WHAT IS IT?
Suzuki has taken the fanatically popular mini-4x4 and given it a stretch so that two more doors could be added, along with a bigger boot and improved road manners. The result? A funky little winner.
WHY THIS?
When the fourth-generation Jimny was released in 2018, it was a hit around the world – waiting lists were the order of the day. Why? Jimnys are legendary off-road vehicles that are also reliable, cheap to run, can go just about anywhere and, in the case of this new model, are absolutely gorgeous.
Now Suzuki has given a Jimny five doors for the first time ever in the vehicle’s 50-year history! That means more space, more practicality, more comfort and more epic-ness.
OUTSIDE
This is modern art. Well, from most angles – from the side the five-door Jimny looks a little out of proportion, as the wheelbase has been stretched by 340mm to fit in that extra row of doors.
But I just love a 4x4 that can be drawn entirely with a ruler and pencil (save for the wheels and lights). The square lines, the wheel at each corner – this is a handsome little critter.
INSIDE
A ruler can do most of the guidelines on the interior too, which is perfectly in keeping with the character of the vehicle and matches the exterior’s ruggedness. What is interesting is that while there are five doors, there are four seats – only two passengers can be accommodated in the back.
The interior is identical to that of the three-door model, which means it has a 9-inch (7-inch on the GL model) touchscreen system set into an upright, utilitarian (in a good way) dash. In addition, there are a multifunction steering wheel, aircon, electric windows and a few other features, but not loads.
THE DRIVE
The longer wheelbase of this five-door Jimny makes a big difference in road comfort and road holding – it is much less bouncy on uneven surfaces and soaks up bumps well.
Something that has not changed even one bit is the mechanics of the Jimny. The same 1.5-litre petrol engine (no turbo, no hybrid assistance) still produces 75kW and 130Nm, which means that this 75kg heavier vehicle is slower than the smaller one. Problem? Yes and no. This car is not meant to go fast, so if you embrace this more relaxed style of driving you’ll be happy. A five-speed manual and a four-speed auto gearbox are available. Fuel consumption is claimed to be 6.4L/100km.
The Jimny has a proper 4x4 system, with two gear levers, a low-range transfer case, hill-descent control, hill assist and an electronic system that acts as a diff-lock on wheels with no traction.
FINAL WORD
A single final word would be: lovable. This car is better than the three-door in just about every way, and it’s got more room for character and appeal. It will also (for the bean counters) have exceptional resale value and will prove to be as reliable as we have come to expect from Suzuki.
GO GET IT
Starting at R429 900 the Jimny is cheap for a true 4x4 but quite pricey for a compact car. It depends where you believe value lies. The price includes a 4-year/60 000km service plan and a 5-year/200 000km warranty. Visit www.suzukiauto.co.za for more.
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