And if you’ve ever driven a Jimny through a snowdrift or bounced a Vitara down a muddy green lane, you’ll know why this milestone matters. Few carmakers have built such a reputation for affordable, unstoppable 4x4s, and fewer still have managed to keep things so refreshingly simple in a world of overcomplicated SUVs.
This article takes you on a journey from Suzuki’s earliest LJ models right up to today’s ALLGRIP-equipped cars. We’ll dive into the history, the technology, the UK prices, and what makes Suzuki’s approach to four-wheel-drive so unique.
The Beginning: Suzuki LJ10 and LJ80
Suzuki’s 4x4 story kicked off in 1970 with the Suzuki LJ10, a dinky 360cc two-stroke with three cylinders, leaf springs all round, and the looks of a toy car. It weighed less than 600kg – lighter than most motorbikes today – but thanks to a ladder chassis and a proper part-time four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case, it could scamper over mud, rocks, and snow like nothing else. Farmers loved it, forest rangers adored it, and it quickly became a cult machine in Japan.
By 1979, the UK got its first taste of Suzuki 4x4s with the LJ80. This version boasted a mighty 797cc four-cylinder engine, producing 41bhp. It wasn’t quick, but it didn’t need to be. Its appeal was simple: short overhangs, featherweight build, and a transfer lever that let you shift from two-wheel to four-wheel drive when the going got rough. Price? Just over £3,000 at launch, making it one of the most affordable 4x4s ever sold in Britain.
The Suzuki SJ – Small, Square and Brilliant
The 1980s brought the Suzuki SJ410 and SJ413. If you remember growing up in this decade, chances are you saw one bouncing across a farm track or parked outside a surf shop. It looked like a fridge on wheels, had a basic interior you could hose out, and rode on leaf springs that made speed bumps feel like small mountains.
But the SJ was loved for one reason: it was capable. With selectable part-time four-wheel-drive, a proper low-range gearbox, and a kerb weight of barely 900kg, it could get through terrain that would bog down much pricier off-roaders.
Prices started from around £4,500 new in the UK, and that affordability made it hugely popular with farmers, students, off-road enthusiasts, and anyone who wanted the fun of a Land Rover without the bills.
Vitara Arrives – Civilised but Still Tough
In 1988, Suzuki revealed the Vitara, a softer-looking SUV that still had serious off-road chops. This was the first Suzuki 4x4 to attract city dwellers as well as country folk. Available as a three-door ragtop with two-tone paint, it was fun, funky, and incredibly capable.
The Vitara featured coil springs instead of leafs, a choice of petrol and diesel engines, and selectable low-range four-wheel drive. UK pricing started around £8,995, making it half the cost of a Land Rover Discovery at the time. It quickly became a favourite with young families, first-time SUV buyers, and those who wanted something both practical and adventurous.
The Grand Vitara – Bigger, Stronger, Still Suzuki
By 1998, Suzuki introduced the Grand Vitara. This was the moment the brand aimed higher – literally. The Grand Vitara was larger, more refined, and came with bigger engines, including a 2.5-litre V6. Importantly, it still retained a ladder chassis and a proper low-range transfer box, meaning it never lost sight of its off-road roots.
Prices ranged from £15,000 to £20,000 in the UK depending on spec, which put it in direct competition with Toyota’s RAV4 and Land Rover’s Freelander. It quickly won fans among vets, dog walkers, and anyone needing a rugged family 4x4 without the price tag of bigger brands.
The Jimny – Small but Legendary
The true cult hero of Suzuki’s 4x4 family is, of course, the Jimny. Launched in 1998, it became an instant hit thanks to its cartoonish looks, unburstable reliability, and hardcore 4x4 setup. With solid axles front and rear, a ladder frame, and a proper low-range lever, the Jimny was like a pint-sized Land Rover Defender – but one you could actually afford.
The current Jimny, launched in 2018, was an instant sell-out. Priced from £15,499, demand was so high that used examples quickly sold for thousands over list. Emissions regulations mean the Jimny is now sold only as a commercial in the UK, priced at £21,149, but its cult following hasn’t diminished one bit.
ALLGRIP: Suzuki’s Modern 4x4 Identity
By 2013, Suzuki realised that simply describing their four-wheel-drive systems as “part-time 4WD” didn’t sound snappy in a brochure. So they rebranded their traction technology under the umbrella name ALLGRIP. But ALLGRIP isn’t just one system – it’s three, designed to cover different needs.
ALLGRIP Auto
Used in smaller models like the Suzuki Ignis, ALLGRIP Auto is designed for convenience and safety. It drives the front wheels most of the time, but when it senses slippage, it automatically diverts torque to the rear. Perfect for UK winters, wet campsites, or unexpected ice patches.
ALLGRIP Select
Found in the Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross, ALLGRIP Select gives the driver more control. With four modes – Auto, Sport, Snow, and Lock – it adapts to everything from slick tarmac to rutted tracks. The electronically controlled clutch shifts torque quickly and smoothly, making these crossovers surprisingly capable when the tarmac ends.
ALLGRIP Pro
The hardcore system reserved for the Jimny. This is old-school 4x4 done right: a transfer case with high and low gears, selectable four-wheel-drive, and none of the fluff. If you get stuck, it’s your fault.
Current Suzuki ALLGRIP Models and UK Prices
As of 2025, Suzuki UK offers ALLGRIP across multiple models:
The Ignis SZ5 with AllGrip: priced just under £20,000 you will have hunt around for one now, as all new dealer stock has been snapped up.
Vitara MHEV with AllGrip: from £30,799.00
S-Cross MHEV with AllGrip: from £28,299.00
Jimny Commercial AllGrip Pro: priced around the £32,000 mark – if you can get one, that is!
This makes Suzuki one of the most affordable brands offering genuine four-wheel-drive capability in the UK. Rivals may shout about “mountain modes” and “snow terrain selectors,” but few can match Suzuki’s blend of price, simplicity, and effectiveness.
Why Suzuki ALLGRIP Works
So what makes Suzuki ALLGRIP stand out after 55 years? It comes down to three things:
Lightweight engineering – less weight means more agility, less chance of sinking in mud, and better efficiency.
Simplicity – no over-complicated electronics, no “off-road expert” required. You just drive.
Affordability – Suzuki 4x4s have always been within reach of ordinary buyers, unlike many premium SUVs that cost the earth.
This honesty is why Suzuki has remained a firm favourite among farmers, adventurers, and families alike. They’re not lifestyle posers – they’re real tools for real life.
The Future of ALLGRIP
As emissions regulations tighten, Suzuki has leaned on mild-hybrids and Toyota-sourced hybrids like the Suzuki Across (a rebadged RAV4 PHEV). While these models use electric motors for all-wheel-drive rather than ALLGRIP branding, they still carry the same ethos of practical, usable traction.
But the heart of Suzuki ALLGRIP remains the Vitara, S-Cross, Ignis, and Jimny. These models continue to deliver what Suzuki has always promised: go-anywhere usability at prices ordinary drivers can afford.
Conclusion: 55 Years of Small but Mighty
Suzuki ALLGRIP has been around for 55 years, but it feels more relevant today than ever. In a world where SUVs are bloated, expensive, and stuffed with pointless tech, Suzuki’s light, clever, and affordable 4x4s are a breath of fresh air.
From the LJ10 Tonka toy to the cult Jimny, from the funky Vitara ragtop to today’s ALLGRIP-equipped crossovers, Suzuki has proved time and again that you don’t need to be big to be bold.
Here’s to the next 55 years – and fingers crossed for that five-door Jimny with a 1.4 BoosterJet and six-speed auto we’ve all been dreaming of.
@SuzukiCarsUK @SuzukiGlobal_official #suzuki#allgrip#jimny#vitara#suzukicelebration#4x4
NGMW