Suzuki, the renowned Japanese automaker, has made a significant leap in the South African market by launching the highly anticipated five-door variant of its famed Jimny model. With reported prices ranging from R429,900 to R479,900, this release marks a new chapter in the Jimny legacy, as revealed by TopAuto.

Originally introduced as the fourth-generation model in 2018, the Jimny quickly captured the hearts of enthusiasts, primarily due to its exceptional off-road capabilities and compact design.

Addressing the demands of devoted fans, Suzuki has now expanded the Jimny family with the inclusion of two additional doors, elevating its versatility and practicality for everyday use. This updated model has undergone various enhancements, further solidifying its reputation for off-road prowess while adapting to urban requirements seamlessly.

Enhancements and Features

The newly introduced five-door version of the Jimny extends its length to 3,965mm, featuring an increased wheelbase of 2,590mm, surpassing its three-door counterpart by a significant margin (which measures at 2,250mm).

Beyond its larger dimensions, the five-door variant boasts an expanded boot capacity of 211 litres, an augmentation of 126 litres when compared to the three-door model. However, essential measurements like height, width, and ground clearance—1,670mm, 1,645mm, and 210mm respectively—remain consistent.

Moreover, the updated Jimny comes equipped with several standard features that were previously optional, including a chrome grille, a 7.0-inch touchscreen (or 9.0-inch on the GLX) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, and a rear 12V socket. Additionally, the GLX units of the five-door model receive an array of enhancements such as automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, automatic climate control, six airbags, auto-folding side mirrors, and a leather steering wheel.

Furthermore, the Jimny five-door introduces three exclusive metallic colors: Sizzling Red, Celestial Blue, and Granite Grey. It maintains other standard features from the three-door model, including 15-inch alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel, air conditioning, electric windows, ABS, hill assist, and electronic stability control.

Performance and Specifications

Under the hood, all models are powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, delivering 75kW and 130Nm. The power is transmitted to all four wheels through Suzuki’s AllGrip all-wheel-drive system, featuring a low-range transfer case.

Transmission options vary across models, with the GL available solely in manual, while other variants offer both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Impressively, the fuel consumption rates remain similar to the three-door model, standing at 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres for the manual and 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres for the automatic.

Despite the additional doors, the increase in weight is marginal, just slightly surpassing 100 kilograms. However, certain 4×4 off-road angles have slightly changed, with adjustments in the approach, break-over, and departure angles.

Pricing and Warranty

The Suzuki Jimny line-up in South Africa includes various models, each priced accordingly:

• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GL AllGrip 3-door – R390,900
• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GL AllGrip 3-door Auto – R412,900
• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip 3-door – R416,900
• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GL AllGrip 5-door – R429,900
• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip 3-door Auto – R438,900
• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip 5-door – R457,900
• Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip 5-door Auto – R479,900

Each model comes with a 5-year/200,000km promotional warranty and a 4-year/60,000km service plan, ensuring customer satisfaction and peace of mind.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Suzuki Jimny five-door in South Africa marks a significant milestone in the automotive landscape, catering to the demands of off-road enthusiasts and everyday commuters alike. With its enhanced features, increased practicality, and unwavering performance, the Jimny five-door is set to make waves and carve its own path in the country’s automotive market.