I’ve always had a soft spot for the Suzuki Jimny. In fact, I’d probably start an annual review of the Jimny just to revisit my love for this little lunchbox on wheels (and the resentment that I can’t get one yet because… priorities). After driving it in an off-road adventure last year, my adoration for this nameplate has already extended to the 5-door. Yes, the proportions looked off in photos, but it was fine in the metal. I’m just not a fan of the dark chrome accents on the grille.
I was fairly wrong to judge the Jimny 5-door before getting behind its tiller, I’ll admit that. And after living with the SUV for a full week as a daily driver, there’s more people need to know about the extended Jimny, especially if they’re in the market for one.
It still feels like a Jimny, for better or worse
The Jimny 5-door retains everything I loved about the 3-door: compact footprint, boxy charm, and go-anywhere toughness. Driving it in the city is a breeze – it’s easy to squeeze into tight lanes and park in awkward spots. Thanks to the massive windows and tall greenhouse, visibility is outstanding. You feel like you’re in a rolling fishbowl, but in the best way.
The interior is barebones and proud of it. No soft-touch panels, no plush trim – just honest, rugged materials that you don’t have to baby. Got mud on the door panel? Who cares. The cabin feels like it was built to take a beating, and that’s exactly what I appreciated when you want to put kilometers in on the daily (and a few off-roading escapades).
Don’t get me wrong – the fourth-generation Jimny has gone a long way in terms of tech. It even has cruise control and Apple CarPlay now, albeit wired, displayed on a massive tablet-like touchscreen with a crisp display. It’s also packed with the latest safety features, if that’s one of your concerns.
The best update? Usable cargo space
This is, hands down, the most practical Jimny ever. While rear seat legroom is only marginally better than in the 3-door, the real win is behind the second row. You finally get a cargo hold that’s not laughably shallow. I could throw in bags, gear, groceries, even a folding bike without resorting to creative Tetris.
That said, don’t expect limousine levels of comfort for rear passengers. The extra doors just mean easier ingress and egress – don’t confuse that for actual space. You have to remember that the original Jimny, also called the Samurai, was designed to be a kei car, so being compact is in its DNA.
Rugged but flawed on the road
Let’s talk about on-road manners. The Jimny 5-door weighs about 95 kg more than the 3-door – roughly the weight of an adult on the heavy side – but the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine holds up fine. It’s not fast, nor does it pretend to be, but it gets up to highway speed with enough patience and audible grunt.
However, the steering deserves a closer look. There’s a noticeable heaviness to it, and at speed, it feels a bit vague. In fact, the steering on my test unit seemed slightly off-center – not dangerously so, but enough to notice. Whether that’s a unit-specific issue or a setup flaw remains to be seen.
And then there’s noise. Lots of it. Wind noise, drivetrain hum, road harshness – they all come into the cabin in full force. Again, very on-brand for the Jimny. You buy this thing for its character, not for serenity. If you want a comfortable daily driver, you’re looking at the wrong vehicle.
Fuel efficiency: Manage your expectations
Over a week of mixed driving – mostly highway – I averaged around 10 km/L. Not terrible, but certainly not stellar for something this small. The fuel tank isn’t huge, so you might misjudge it as a gas-guzzling box, but it’s really not. You can stretch your mileage on eco runs if you’re hypermiling at 60 km/h, but in the real world, don’t expect miracles.
Off-road beast
Despite its longer body and zero aftermarket mods, the 5-door Jimny handled light trails and loose terrain without breaking a sweat. We took it last year – twice – through unpaved roads, soft gravel, and the occasional sketchy incline, and it felt tough, composed, and unfazed. That ladder frame, 210 mm ground clearance, and AllGrip Pro 4WD system still do the work, no frills needed.
For the right buyer, it’s absolutely worth it
At P1.7 million for the GLX AT, the Jimny 5-door isn’t a budget buy – and it’s not trying to be. That price tag is an eyebrow-raiser, with many non-fans and casuals calling it overpriced. To some extent, I agree, especially considering the number of alternatives at this price point that offer better driving dynamics, cabin comfort, and top-level driving aids.
But the Jimny, whether the 3-door or the 5-door, is a niche vehicle for people who get it. You don’t buy one for practicality, comfort, or value. You buy it because it’s a Jimny – with everything that comes with it. If you think it’s overpriced, then you’re not the target market, and as I’ve said before, that’s totally fine. Suzuki isn’t knocking on your doors to try and coerce you into signing that dotted line. People buy this machine because they want it. Period.
The Jimny 3-door is still my choice if I were to buy one (someday, I promise). But if you’ve always admired this cute, little off-roader and wanted just a bit more space without losing that rugged spirit, the 5-door is a genuinely satisfying evolution of a cult classic.
