You can buy these small 4x4s for €10,000

A compact 4×4? Then the Suzuki Jimny should of course not be missed! A modest all-rounder with a long history – from utility vehicle to freedom and joy! With the latter in mind, it is only a short step to the archaic Lada Niva. Once also developed as a workhorse, now enjoying almost cult status. We also like to put the Daihatsu, which has also disappeared here, in the spotlight with Jimny competitor Terios. What do you get if your budget allows 10 grand?

Suzuki Jimny Metal Top 1.3 Exclusive – 2007 – 150,017 kilometers – €8,999

We go all the way back to 1968 when the first generation Suzuki Jimny – then called LJ – saw the light of day: a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle that met the Japanese Kei-car requirements. So modest in size. That made it nice and manoeuvrable in rough terrain and a keeper was born. We are now up to generation four, but this Suzuki Jimny is still of the third generation. Considering age and mileage not cheap, and then we are not there yet, because (Bovag) warranty is at extra cost. Remarkable is its characterization as ‘Special Edition’. We do not encounter that version in our Carbase. Judging by the specifications, we stick to the top model Exclusive. That means, among other things, standard air conditioning, alloy wheels and factory audio. Roof rails and a towbar (braked towing capacity: 1,300 kilos) are also present on and on the 3.65-metre short four-seater. To save some luggage space, the spare wheel is firmly mounted on the back.

Such a Jimny may be small, but his deeds are big – at least in the terrain. Ladder chassis, rigid axles at the front and rear, selectable four-wheel drive with high and low gearing, light weight and flexible suspension… All things that are important off-road. This occasion does not disappoint: dune, mud or snow, fun mobile Jimny is fine with it. On the (fast) road it is a completely different story: not very comfortable, rather slow and noisy, although the short wheelbase in the city is another plus. The high center of gravity requires restrained cornering speeds. In short: you buy a (used) Jimny for what it was made for. Or as a nice toy for the side, because as a long-distance knight he is less suitable, but that also applies to the other two. The proof: the 73-XB-ZK only had one owner who averaged less than 9,400 kilometers per year.

Signaling

Brand Suzuki

Type Jimny Metal Top 1.3 Exclusive

Construction year April 2007

Mileage 150.017

Asking price €8,999

Where to buy? Garage Van Dijk, Heerhugowaard

Technical data

Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,328 cc

max. assets 63 kW/85 hp at 6,000 rpm

max. couple 110 Nm at 4,100 rpm

Luggage room 113 l/na

max. trailer braked 1,300 kilograms

Avg. consumption 1:13.7

0-100km/h 14.1s

Top speed 140km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Lada Niva 1.7i – 2010 – 56,870 kilometers – €9,950

Much of what has been said above about the Suzuki Jimny applies to a greater extent to the Lada Niva. A lot more robust – almost spartan – even better off-road capabilities and even less suitable as a mileage eater. You can see that in this Lada Niva: although only three years younger than the Japje, it has traveled a ton less. In other words, an annual mileage of less than 4,400 kilometers! To label this occasion as new is going a bit far, because they already rolled outdated – from 1977! – from the factory. In the meantime, the Niva has almost acquired cult status here and that keeps the asking prices high. Because for that ten grand you get an occasion without safety features: no ABS, airbags or whatever. But also no electric windows, no central locking, let alone air conditioning or navigation… Well, nothing really. Or at least: headlight washers are present, as well as a tachometer and power steering.

You should not drive faster than 80 km/h: everything bucks and makes noise. In addition, fuel consumption then increases sharply, while driving characteristics decrease proportionally. And yet, and yet… Thanks to its low and high gearing and limited slip differential, this tough Russian has something uncompromising on the one hand, and endearing on the other. Is it because of the green paint (in the photos it looks blue) in combination with the white painted wheels? Maybe. In addition, it is slightly larger than the Jimny, which mainly benefits the front passengers and the luggage compartment. Child of the bill are the rear passengers: in the back, the Russian is the tightest of our trio. In short: an emotional purchase, not a rational one. Love it or hate it. So far the latter, because although imported in November 2021, the N-203-LT is still waiting for its first Dutch boss. Who will take care of this steppe and tundra conqueror?

Signaling

Brand Lada

Type Niva 1.7i

Construction year July 2010

Mileage 56,870

Asking price €9,950

Where to buy? Auto De Jong, Cothen

Technical data

Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,690 cc

max. assets 60 kW/82 hp at 5,400 rpm

max. couple 133 Nm at 3,200 rpm

Luggage room 266 l/1,050 l

max. trailer braked 1,490 kilograms

Avg. consumption 1:10.5

0-100km/h 19 s

Top speed 137 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Daihatsu Terios 1.5-16V DVVT 4WD Track – 2011 – 177,945 kilometers – €9,995

As cheaper Japanese brands, Suzuki and Daihatsu were often in each other’s way. It was no different in the 4×4 area, because with models such as the Taft (since 1974), Feroza and the great Rocky, Daihatsu blew a big tune for decades. The final chord was blown by the compact Terios. Indeed ‘compact’, but not like the other two: it breaks through the four-meter limit and has five doors.

In our used car database we found this Daihatsu Terios: the youngest of the three, and with its mileage the most experienced. The funny thing is that we always found the Jimny a bit more masculine and the Terios a bit more feminine, but you can feel free to think otherwise. Be that as it may: the N-360-JJ (since 2021 in our country, since then had two owners) takes good care of its occupants. The Terios beats its opponents with ease.

It also offers the most space in the back and the power source is the most potent with 105 hp/140 Nm. But don’t make the mistake of labeling this occasion as a mileage eater, because it isn’t either. A high center of gravity, a lot of engine noise (at 130 km / h – ie 4,100 rpm, even the Niva is well below that) and little supporting furniture are to blame. And in the field? With a button you can conveniently switch the four-wheel drive on or off (the Lada has two pokers) and then forest and heath are no longer Terios-free! Also useful is the short first gear, but we still think that the Terios on unpaved in Jimny and Niva has to acknowledge its superiors. All this makes the Terios less pronounced on the one hand, but more versatile on the other.

Signaling

Brand Daihatsu

Type Terios 1.5-16V DVVT 4WD Track

Construction year June 2011

Mileage 177,945

Asking price €9,995

Where to buy? SK Cars, Emmen

Technical data

engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,495 cc

max. assets 77 kW/105 hp at 6,000 rpm

max. couple 140 Nm at 4,400 rpm

Luggage room 380 l/1,300 l

max. trailer braked 1,350 kilograms

Avg. consumption 1:13.5

0-100km/h 12.4s

Top speed 160km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which of these compact 4x4s is right for you?

In summary: the Lada Niva is so archaic that it has achieved cult status. That appeals to you or you don’t like it. There seems to be no middle ground. Or that middle road should be called ‘Suzuki Jimny’: almost as unyielding on unpaved, but a lot more modern. That is Daihatsu’s Terios is even more (safety, equipment) and it offers the most interior space plus the most powerful engine. Nevertheless, it will not go as far in rough terrain. In any case, none of the three are asphalt tigers. So what would your choice be?