South Africa is a warm home for the Suzuki Jimny, where the diminutive off-roader is loved for its compact size, rugged simplicity and personality. That cult following went up by a notch or more after Suzuki introduced a five-door version in 2023. The aim, which was to increase Jimny’s practicality, paid off as the 2025 model continues with that lineup, offering the same general engineering. There are new tweaks for more usability for the the trim levels in South Africa – the GL and GLX. New features & Key specs
The Jimny five-door is 340 mm longer in total length than the three-door, with the wheelbase increased to ~2,590 mm from ~2,250 mm.
Boot space is much more usable, rising to 209 litres with seats up, expanding to about 332 litres with rear seats folded 50/50.
Ground clearance remains good, at 210 mm, preserving much of the off-road ability. Engine is a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol, producing ~75 kW and 130 Nm. Transmission options: 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
Fuel economy is claimed at ~6.3 L/100 km (manual) and ~6.8 L/100 km (auto) under combined cycle testing. Real-world tends to be higher.
Urban use & Off-road ability
Its compact width and decent visibility make driving around cities, tight parking, narrow lanes much easier compared to larger SUVs. The five-door adds side doors which help ingress/egress in tight spaces.
Off-road, the Jimny remains excellent. The ladder-frame chassis, good ground clearance, four-wheel drive with low-range transfer case, and lightweight body make it well suited to rough tracks, rural roads and even trails.
Performance
The 1.5-litre NA engine (75 kW / 130 Nm) is adequate for off-road and low-speed driving, but on highways, for overtaking, or for sustained higher speeds, it’s underpowered. Especially with the longer, heavier five-door body, lag and slowness are noticeable. On tar, especially at speed or on highways, the ride is less refined. The steering can feel vague, crosswinds affect stability, and you feel more of the bumps, potholes.
Space & Practicalities
While improved, rear legroom and boot space remain modest compared to similarly priced compact SUVs/crossovers. The rear seats don’t fold completely flat in some trims; the tailgate swings sideways (which may be less convenient in tight parking); storage spaces are basic.
Value vs Cost
The pricing is not cheap once you move to GLX and auto versions. For what you get in terms of performance and comfort, some feel there are more rounded SUV options that offer better highway manners, more space, and more features — especially for daily long-distance travel. Also, maintenance, fuel, insurance costs must be factored in.
Verdict
The Suzuki Jimny is a good choice for those who do a lot of off-road, rural or remote road driving, live in or travel through places with bad roads and need high clearance, and low-range 4WD. And if you’re
prepared to pay for value uniqueness and the lifestyle image, and you do not do a lot of long freeway drives, then the Jimny is yours.
Pricing
1.5 GL Manual R429,900
1.5 GLX Manual R457,900
1.5 GLX Automatic R479,900
*With a 200,000km warranty and a 4 years / 60,000km service plan.
