Suzuki Jimny XL 2024 review: Manual 5-door 4WD goes off-roading in new adventure test

This is the new 4WD that it seems the whole world has been waiting for: the 2024 Suzuki Jimny XL. Simply put, it's a five-door version of the iconic SUV's incredibly popular fourth-generation model. Needless to say, expectations are very high among fans of the plucky off-roader - and so they should be.
The Jimny XL formula is straight forward: take the three-door Jimny and stretch its wheelbase by 300mm to not only accomodate a pair of rear doors but also more boot space. Point being, the new Suzuki flagship is more practical than the model it's based upon, helping to expand its appeal to more buyers.
In this expert review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Marcus Craft gets behind the wheel of the five-speed manual variant of the new Jimny XL and puts it through its paces in an off-road torture test to find out if it's managed to maintain the charm of the original despite its supersizing.
#Suzuki #Jimny #Review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:20 Pricing and features
01:13 Design
01:42 Practicality
02:29 Under the bonnet
03:07 Driving
07:05 Efficiency
07:39 Safety
07:59 Ownership
08:20 Verdict
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Read Marcus's full review: bit.ly/42SvHjQ
Check out our Jimny hub: bit.ly/4aaAXCQ
Find more SUVs: bit.ly/3QVs1X1
Visit our Adventure Guide: bit.ly/3n6sBrP
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[@johnnyresistance]

Fun little nugget but come on Suzuki, give it the 103kw 230Nm swift sport engine!

[@dune7824]

Yeah I used to sing that tune but Suzuki don't listen anyway. That said while it's no race car at least it'll still do it's 110kph. Still faster than my old 4.2 N/A Troopie. Just got to turn up the music a bit to drown out the engine noise.

[@simonr23]

whoa, steady on there max Verstappen. Save some tyres for the rest of the world. 103kw. 230nm! you're having a laugh. this isn't the space shuttle!

[@hi9580]

165kw V6

[@salvador_mano4x4]

That cloud be nice, if isn't necessary to change so Many things in the car and be so costly

[@1214112]

Got myself Jimny manual last month for my daily ride of 30 to 40 km inside city, no regrets! High stance, good looks and returns wonderful mileage, completely satisfied!

[@KrAUSerMike]

MSRP $35k, actual selling price: $43k+.

[@outbackadventurefamily]

Just had our manual XL for over a week now and 1600km. What a fun car to drive, no powerhouse but torque feels good. Rear speakers garbage, fronts ok. averaging around 7.3L/100km mixed driving. more room inside then it looks. Quieter on the highway than I expected. At least potholes are no longer a problem compared to the Skoda Kamiq we just sold for this. Great fun car to drive but terrible value if you aren't going to 4wd this regularly. If it's a city runabout you are after there's loads better value and driving dynamics available for two thirds the price. We wanted small and rugged and there's no better choice.

[@ricglass5782]

how does the power pedal feel like compared to Skoda Kamiq?

[@outbackadventurefamily]

The Skoda was the 110TSI so definitely supercar feeling compared to the Jimmy, but it was off-road capability we wanted. The Jimny is going to take us across the Simpson desert, something the Kamiq couldn't dream of. lol@@ricglass5782

[@dune7824]

Can't wait to upgrade to the 5 door. I've crossed the Simpson Desert twice in my 3 door and the Hay River track but always did it solo. Will be able to take the family across in the 5 door.

[@mahi98goodguy]

I bought it in India 2 months back.... It's an awesome vehicle esp on our bad roads

[@tomy8339]

4 speed auto. The 1980's called. They want their transmission back. 😅

[@pv2870]

I've just put 1200km onto mine and the average fuel is 6.1L/100km. That's 2/3 highway and the rest on twisty backroads. Way less thirsty than I was expecting. Coming from a 90's Defender, the handling is amazing!

[@Autodevot]

I've one of these, and it's pure fun!

[@Anthony77739]

Wonder if the larger info screen can be retro fitted into the 3 door?

[@takeuchi0167]

1.4 turbo booster jet out of Vitara should be in this,uses 1/2 the fuel and way more bang for your $$$

[@diegoamestica4038]

Hi there, did you have a chance to test the automatic? Which one is better?

[@DiscoverAround]

I m using 5 door Jimny since last 3 months as my primary car. Quite distinct vehicle, grabbing attention on roads.

[@shankarbalan3813]

This is a perfect little analogue toy in this increasingly digital world. Probably the last of the lot. So I’d say it will become a collector’s item some day in the not too distant future. So buy it and play with it and have fun with it. It’s a little Zook after all. And the Japanese understand how to make high quality products in small packaging with good design. It’s a great little car. I own its grandfather the Gypsy, in India and love it to bits. But one day Grandpa will yield space to Grandson, that for sure.

[@user-qi7be3bv6j]

Nice

[@indeepeterhopwood8106]

Is it true some of the fluff like LDW can’t be switched off? Because that’s a hard no for me.

[@ivanvanderkamp]

Best car ever!

[@rhoelg]

Thinking whether to buy Honda HR-V Hybrid or this bad boy... roughly same price!

[@salvador_mano4x4]

Depends on what you need, a suv or a offroader?

[@curiositynz]

It’s 41k nz over here…imo far too much

[@stephentaege6255]

Should be at least a 2"0 litre engine in 5 door love to see longer wheel base 7 seater

[@user-zd1td1wb7s]

If Suzuki makes a larger 4wd (say tank 300 size) with a turbo diesel while keeping solid axles, it will sell like hot potatoes

[@salvador_mano4x4]

A diesel Suzuki will be very rare these days

[@palebeachbum]

Why do we not get cool little affordable vehicles like this in the U.S.???

[@SharkFishSF]

Very good question.

[@rhoelg]

Ford, GM lobbyist?

[@ADHDpr1de]

Chicken Tax! (No, seriously; look it up.)

[@lesklower7281]

I do like the Suzuki Jimny our son owns one l drove it once not much power l used to my 1997 Toyota Hilux much more torque and power with its 22R engine and my wifes Suzuki Baleno has a bit more power and torque than the Jimny but a 5 door Jimny more space lenhth ways

[@blakemiddleton4230]

Just bring back a 4x4 vitara.....

[@salvador_mano4x4]

This Jimny is a 90's vitara, With 30hp more, and front solid axle

[@alarcilam]

The auto XL requires less momentum offroad. Way easier.

[@arshavinchandra]

*_BAJINGUK, APIK TENAN. WERNO ABANG MBRANANG._*

[@MohammadKhan-nb5xl]

One think also need to be considered... 3dr jimny made in Japan , 5dr jimny made in india..

[@eddietuckerjr.2858]

Please bring these to the States!!!!!!!!!! Jeep Wranglers are obnoxiously overpriced, even used ones, and their quality control is garbage.

[@troothhertz6297]

Put twin turbo on that pissy engin

[@videowsatcher]

unsafe based on the 3 door crash test results, way underpowered which would mean it struggles through urban hills and mountains and it seems based on the test quite uncomfortable on the road. A used Pajero Sport or Isuzu MU-X instead.

[@eliaspap8708]

How the hell you meant to lug your young family plus all the gear and weight on an adventure with only 75kw 130Nm? Not happening.

[@salvador_mano4x4]

When people do travels in the old samurais With half the power and Torque, that was an illusion too?

[@eliaspap8708]

@@salvador_mano4x4 why put 4 doors on it, make it longer/ bigger but keep the same engine and gearbox? They are kidding us, that engine was never designed to take that extra weight, it’s just a marketing money grab to try milk the brand name with minimal expense.

[@eliaspap8708]

And people do travels on push bikes too, but what’s ur point?

[@salvador_mano4x4]

@@eliaspap8708 why put 4 Doors, and extra weight??? Really?? Didn't Suzuki done that the last 40 years With the samurai and vitara, now they done the same With the Jimny, and everybody starts a drama, i just don't understand Plus.... Didn't any other car, With 3 & 5 door configuration, share engines??? Then, why the most common thing ever IS so dramatic?

[@salvador_mano4x4]

@@eliaspap8708 push bikes cannot reach 160kmh

[@speckles1493]

Not coming to UK👎👎👎👎👎

[@Barra.The.World.]

STILL LACKING TECHNOLOGY ! COME ON JAPANESE DOMESTIC MARKET 😫

[@salvador_mano4x4]

It got the same as the japonese, except one thing, the central touchscreen is 2" bigger

[@truthbetold89]

I was in love with the jimny retro design and simplicity until i drove it. I quickly realized how overrated and miserably slow it was.

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

Never seen a ‘motoring expert’ sit so close to the steering wheel before. Lack of rearward movement in the seats or really short legs?

[@superwag634]

big belly

[@tonymillar5342]

Maximum control of steering wheel in a vehicle that needs plenty of driver input. Also, manual transmission so both feet are working overtime in the rough. #carsguide