Few vehicles in the Australian market stir as much affection as the Suzuki Jimny. Compact, quirky, and unstoppable off-road, the Jimny has earned cult status among adventure seekers, city drivers, and collectors. But for years, it had one limitation: practicality. With only three doors and a tiny boot, the Jimny was perfect for two people and their gear but less ideal for families or longer trips.
Enter the 2025 Suzuki Jimny 5-Door – a stretched version of the beloved small off-roader, designed to provide more space without sacrificing its rugged charm. For Aussies who love exploring both urban streets and rugged outback trails, this model offers a new balance of fun, usability, and affordability.
In this detailed review, we’ll explore everything the new 5-Door Jimny brings to the table – design updates, interior features, safety technology, performance, and how it stacks up against rivals in Australia’s ever-growing compact SUV and off-road market.
Exterior Design – Familiar but Stretched
The Suzuki Jimny has always been known for its boxy, retro-inspired look, and the 2025 5-Door sticks to that winning formula. Its design DNA comes straight from its smaller sibling, but the stretched wheelbase and two extra doors give it a more practical stance.
The dimensions increase significantly compared to the 3-Door:
Wheelbase extended by 340mm
Overall length just under 4 metres
Slightly raised stance for better cabin entry
Despite these changes, the Jimny still looks rugged, with squared-off wheel arches, flat panels, and a classic upright front grille. The five-slot grille, round headlamps with LED upgrades, and chunky bumpers give it a distinctive road presence that sets it apart from modern crossover-style SUVs.
From an off-road perspective, approach and departure angles remain strong, while the added wheelbase slightly reduces the breakover angle. For most adventurers, however, the difference is marginal, and Suzuki has smartly balanced design with functionality.
Interior Comfort and Cabin Space
The biggest news with the Jimny 5-Door is, of course, the cabin. Those extra doors make it far easier for passengers to access the rear seats, a massive improvement over the cramped three-door layout.
Seating
Front seats: supportive, upright, and surprisingly comfortable for long drives, though still basic compared to larger SUVs.
Rear seats: genuinely usable now. Adults can sit in the back for city trips or short highway drives, while kids will find it spacious enough for longer journeys.
Boot space: with the seats up, there’s more luggage room than the three-door, making weekend trips practical. With the rear seats folded, it transforms into a compact gear hauler perfect for camping trips.
Cabin Design
Suzuki hasn’t gone overboard with luxury. The dashboard remains rugged and functional, with hard plastics designed to withstand muddy boots and sandy adventures. But for 2025, the Jimny gets small upgrades:
Larger infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Improved instrument cluster with clearer digital readouts
Better sound insulation, reducing cabin noise compared to previous models
Overall, it’s still a utilitarian cabin, but one that feels modern enough for today’s expectations.
Technology & Features
The Jimny has always prioritised simplicity, but the 2025 5-Door introduces tech that modern buyers expect.
Highlights include:
7-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen infotainment with smartphone integration
Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and navigation
Reverse camera with parking sensors
Keyless entry and push-button start
Climate control upgrades
Available off-road monitoring display showing pitch, roll, and wheel engagement
While it’s not as tech-heavy as premium SUVs, the Jimny 5-Door strikes a smart balance between ruggedness and connectivity.
Safety Features
Safety has long been a sticking point for the Jimny. With its lightweight build and narrow stance, earlier versions scored modestly in crash tests. The 2025 5-Door addresses this with improvements:
Six airbags (front, side, curtain)
Stability control and traction control
Hill hold and hill descent control
ISOFIX mounts for child seats
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) package, including:
Lane departure warning
Forward collision alert with autonomous emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control (available on higher trims)
These upgrades aim to give families more confidence, especially with the 5-Door’s family-friendly positioning.
Engine and Performance
Under the bonnet, the 2025 Jimny 5-Door continues with Suzuki’s tried-and-tested 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
Power: ~77kW
Torque: 134Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Drive: Part-time 4x4 with low-range transfer case
While those numbers may sound modest compared to larger SUVs, the Jimny’s lightweight body means it still feels sprightly around town. On the highway, however, acceleration can feel sluggish, especially with a full load of passengers and gear.
Where it truly shines is off-road capability:
Ladder-frame chassis
High ground clearance
Rigid axle suspension
Low-range gearbox for serious off-roading
The longer wheelbase does affect breakover clearance slightly, but Suzuki engineers have worked to ensure the 5-Door remains just as adventurous as its smaller sibling. For weekend trail driving, beach runs, and outback tracks, it’s a serious contender.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel economy is another selling point. The 1.5-litre petrol engine, combined with lightweight construction, delivers around 6.4–6.9L/100km depending on the transmission.
For Australians who need a budget-friendly off-roader, the Jimny’s efficiency makes it more practical to own compared to thirstier 4x4s like the Toyota LandCruiser or Jeep Wrangler.
Driving Experience – City vs Off-Road
Around Town
The Jimny 5-Door is surprisingly easy to live with in urban environments. Its compact footprint makes it easy to park in tight spots, and visibility is excellent thanks to the upright driving position. The steering feels light at low speeds, though highway cruising reveals some wind noise and engine strain at higher revs.
On the Open Road
At 110km/h on Australian highways, the Jimny isn’t the quietest or fastest. Passing maneuvers require planning, and the automatic gearbox feels dated compared to CVT or dual-clutch systems in rivals. Still, for steady cruising, it’s perfectly manageable.
Off the Beaten Track
This is where the Jimny earns its reputation. Engage low-range 4x4, and it will happily tackle muddy tracks, rocky inclines, and sand dunes that many crossovers dare not attempt. The lightweight frame often means it can float over soft sand where heavier SUVs bog down.
Pricing and Variants in Australia
Suzuki is expected to position the 5-Door Jimny slightly above the current 3-Door. Indicative pricing suggests it could start around $36,000–$40,000 drive-away, depending on trim and transmission.
Variants likely include:
Base model: manual gearbox, essential features
Mid-spec: added tech and comfort features
Top trim: automatic transmission, ADAS package, infotainment upgrades
This places the Jimny as one of the most affordable true 4x4 vehicles in Australia, undercutting larger rivals by tens of thousands of dollars.
Rivals and Competitors
The Jimny 5-Door sits in a unique position in the Australian market. Few vehicles combine compact size, true off-road ability, and budget pricing. Its main competitors include:
Jeep Renegade: more premium, but less capable off-road
Mahindra Thar (if launched in Australia): another budget 4x4 with retro looks
Suzuki Vitara AllGrip: larger, but less rugged
Toyota Corolla Cross AWD: more refined, but not a serious off-roader
Ultimately, the Jimny 5-Door offers something very few vehicles do – genuine off-road performance in a small, affordable package.
Ownership, Warranty, and Running Costs
Suzuki offers a 5-year/unlimited km warranty in Australia, along with capped-price servicing options. Running costs are relatively low thanks to:
Affordable parts availability
Fuel-efficient petrol engine
Lightweight build reducing tyre and brake wear
Insurance premiums also tend to be lower than larger off-road SUVs, appealing to younger buyers or families seeking affordable adventures.
Who Should Buy the 2025 Jimny 5-Door?
The Jimny 5-Door is not a one-size-fits-all SUV. It’s perfect for certain buyers and less ideal for others.
Ideal For:
Adventure seekers wanting an affordable, capable off-roader
Young families needing extra space without losing 4x4 fun
City drivers who occasionally head bush or to the beach
Buyers looking for a character-filled alternative to mainstream crossovers
Less Ideal For:
Long-distance highway commuters
Drivers who need high towing capacity (rated only around 1,300kg)
Buyers expecting premium cabin materials and luxury features
Verdict – Why the Jimny 5-Door Matters
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny 5-Door takes everything Australians already loved about the Jimny and makes it more practical. While it won’t outgun bigger 4x4s in power or comfort, it delivers unbeatable value for money, charming design, and genuine off-road prowess in a segment where most SUVs are only “soft-roaders.”
For Aussies looking for a second family car, a weekend adventurer, or a compact 4x4 that can go anywhere, the Jimny 5-Door finally answers the call.
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