Off Road Test: Suzuki's Jimny 5 Door

Off Road Test: Suzuki’s Jimny 5 Door.

It’s one thing driving a vehicle on launch and another when you get to spend more time with same. Let me explain. I loved the launch drive as we crossed the border into Botswana. Driving on the Limpopo River bed was a great experience to really test the “off-road” capabilities of the Suzuki Jimny 5 Door. That was in early December 2023. Fast forward to February 2024 and I spent more time with the loveable and probably ‘the best 4x4 by far’. February is known to be the month of love, and yes, I did fall in love with the all traction and improved Jimny from Suzuki.

The 5 door edition was much awaited and it’s no wonder that everywhere I drove the vehicle to, the vehicle got the looks from a wide range of on-lookers. Some wanted to see the vehicle, especially in shopping centre car parks, and I duly obliged.

This is the first time in the 50-year history of the Suzuki Jimny that a five-door model is offered. And according to Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa, SASA did this to meet the unprecedented demand for the hardy off-roader from customers who, owing to family size or overlanding requirements, asked for a larger Jimny model. Boxes ticked.

Easy-Peasy Off-Roading

I spent almost a day at a popular off-road track near Hillcrest in Durban. An ideal place to really test the Jimny and put it through it’s paces. This is no easy track. Lots of undulation, some incredible and rocky twists and turns that I never  thought I’d get through, some serious river wading (210mm ground clearance), steep inclines and declines and then some. On the inclines and declines, I let the vehicle do its own thing. By the end of the day, I was approached by another off-roader who very kindly asked if I could assist to pull his 4x4 out from thick and heavy, deep mud. I smiled wryly as I took the Jimmy 5 Door to the spot to assist. And I was able to tow the stuck vehicle out, inside 10 minutes. Flying colours.

It was clear from the outset that the engineers and designers of the Jimny were not willing to compromise on five decades of legacy, evolutionary design and sheer off-road capabilities. Plucky, capable and agile to say the least.

 

What’s New!

Image: Naresh Maharaj

As a start, the engineers stretched the wheelbase of the three-door Jimny to 2 590 mm. This was enough to allow them to add two rear passenger doors and more room, but not so much as to compromise its off-road capabilities.

The designers kept the same front and rear designs as the three-door model. This includes the upright grille, round headlamps fitted on either side of the grille, the square edges and the fitment of the spare wheel to the side hinging rear door.

The five-door model has the same square wheel arch extensions, large side mirrors (painted gloss black on the GLX version), large glass house with privacy glass on the rear windows and integrated drip rails that also allows for the fitment of heavy-duty roof racks and other outdoor equipment, including jerry cans and storage boxes. 

Interior

The inside of the cabin is aestetically pleasing. Easy on the eye yet inviting at the same time. Fun and full functionality, which adds to the driving pleasure. All driver assists are within easy reach and once seated, you feel that comfort. SASA have also taken with safety aspect, with the Jimny 5 Door boasting all the safety bells and whistles you will ever need.   

Image: Supplied

All South African versions of the five-door Jimny will have a 50:50 split rear bench, an additional power socket in the luggage compartment and a multi-functional steering wheel that is height adjustable.

The GLX further adds two inches to the infotainment screen (from 7" on the GL to 9" on the GLX). All versions have Apple Car Play and Android Auto in full colour and will show images from the reverse camera on the infotainment screen.

 

Space it out!

When it comes to space and convenience, the five-door Jimny offers just the right amount of extra space and convenience. The rear doors add ease of entry and exit with additional assist grips for the two rear passengers. The two rear seats can fold individually or together, increasing the rear loading space from 211 litres to 332 litres. The cabin has 1 113 litres of space in total. Plenty of space for any bundu-bashing adventure.

 

Under the bonnet

The 5dr model has the same 1.5 litre petrol engine multi-point injection, 16 valves with variable valve management a 10:1 compression ratio for more useable power at all engine speeds. The engine delivers 75 kW at 6 000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4 000 rpm. The power is delivered through a five speed manual transmission (available on the GL and GLX models) or a four-speed automatic transmission (GLX only) to the rear wheels under normal circumstances or all-four wheels when the transfer gearbox is engaged. It is important to note that the Suzuki Jimny is fitted with a complete off-road system, including a transfer gearbox with 2H, 4H and 4 Low Range modes.

Image: Supplied

 

Verdict

I loved being behind the wheel of the Jimny 5door. Gear selection (2H, 4H and 4L) to match the terrain is simple and quick. Average fuel consumption was around a pleasing 7l per 100kms, considering that I drove for on our national roads for lengthy periods. I sat on the back seat to test the increased space. Just perfect. Suzuki has a winner with the Jimny 5 door. 

Pricing (incl)

1.5 GL MT R429 900

1.5 GLX MT R457 900

1.5 GLX AT R479 900