Suzuki Jimny XL 2024 Review

The Jimny is the small car that could be for Suzuki.

The three-door debuted to great fanfare in 2019, and the wait has been long since then. The five-door Jimny XL has joined the fray in late 2023, and while the waiting list isn’t as extensive, it’s still hot property.

What’s all the fuss about? It’s hard to understand in theory.

Compact, basic in interior and powered by a powerful 1.5-litre engine without a turbocharger, the only metric that helps the Jimny beat other small SUVs on the charts is off-road capability… which isn’t a major concern for the average small SUV buyer.

But to dismiss this little Suzuki because it doesn’t make sense on paper is to miss the point entirely. Despite its flaws, the Jimny is a charming antidote to the sameness of modern cars.

Just make sure you know what you’re doing…

How to Suzuki Jimny compare?

See detailed analysis of Suzuki Jimny compared to similarly sized vehicles.

Suzuki

Jimny

How much does a Suzuki Jimny cost?

Prices for the Jimny range start at just under $30,000 before on-road costs, with the XL automatic tested here being the most expensive model in the range.

To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use comparison tool.

What is the interior of the Suzuki Jimny like?

Simplicity is the name of the game.

With a vertical dashboard, basic gauges and lots of hard plastic, this is not a luxury car.

But then, that didn’t happen. Suzuki was after a solid, classic feel when driving, and the Jimny delivers.

Visibility out the short bonnet is excellent and everything you need to use regularly is within easy reach.

If you’re tall it’s a bit tight sliding under the steering wheel, but once in there’s actually a surprising amount of space. I just wish the steering wheel adjusted for reach, rather than just moving up and down.

Infotainment is provided by an aftermarket-looking 9.0-inch touchscreen integrated into the top of the dashboard. While it feels like a tuner, it actually works well and quickly on the go, connecting reliably with wireless smartphone mirroring.

The rear camera is poor, but this isn’t a big car. With its compact dimensions and near-vertical rear end, it’s still easy enough to park in tight spaces.

Front storage is limited. There are two cupholders between the seats, a phone slot under the dashboard and slim door pockets, but beyond that you’ll have to use the open space in front of the passenger or the small glovebox.

Rear seat space is a mixed bag. On the plus side, you’ll have a big person sitting behind a small person sitting up front, and you don’t have to twist to squeeze through the folded front seats like you would in a two-door.

It’s not a huge car, but it can be used to take the kids out or take friends to the train station… as long as you only need to fit three people in the car, instead of four.

Rear passengers don’t get air vents or USB ports, nor does there is a fold-down center armrest. Top seatbelts and ISOFIX child seat points are present in both rear seats, and the squared-off rear doors make it easy to get small children into the car.

Boot space is claimed to be 211 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1113 litres when folded flat. The side-opening rear doors make it easy to load bulky items, but it’s still not a huge space in the back.

For example, you’ll want to fold down the rear seats to carry weekend camping gear, although the significant gap between the boot floor and the seats can make loading more difficult.

To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use comparison tool.

What’s under the hood?

This is no straight-shooting rocket, with two extra doors and 100kg more weight than the two-door Jimny with the same engine.

To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use comparison tool.

How does the Suzuki Jimny drive?

With a naturally aspirated engine and a conventional four-speed automatic transmission, the Jimny has a bit of a retro feel.

There is no learning curve here, you just keep your foot down and it goes… slowly, unless you Actually Put your foot down. In news that should surprise no one, fitting a 130Nm torque engine and high gear ratios isn’t exactly a spaceship. But then again, that’s not really the point.

Despite its underpowering nature, the Jimny is still a lot of fun to drive around town. It’s small, so it doesn’t shy away from tight spaces and small parking spaces, and there’s never any risk of denting a wheel or hitting a bumper unless you’re really reckless.

You can easily see the corners of the hood, and the upright rear end doesn’t obscure the car in your blind spot like other models with coupe-style designs and large pillars.

The steering is quite slow and doesn’t auto-center as quickly as you’d expect, which means you’re more busy at the wheel than you would be in most city-sized SUVs, although even your grandmother could probably back up with one hand.

Compared to the somewhat sluggish two-door model, the XL’s longer wheelbase makes for a more comfortable driving experience.

It handles better on bumpy city streets, and feels more stable at highway speeds. Instead of being buffeted by strong winds and constantly hitting the steering wheel to stay in the middle of its lane, the XL feels more secure.

The engine has to work at full power at 100km/h, while the narrow track, tall bodywork and upright sides mean this is still a car that demands constant attention on the road.

When cruising, the car runs at under 3000 rpm with the boost engaged, and as soon as it goes uphill, the transmission shifts from fourth to third to increase speed, making a little more noise and power.

It’s a little slower than the manual, but the Jimny automatic has a key advantage in the form of adaptive cruise control. It does a good job of maintaining a distance from the car in front and helping to lighten the load in difficult medium-speed traffic.

What about off-road capability? That’s the Jimny’s strongest point.

It’s easy to switch from 2H to high-range four-wheel drive or low-range four-wheel drive using an old-fashioned lever near the driver’s left knee, and the Jimny XL’s extra length doesn’t detract from the car’s already-robust stance.

With solid approach, departure and ramp-over angles, and a mix of mechanical and electronic aids (in the form of hill descent control), the Jimny has a natural advantage because it’s light and small.

The big, expensive LandCruisers and Patrols are already very close to the curbs of most off-road courses, leaving you with few options when it comes to picking your way around difficult obstacles. The little Jimny gives you more options.

Speaking of options, there’s also a booming aftermarket parts movement that allows owners to turn an already capable little off-roader into something much more powerful.

To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use comparison tool.

What do you get?

The Jimny XL comes in a version with either a manual or automatic transmission.

Standard equipment of Jimny XL:

• 4 seats
• Automatic LED headlights
  • Projector type
  • Manual balance
• Front fog lights
• Privacy glass
• Hill Descent Control
• 15 inch alloy wheels
• 15 inch alloy spare tire
• Leather steering wheel
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• DAB digital radio
• Cruise control
• 1 x USB socket
• 2 12V sockets
• Fabric cover
• 2 x top child seat anchor points
• 2 x ISOFIX child seat anchor points

Available colors include:

• Arctic White Pearl
• Ivory Chiffon Metallic
• Black Blue Pearl
• Metallic Grey Granite
• Metallic Red
• Greenwood

Available in Sizzling Red and Chiffon Ivory with Blueish Black Pearl hood.

Is Suzuki Jimny safe?

The Suzuki Jimny XL has not been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

The three-door model was rated three stars based on testing carried out in 2018, but it is made in Japan while the XL model is made in India.

The lack of a five-star safety rating isn’t a deal-breaker for the two-door, with the long wait still to come. It’s probably not the issue here either.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning (at speeds above 60km/h)
• Front, front side and curtain airbags
• Rear camera
• Rear parking sensor

The automatic system has adaptive cruise control, which operates at speeds from 40km/h to 130km/h.

How much does it cost to run a Suzuki Jimny?

The Jimny XL comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty like many other Suzuki models.

CarExpert’s review of Suzuki Jimny

The Jimny XL doesn’t redefine the formula set by the two-door, but it does make it easier to take your friends along for the ride.

It’s still a bit weak in a straight line and doesn’t have the polish of its more car-like rivals if you want a simple everyday commuter… but that’s not really a problem.

Not only is the Jimny a talented off-roader, it has a cool factor that no other car in its price range can replicate. It makes you happy in a way. Toyota Yaris Cross or Mazda CX-30 won’t, and that means something.

The XL isn’t much more expensive than the two-door, and the extra weight doesn’t hurt performance as much as you might expect. It was slow before, and it’s still slow now.

However, if possible, we recommend choosing a manual transmission. It’s better in a straight line, better on the highway, and more fun to drive, which suits the Jimny’s personality.

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