, Vitara, and now electrified ALLGRIP-e systems – they’ve stayed true to their lightweight, go-anywhere DNA.

Secondly, fun doesn’t have to be expensive. The most smiles-per-mile today came from a mud-covered Jimny and a £3.5k Vitara.

And lastly – Suzuki, if you’re listening – bring the Jimny 5-door hybrid to the UK. We’re ready. Desperate, even.

---

---

If you found this useful, interesting or fun, consider supporting me via Patreon, Ko-Fi, or even grabbing a copy of one of my books on Amazon. Every bit helps me keep creating independent automotive content that actually helps people.

BrownCarGuy Books!

---

Support independent car journalism 🙏🏽☺️ grab my books on Amazon, take up membership to BrownCarGuy on YouTube, or join me on Ko-Fi or Patreon.

👉🏽 Channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/browncarguy/join
👉🏽 Buy me a Coffee! https://ko-fi.com/browncarguy
👉🏽 Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/BrownCarGuy

MY BOOKS ON AMAZON!
📖 Want to become an automotive journalist, content creator, or car influencer? Check out my book: How to be an Automotive Content Creator 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/7VTs0ii
📖 Quantum Races – A collection of my best automotive sci-fi short stories! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/0Y93s9g