All-Weather Adventurer: Suzuki Jimny 5-Door

Great things come in small packages, and that couldn’t be more true in the case of the great Suzuki Jimny.

This legend of an off-road machine has been around for four generations over five decades. The Jimny has tackled all kinds of terrain and weather conditions from the sandy desert, to tropical rainforests, to the tightest trails going up the most challenging mountains… even in the snow.

While the Philippines has never been treated to snow, the Jimny is ready to take on anything else the terrain or the weather can throw its way. And now there’s a new version, one that has more space, two more doors, and the same legendary capability: the Jimny 5-Door.

What makes the Jimny great is the adherence to tradition. Modern crossover attributes like monocoques and independent suspension are great for paved roads, but when the road vanishes then what you’ll need is proven off-road engineering.

Suzuki won’t use a monocoque for the Jimny; they stick to a tried and true ladder frame chassis just like the toughest 4x4s out there. And they opted to stick with a proper solid axle on a three-link set-up with coil springs. This is the setup that 4x4 enthusiasts adhere to, as it gives the enhanced vertical articulation that would be limited in an independent setup.

Even the steering is something straight out of a 4x4: recirculating ball, not rack and pinion. The classic approach of combining ladder frame chassis, solid suspension, steering, together with a proven 1.5-liter engine and a choice of either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, grants the Jimny an edge when taken well beyond the reaches of civilization and cellphone signal.

From many angles, the Jimny 5-Door exudes the iconic looks that made the previous generations so legendary. It’s squared off as a 2-box SUV and features the classic round headlamps and slotted grille. And in a market where crossovers are trying to be as sleek and as futuristic as possible, Suzuki goes the other way and gives enthusiasts something fresh by sticking to tradition.

The more you examine the vehicle, the more you realize it’s all about form following function. The wheel arches are extended to prevent mud from being kicked up. The bumpers stay black because these will likely have to work more by pushing bushes to the side and below. The tailgate swings out instead of up, as it bears the weight of a spare tire for easy access. Even the tub roof has rain gutters on the rim that help when you want to open the windows while maneuvering on a trail. It’s all functional here; the style comes naturally.

The benefit of the Jimny 5-Door really is the extra space that will most definitely come in handy when you’ve got family and friends along for your adventure. A three-door is great, but the 5-door lets people get in and out much easier from the back seat. And there’s also more knee room and space to go around for adults in the back.

The true advantage is that even if the rear seat is occupied, there’s a sizeable boot for your bags and gear. 211 liters of cargo volume is plenty for a weekend adventure away, but if there are no passengers in the back, then you can expand that space up to 332 liters by folding down the rear seats, or even up to 1113 liters by maximizing the available space all around. It just gives you more versatility overall.

The aspect that people look for in a Jimny, be it with 3 or 5 doors, is the ability to go any place, any time, and in any condition. The approach angle of 36 degrees and departure angle of 47 degrees allow the Jimny 5-Door to easily negotiate steep inclines and descents. The manual, driver-selectable 4x4 system allows easy and positive engagement of 4WD high range for lighter trails, or 4WD low range for times it gets tricky. There are even features such as hill hold and hill descent control to help you on your way.

The true advantage is the physics of the Jimny. Being a lightweight 4x4 with a GVW of 1545 kilos helps the Jimny 5-Door work easily on loose and soft terrain; the kind that would make driving more difficult for heavier 4x4s. And even if it’s compact, the Jimny 5-Door can cross challenging streams and tower over many obstacles and debris thanks to its 210mm ground clearance.

Once out of the trail and back in civilization, the Jimny 5-Door shows its true potential and versatility, as you can zip your way through the hustle of the city with the Jimny. The powerful A/C makes life easy even on hot days, while the touchscreen display audio gives you the connectivity you need with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Safety features are aplenty with up to 6 airbags (4-AT), stability control, ABS, and even parking sensors and a rearview camera. And floods? No problem… within reason of course.

The more you drive the 2024 Suzuki Jimny 5-Door, be it the 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, the more you’ll be yearning for the great outdoors. Just pick a color that you’d want for this proven compact 4x4: Sizzling Red Metallic, Chiffon Ivory Metallic, Jungle Green, Celestial Blue Pearl, and Arctic White Pearl.

Prices for the Jimny 5-Door start at PHP 1,558,000.

→ Learn more about the new Suzuki Jimny 5-Door with 2 variants