An extra pair of doors and a little more legroom makes the tiny go anywhere Suzuki Jimny a tiny bit more appealing
Singapore – After nearly a decade since its introduction, Suzuki finally brings us a more practical five door Jimny. The small SUV is a capable off-roader with a traditional body-on-frame construction, paired with selectable high and low-range 4WD. For off-roading aficionados, what is there not to love?
Back in its home country, the three-door Jimny is not only sold with its familiar body trimmings and a 1.5 litre engine, but it is also sold as a Kei car – where it has a narrower track, no wheel flares, redesigned bumpers and a 660cc engine, all of which “parks” it in the said smaller car category.
Strictly speaking, I have always seen the three-door Jimny as somewhat a 2+2 seater, rather than a four-seat SUV. The new 5-door Jimny on the other hand, sits on an extended chassis to accommodate the extra space. But in my opinion, the 5-door does sacrifice some of its stylish looks in favour of the additional practicality.
Robust interior for that robust full-flavoured experience
The Jimny’s interior is a simple affair. Materials here feel hardwearing and easy to clean. I like that the electric window switches for the front door cards are located on the dash; which would mean that you need not worry about its electronics getting soaked, especially when the door is left open in the rain (where you might just need to go out of the car to get it unstuck).
The 9-inch touchscreen entertainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, although Android users will have to make do with a wired connection. Like many Japanese cars, the audio system is designed just for entertainment, and not used for making adjustments to the car’s settings.
The air-conditioning control module comes in the form of three neat rings, where the two outer rings feature straightforward rotary dials to toggle the fan speed and thermostat. I like the Jimny’s functions are, for a lack of a better word, ‘traditional’.
Alongside the added rear leg space, the boot has jumped from 85 litres for the 3-door, to 221 litres for the 5-door. This would mean that you can quite easily do a proper grocery run without the need to fold the back row of seats, unlike the 3-door. Speaking of the rear seats, the 5-door Jimny can offer up to 1,100 litres of cargo space.
Drives like how a 4WD would
Power for the 5-door Suzuki Jimny comes from the same natural-breathing 1.5 litre longitudinally-mounted four-cylinder as the 3-door. Output is rated at a very humble 100hp and 130Nm, which in all counts is somewhat sufficient to get the small SUV going. Drive is via a 4-speed automatic, mated to a familiar 2H, 4H and 4L setup.
In a time where most cars I have driven are turbocharged or electric, I must admit that the Jimny, with its old school drivetrain comes across as somewhat refreshing. Over here, you may need some patience to reach highway cruising speeds, and you’d soon realise that you have to plan your overtakes.
At speeds, the Jimny’s vocal engine, coupled with the wind noise from the upright windscreen and large wing mirrors do notably intrude a little into the cabin. Overall, things feel civilised enough for you to enjoy the drive. However, downshifting two gears while overtaking does create quite the din, and I note that the gearbox at times hesitates to upshift.
The Recirculating Ball Steering does show itself while on the go, where you do get a bit of play at the steering, and the front wheels also tend to wander a little.
The bulk of this could be excused as the Jimny is intended to be an off-roader first, and a road car second. Perhaps, if I could have one thing changed, I would have preferred to have one more gear ratio wedged into that four-speed auto, as the 13.7km/l combined consumption makes this Kei-bodied SUV a rather thirsty one.
While most would almost never get the chance to put the Jimny’s off-roading prowess to the test in Singapore, I did find a little slippery-n-yuck space to experience the confidence of the SUV’s 4WD; and it didn’t at all disappoint. The Jimny’s suspension also had sufficient articulation to get the wheels over a few obstacles.
Chic enough for the city, but still purpose-built
Despite its off-roading leanings, the Suzuki Jimny remains civilised enough for daily city driving. Perhaps it is a little like a fish out of the water most days, but once you’re off the beaten path, nothing its size could probably come close.
Photos & Text: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More practical than the 3 door. Bigger boot | Engine needs more grunt |
| Proper 4WD | Could use one more gear |
| Gearbox can be a little stubborn when changing up in higher revs |
2025 Suzuki Jimny 5 Door 1.5 Standard
| Drivetrain | Petrol |
| Layout | 1,462cc, inline 4 |
| Power / torque | 100hp / 130Nm |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Auto |
| Efficiency | 13.7km/l |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 Litres |
| 0-100km/h | Yes |
| Top Speed | 140km/h |
| VES Band | C1 |
| Dealer | Champion Motors |
| Price | S$189,888 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | The five-door Suzuki Jimny trades some of its chic styling for more practicality |
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