New Suzuki Jimny 5-Door with Extra Space and Comfort

A new 5-door version of the iconic, selectable four-wheel-drive Suzuki Jimny SUV offering added practicality and enhanced interior space has arrived in New Zealand.

The longer model joins the fourth generation Jimny 3-door that has been a success story from launch and offers a new dimension to the world’s smallest authentic off-roader, including an upgraded specification.

While the width and height of the 5-door remains the same as the Jimny 3-door, the overall length extends 340 mm to provide a still compact 3,820 mm body length or 3,985 mm including the full size rear-mounted spare wheel. At the same time the longer 2,590 mm wheelbase compares with 2,250 mm for the 3-door.

The rear seats benefit from increased thickness and added width while the luggage area more than doubles from 85 litres to 211 litres with the rear seats raised. They can also be locked in two reclining positions for improved comfort. The load area capacity increases to 332 litres when the rear seats are folded and the convenience is further improved by the large side-opening rear door and 12 volt power sockets front and rear.

Contrasting with the black finish grille on the Jimny 3-door, the 5-door boasts a chrome and dark grey grille while the extended body retains the distinctive styling cues of the shorter Suzuki. The squarish lines and upright A-pillars increases the field of vision and reduces blind spots. A flat, square clamshell bonnet shape allows the body guards to be visible right to the front edges.

Roof drip rails help prevent water from dripping on driver and passengers when entering or exiting the Jimny and also facilitate the mounting of a flexible roof carrier. The tough body configuration is designed to withstand harsh environments with wheel arch mouldings and side sills and splash guards protecting body panels even when stones bounce off them.

The 5-door retains strong ladder frame underpinnings and the same generous 210 mm ground clearance and tread of the Jimny 3-door. Front suspension changes include an increase in the coil springs, revised damping characteristics of the shock absorbers and a heavier duty anti-roll bar. A further upgrade is the fitment of ventilated front disc brakes.

A three-link rigid rear axle and coil spring suspension system mirrors the 3-door while the 195/80R15 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres fitted to 15-inch alloy wheels are also the same.

All Jimny models are part time four wheel drive and the Suzuki ALLGRIP PRO system with its low range transfer case allows high and low final drive ratios depending on the road conditions or the terrain. The driver can simply select 2WD, 4WD or 4WD Low Lock when the going gets really rough.

To cope with difficult off road situations the 5-door model has an approach angle of 36 degrees (37 degrees for the 3-door), a ramp break-over angle of 24 degrees (28 degrees) and a departure angle of 47 degrees (49 degrees).

Hill descent control limits the Jimny to 5 km/h in low range, braking individual wheels for controlled descending, enabling the driver to concentrate on steering without using the brakes or clutch. Hill hold control helps prevent the vehicle rolling rearwards so the driver can focus on controlling acceleration.

Curb weight is still a trim 1,200 kg, a 105 kg increase on the 3-door, or when the Jimny is specified with the optional strengthened four-stage automatic transmission model the weight is just 15 kg heavier at 1,215 kg. The 5-door has a relatively nimble turning circle of 11.4 metres and the recirculating ball steering is well suited for all-terrain duty.

The well proven 1,462 cm3 4-cylinder Suzuki K15B multi-point injection engine has an aluminium block and cylinder head and twin overhead chain-driven camshafts, variable valve technology (VVT) and multi-point fuel injection. It has four valves per cylinder and lightweight pistons with low-tension rings. The power unit is lightweight, compact and fuel efficient with strong low and mid-range torque that ideally suit the character of the Jimny.

Maximum output is 75 kW at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 130 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and the new 5-door is as economical as the 3-door. In the combined fuel cycle, the five-speed manual model achieves 6.4 litres/100 km NEDC (7.1 3P-WLTP) while the four-stage auto returns 6.9 litres/100 km NEDC (7.7 3P-WLTP) fuel consumption.

CO2 emissions are 165 3P-WLTP grams/km for the manual and 179 3P-WLTP for the automatic version.

The well appointed interior features a larger nine inch information display (with HD resolution) that replaces the seven-inch display in the 3-door Jimny. This touchscreen provides live vehicle information, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and wireless Apple Carplay, WiFi and USB connectivity.

Dual camera brake support (DCBS) recognises vehicles, pedestrians and lane markings, helping to avoid collisions and damage through warnings and automatic braking. The 5-door gains rear parking sensors and the autonomous emergency braking system uses a stereo camera set-up rather than the single-cam system in the 3-door. The rear camera display is yet another aid to safe motoring.

An AEB system with day and night pedestrian protection, weaving alert, electronic stability control, projector LED headlights and halogen daytime running lights are standard. Cruise control is standard on manual models while the automatic transmission 5-door Jimny has adaptive cruise control with a usage range between 40 km/h and 130 km/h.

A tilt-adjustable steering wheel is leather covered, electric windows front and rear are standard along with climate control air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors, anti-lock braking with EBD and brake assist, six airbags and front fog lamps.

Seven body colours are available with three of these adding a black roof. The Jimny 5-door has a recommended retail price of $40,990 plus on road costs and the automatic is $44,990 plus ORC. The three year, 100,000 km new vehicle warranty covers the entire vehicle plus an additional two year powertrain warranty extension for a total of five years. The Jimny benefits from a five year roadside assistance programme for added peace of mind.