You likely had no idea that this small off-roader had a hidden identity with a different badge. | Carscoops

      Mazda's collaborations with Suzuki during the 1990s featured a badge-engineered version of the Jimny designed to comply with JDM kei car regulations.

      Suzuki's Jimny, known as an off-road classic, was also offered under the Mazda nameplate.

      From 1999 to 2013, the AZ-Offroad was a Jimny marketed under Mazda’s JDM Autozam brand.

      Other Suzuki-manufactured Autozam models include the notable AZ-1, a gullwing kei car.

      Given the high costs of developing modern automobiles, it’s understandable that competing automakers often collaborate to share resources and reduce expenses, or simply rebrand another company’s product. Such partnerships allowed Toyota and Subaru to proceed with the development of the GR86 and BRZ, and also made it possible to purchase a Mazda Jimny that many might not have been aware of.

      Additionally, a small Suzuki has recently been updated with a Jimny-inspired facelift that’s sure to catch your eye.

      Indeed, the Jimny, Suzuki's compact off-roader, has aimed to be a Land Rover in spirit since its inception in 1970. Between 1998 and 2013, Suzuki produced Jimnys that carried Mazda badges for the Japanese market.

      A Recognizable Design in Different Branding

      The Mazda AZ-Offroad was based on the third-generation Jimny that launched in 1998, particularly the version tailored to meet kei mini-car standards. Unlike the export Jimny that featured a 1.3-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, the AZ-Offroad was equipped with a 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing the maximum allowed 63 hp (64 PS) under kei regulations, with options for both manual and automatic transmissions.

      It also featured narrower wheel arches and shorter bumpers to comply with kei standards, mirroring Suzuki's own kei version of the Jimny. The two micro SUVs appeared nearly identical down to their grilles, bumpers, and wheels, exemplifying true badge-engineering, reminiscent of the earlier vitara-based Proceed Levante.

      The Legacy of Autozam

      While the AZ-Offroad displayed Mazda's winged grille logo, the "AZ" in its name pays homage to a previous joint venture with Suzuki. Autozam was a Mazda sub-brand launched in 1989 aimed at the Japanese market, focusing on compact cars developed with Suzuki's expertise in kei vehicles. The most recognized model in the West is the AZ-1, a mini supercar featuring gullwing doors, although Autozam also marketed versions of Mazda's models, such as the MX-3, which became the AZ-3.

      By 1998, Mazda began winding down the Autozam division, along with its Eunos and ɛ̃fini brands, established around the same time. Numerous Autozam dealerships were gradually eliminated, and Mazda ceased to use the AZ name for new vehicles, although the Offroad continued until 2014, having undergone a refresh six years prior.

      While the AZ-Offroad may not be as thrilling or collectible as the AZ-1, it represents an intriguing chapter in Mazda and Suzuki's history.

      Furthermore, like many unusual JDM vehicles, some have appeared in North America. A brief search revealed a couple of 1999 models available through JdmOffroad: one with roughly 70,000 miles priced at $12,499, and another with 72,000 miles listed at $11,900.

      So if you're in the market for a Jimny that bears a different name and a less common badge, now might be your opportunity.