Auto tested more than 80 cars in 2024. As has become tradition, we re-publish our twelve favourite tests of the year as our Best Tests daily through mid-December. Then we present three Auto Special Awards in Best EV, Best Bakkie and Performance car of the year 2024. And then we choose the Top 3 Best Tests, before announcing Best Test 2024 on 1 January 2025. So come back for your daily Auto entertainment everyday through your holidays!
Auto Best Test 2023 #8: Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX 5-door
Five-door transforms Jimny into a serious all-rounder
Suzuki’s delightful little Jimny has always been a bit of a legend. Borne of a saga that stretches half a century back to the 1970s, it was conceived as a capable off-road 4×4 to deliver on Japanese Kei small car tax breaks. First as an air-cooled 359 cc two-stroke two-cylinder puddle jumper. A liquid-cooled version followed, then a 539 cc 3-cylinder. And then Jimny became an 800 cc four-stroke 4-pot.
That grew to a litre and then 1300 cc in the previous model, before gaining variable valve timing in 2005. Subjected to continual refinement in all areas, Suzuki has sold over 3 million Jimnys in five decades. But it’s always been a bit of a toy. Its perhaps limited Nürburgring ability and only three doors have always made it something of an emotional choice. A toy, so to say.
Boasting contemporary cubist 4×4 looks, the little Suzuki has however certainly always delivered on that go-anywhere promise. Its retro-classic style touches all of yesterday, today, and tomorrow so well. Simplistic and superbly proportioned, subtle bits like auto LED projector headlamps add supreme style without needing to go over the top in any way.
Squint a little and you see it’s a bit different
Now it’s all change. Squint a little and you may notice that this one’s a bit different. Longer than usual, it’s the all new 5-door. And that’s transformed this fun little car into something that can now also be taken far more seriously. It’s a bit like some of us always wanted our two front teeth to prove we were grown up. Except all Jimny ever wanted were these two back doors!
Suzuki engineers started by stretching the wheelbase of the three-door to 2,590 mm. They used that extra 340 mm to graft in two back doors and used all the new room in there to great effect too. Now also a similar 340 mm longer at 3,820 mm, not much else has changed. 4×4 breakover remains a fine 36 degrees, ground clearance 210 mm. And there are two windows beyond the B pillar, rather than one. But that’s about it.
Hop aboard and you’re also greeted by the same a cheeky, grippy and sparse but well equipped cabin. It splendidly reflects Jimny’s fifty-year history via a commanding driving position. It’s fun and functional dashboard still has controls close at hand. And Jimny packs in a most impressive spec, from climate control to power steering, windows and mirrors, remote central locking and cruise control.
Much thought has gone into the Jimny cabin
It is also clear that a hell of a lot of thought has gone into the Jimny’s roomier new 5-door cabin. This GLX adds a leather multifunction steering wheel to run bright and cheerful Android Auto, Apple Carplay, MirrorLink, USB, SD-card and Bluetooth integrated 7” infrared-touchscreen infotainment on the dash and a good old always-lit analogue tacho and speedometer in front of the driver.
Jimny’s finest party tricks remains its completely adjustable and versatile fold-flat front and rear seats that allow one or a couple to sleep in the car. Or pack in a surfboard or similar long load over the passenger seat if needed. But now there’s literally acres more space in the back and easy rear cabin access through those two back doors. Or through the tailgate via the 50:50 split rear bench seat.
Jimny’s biggest plus is unstoppable all-terrain ability. This little Suzuki is phenomenal off the beaten track. Its spun around a sturdy high-strength steel X-member ladder frame triple-linked to each its two solid axles. AllGrip Pro 4×4 has a shift lever to transfer between 2H two and 4H four-wheel drive on the fly at up to 100km/h. And of course, a transfer box to put it into 4L low range. All of which makes this little critter pretty much unstoppable.
Jimny is literally unstoppable off road
Add proprietary Brake Limited Slip Differential and electronic stability control to send drive to the wheels with the most grip and an extra-power mode below 30km/h in low-range, and Jimny will quite literally take you anywhere. Hill Hold and Descent Control add to a stunning pedigree, never mind a 37-degree approach, 49 degree departure and 28 degree break-over angles and an increased 210 mm ground clearance.
The 3-door Jimny’s feisty little 75 kW 130 Nm 1.5-litre K15B petrol four-pot carries over too. This familiar Suzuki 1500 lump has a high 10:1 compression ratio and enhanced thermal efficiency. It’s a great little engine and brings newfound spirit to an already sprightly vehicle. It’s no slouch either, as our test data attests.
Eleven and a bit seconds zero-to-hundred is acceptable in this five-speed manual and the Suzuki also delivers well on its frugal 6.3 litre per hundred economy. Just another win for the little Samurai. You can of course also get a 4-speed auto of you want one. Talking gearboxes, this stick-shifter is an absolute pleasure. Direct and honest, just like the rest of this little gem.
Two Back doors make Jimny so much more
Problem is, while Jimny is so capable of conquering the world, how many of the people that bought one actually exploited it’s extreme off-road capability? Surely not too many. That may change now. This new 5-door adds more than enough practicality to take its now even broader capable persona beyond just a free-living image.
Either way, the Suzuki Jimny’s great pedigree is more than enough to justify this great little car. Even more so now with its two back doors… – Michele Lupini
Images & test data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX 5-door Engine:75 kW 130 Nm 1,499 cc petrol I4 Drive: 5-speed manual 4x4 TESTED: 0-60km/h: 4.17 sec 0-100km/h: 11.87 sec 0-120 km/h: 17.74 sec 400m: 18.1 sec @ 121 km/h 80-120km/h: 9.85 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 145 km/h Fuel: 6.3 l/100km CO2: 146 g/km Range: 630 km Warranty/Service: 5y 200K/4y 60K km LIST PRICE: R457K How does it shape up? Check Auto's Test Records now!