SUZUKI 4X4 MODELS - LAUNCH HISTORY TIMELINE FROM 1970
- 1970 – LJ10
- 1972 – LJ20
- 1974 – LJ50
- 1976 – LJ80
- 1981 – SJ410
- 1984 – SJ413
- 1988 – Cultus / Swift GTI AWD – Japan
- 1988 – First generation Vitara
- 1995 – X-90
- 1998 – Jimny
- 1998 – Grand Vitara
- 2004 – First Generation Ignis
- 2005 – Second Generation Grand Vitara
- 2006 – SX4
- 2012 – Kizashi
- 2013 – Swift – ALLGRIP ‘Auto’
- 2013 – SX4 S-Cross – ALLGRIP ‘Select’
- 2015 – Third Generation Vitara – ALLGRIP ‘Select’
- 2017 – Ignis – ALLGRIP ‘Auto’
- 2017 – Swift – ALLGRIP ‘Auto’
- 2018 – Jimny – ALLGRIP ‘Pro’
- 2021 – S-Cross – ALLGRIP ‘Select’
- 2024 – Swift – ALLGRIP ‘Auto’
- 2025 – e Vitara – ALLGRIP-
Suzuki Motor Corporation is globally renowned for its 4x4 technology across many models and spans 55 years since the introduction of the LJ10 in 1970. This well-proven expertise has evolved over five decades and is more recently known as ALLGRIP. This was created by evolving the company’s vast 4WD knowledge to provide driving enjoyment and peace of mind in diverse conditions while promoting fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions thanks to Suzuki’s lightweight platform design.
It is also an ideal choice for customers living in rural areas who may need additional mobility across rougher terrain or for crossing slippery surfaces during winter months.
FIRST GENERATION (1970 – 1981)
Looking at the first Suzuki 4x4, the original concept of the Jimny series was to develop a 4WD mini car that could drive on rough roads and go to places that cars couldn’t go in the past. With this philosophy, the first of the series, LJ10, was born in 1970. Being the one-and-only authentic off-roader in the Japanese mini-car segment, it created a sensation in the four-wheel drive market which at the time consisted of only large and high-displacement vehicles.
Development of the LJ10, Suzuki’s first four-wheel drive lightweight vehicle started in 1968 and became available in the market in March 1970 as the first mass-produced four-wheel drive in Japan’s domestic mini-car category.
With the growing customer base, LJ evolved to meet various market demands. Based on strong demand from snowy regions, the LJ20, which debuted two years later in 1972, was equipped with a water-cooled engine and enhanced heater performance.
Following the success of LJ10 and LJ20 in Japan, in 1974, the LJ50, with a 550cc three-cylinder, water-cooled two stroke engine and stronger power was introduced and soon gained a reputation as a fun and go anywhere vehicle.
What was originally a utility vehicle gradually moved upmarket, and exports steadily grew. The last LJ model was designated as LJ80 and made its debut in 1977. The LJ80 utilised Suzuki’s first four-stroke engine and the LJ series were sold in a total of 109 countries with accumulated global sales of the first-generation model reaching 243,000 units.
SECOND GENERATION (1981 - 1998)
In 1981, Jimny went through the first full model change after 11 years, since the launch of the LJ10. With four-wheel drive vehicles gaining popularity in Europe and North America, demand for the LJ grew in line, and the second generation, SJ410, was strategically developed to challenge the global market.
With its sharp design, the SJ410 evolved the former Jimny’s practical image to a stylish off-roader suited for both urban and off-road settings. In 1984, SJ413 was launched with the ambition to take on the global market. It carried a 1.3 litre engine and was the largest engine displacement of a Suzuki at the time. Accumulated sales of the second generation Jimny series totalled 1.693 million units.
THIRD GENERATION (1998 - 2018)
In 1998, the third generation Jimny made its debut. While upholding its off-road character it introduced a higher level of comfort and offered greater stability and manoeuvrability on-road. Its exterior was redesigned, having a solid, round shape that accentuates its smooth aerodynamic body, but still retaining its familiar elements in the vertical front grille openings.
The new part-time 4WD system allowed switching between 2WD and 4WD while driving, enabling easy responses to changing road conditions. Satisfying various demands from fashionable city-usage to professional-use in the wilderness, the third generation Jimny was highly acclaimed worldwide even 20 years after its launch.
Accumulated sales of this model passed 918,000 units.
FOURTH GENERATION (2018 -) ALLGRIP ‘PRO’*
In 2018, the Jimny evolved once again. Fully embodying the spirit of its much-loved predecessors and the core concept of being the “one-and-only, small, lightweight 4WD vehicle”, the Jimny made its debut with even more functionality and practicality on both its appearance and performance.
Developed to be a “tool for professionals”, it was committed to the Jimny’s authenticity, and inherited the robust ladder frame, part-time 4WD and 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil springs, all key essentials for serious off-roading. The Jimny model series has achieved over 3,000,000 accumulated sales throughout the world and has been sold in 194 countries and regions for 55 years.
X-90 – SUZUKI’S TWO DOOR, TWO SEAT SUV WITH 4X4 CAPABILITY
The X-90 model was first shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1993 with production running between 1995-1997. X-90 was Suzuki’s unique two door, two-seater SUV and was derived from the Vitara model of that period. It was powered by a 1.6-litre engine producing 92bhp, had a length of 3,700mm and weighed just 1,100kg.
FIRST GENERATION VITARA: HISTORY TIMELINE SINCE 1988.
The Vitara debuted in 1988 in its first-generation guise as a visionary pioneer of a compact SUV with authentic design. The Vitara series has since continued to meet contemporary needs through more than 37 years of evolution.
Suzuki had a vision of a four-wheel-drive vehicle that could negotiate forests trails, mud, and rocks and thereby take people to places they had never been able to reach on four wheels. Twenty years after the first LJ model, Suzuki took another dramatic step by creating an entirely new kind of off-road-capable vehicle—one that was totally unlike the heavy-duty cross-country vehicles and passenger-car-style mid-size sport utility vehicles of the time. That new vehicle was the first-generation Vitara.
The first-generation Vitara sold approximately 1.1 million units over 10 and a half years.
SECOND GENERATION (INTRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL GRAND VITARA)
In 1998, Suzuki launched the first Grand Vitara. This new model represented a response to significantly increased demands for safety and environmental performance, and it had a bigger, grander design befitting a new generation 4x4 vehicle.
The Grand Vitara’s exterior design combined refinement with a dynamic-looking form exuding the strength and energy of a genuine cross-country 4x4 vehicle. The front end incorporated a distinctive, chunky grille and large-reflector headlamps.
THIRD GENERATION (INTRODUCTION OF SECOND SERIES GRAND VITARA)
The Grand Vitara second series made its market debut in 2005, carrying forward the unique identity of the Vitara series and showing advances that heightened awareness of Suzuki’s SUV excellence.
The Grand Vitara embodies a fusion of three key attributes: tough off-road performance; stable on-road performance; and refined ride quality. A built-in-ladder-frame structure consisting of a sturdy ladder frame welded to a deformation-resisting monocoque body enables operation in diverse conditions.
The Grand Vitara remained a strong seller around the world with aggregate sales of the two generations reaching more than 1.8 million units.
FOURTH GENERATION VITARA (CURRENT MODEL)
In April 2015 - more than 25 years after the first-generation Vitara’s debut—Suzuki returned to the Vitara name with a brand-new model.
The current Vitara responds to hugely increased demands in terms of technology, economy, and environmental performance, and satisfies a wider range of customer tastes. And while representing an ideal match for a transformed market environment, it embodies the kind of authentic SUV design and all-terrain performance that befit a member of the Vitara series.
Suzuki’s 4WD technologies have evolved together with the Vitara series. Vitara incorporates the optional ALLGRIP ‘select’ system that debuted in the SX4 S-Cross in 2013.
Since 1988, aggregate sales of the Vitara series in 190 countries and territories around the world have reached more than 3.6 million units.
e VITARA – SUZUKI’S FULLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH ALLGRIP-e
Launched in the second half of 2025, the e Vitara features a design that combines a sense of advanced technology and strength, a BEV powertrain that delivers a nimble and sharp driving experience, a new and optional electric 4WD system (ALLGRIP-e) that provides not only off-road capability but also powerful performance, plus a newly developed HEARTECT-e platform designed specifically for BEVs.
ALLGRIP-e is an electric 4WD system that utilises Suzuki’s expertise in four- wheel drive technology, featuring two independent motors at the front and rear. This system not only provides powerful performance but also allows for precise control with excellent responsiveness.
Further information will be provided at the UK media launch in Autumn 2025.
SX4: A SPORT X-OVER FOR ALL SEASONS, ALL OCCASIONS
Launched in early 2006, Suzuki’s SX4 was a distinctive 5-door hatchback that blended the characteristics of sporty compacts exemplified by the Swift, with those of lightweight SUVs such as the Grand Vitara, to create an exciting small car alternative.
Following Swift and Grand Vitara, the SX4 represented Suzuki’s third global strategic model. It also formed the basis for its World Rally Championship challenger.
KIZASHI
In early 2012, Suzuki GB announced the UK introduction of the Kizashi Sport ‘D’ segment car with switchable 2/4WD as standard equipment. Kizashi was built in the Sagara plant in Japan and had enjoyed success in the domestic market as well as North America, Australia, India, and numerous European markets.
Kizashi for the UK market was fitted as standard with Suzuki’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system (i-AWD) which was a rare option in the ‘D’ segment as this performance feature was more often found among luxury cars and engineered to provide outstanding traction in inclement weather.
S-CROSS – SUZUKI’S NEXT GENERATION CROSSOVER WITH OPTIONAL ALLGRIP ‘SELECT’
The S-Cross went on sale in October 2013, just six months after the all-new model was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and its key features spoke a clear language: Suzuki once again leads as a true expert in the field of crossover and four-wheel drive cars.
S-Cross is one of Suzuki’s world strategic models and makes strong statements in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling as well as offering low fuel consumption and low emissions.
SWIFT – ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ LAUNCHED IN 2013.
Following sales success in Japan as well as several European Countries including Germany and Switzerland, Suzuki took the positive decision in mid-2013 to launch the 4x4 model in the UK. ALLGRIP ‘Auto’ was available as an option in the next generation Swift launched in the UK in 2017 and continues to be part of the current range of the latest model Swift Hybrid launched in 2024.
Availability of Swift with 4x4 technology went much further back than this though as for the Japanese domestic market, the Cultus model, later badged as Swift, was also available with 4x4 as an option equipped with the 1.3-litre engine from 1988. Also, for the Japanese market only, the higher powered Swift GTi model featured permanent four-wheel drive from 1988-1991.
IGNIS COMPACT CROSSOVER MODEL WITH ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ LAUNCHED IN 2017
The Ignis compact crossover also adopted Suzuki’s optional ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ four-wheel drive system. First introduced in Swift, this is a well proven and simple fully automatic and permanent four-wheel drive layout which transfers additional torque to the rear wheels when required via a viscous coupling, further enhancing the already highly acclaimed cornering ability of the Ignis.
Enhancements to the Ignis ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ system versus the Swift system include Hill Descent Control and Grip Control which activates on slippery surfaces at speeds of less than 18mph. The first generation Ignis model, available in the UK between 2004-2007 was also available with a 4X4 option, this was known as 4GRIP.
ACROSS PHEV – LAUNCHED IN 2020.
Suzuki launched the Across model in Autumn 2020, a robust and sporty SUV equipped with a sophisticated Plug-in Hybrid system and E-Four electronic 4x4, delivering uncompromising performance and efficiency with the capability and styling of a full-fledged modern SUV.
The state-of-the-art E-Four electronic 4x4 system provides drivers with genuine 4x4 performance as well as maintaining superior fuel efficiency. The system features an independent 40kW rear motor that works in conjunction with the front motor to provide front: rear torque variation ranging from 100:00 to 20:80.
CURRENT S-CROSS – LAUNCHED IN 2021 WITH AVAILABILITY OF MILD AND FULL HYBRID ENGINES
The Suzuki S-Cross has earned high acclaim for its stylish design, compact and easy to manage dimensions and good on-road performance. It was replaced in late 2021 by an all-new model which takes advantage of Suzuki’s long-established expertise in packaging vehicles above their class with flexibility, an even higher level of safety equipment and the latest technology to meet the diverse needs of both driver and passengers.
In early 2025, S-Cross received an even higher level of safety technology as standard for both Motion and Ultra models including Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Speed Control, Driver Monitoring System and eCall.
Suzuki’s ALLGRIP ‘Select’ system is fitted optionally, and incorporates four driver-selectable modes for safe, enjoyable driving on diverse surfaces.
