The Suzuki Jimny XL: Dream SUV or Disaster? Your answer hinges entirely on what you demand from a compact SUV. This quirky contender could be your ultimate off-road companion or a spectacularly impractical daily driver.
Forget the crossover crowd. If you crave a genuine off-road experience in a compact package, this little beast stands alone. We’re talking old-school ruggedness: a proper ladder frame, rock-crawling low-range, and a fanbase that rivals a rock concert. Plus, the aftermarket support? You could practically rebuild it from scratch with aftermarket parts!
Forget manicured lawns and pristine pavements. While others tiptoe off-road, this compact SUV laughs in the face of gravel, mud, and anything else you throw its way. Yes, rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek and the fresh-faced Renault Duster dabble in the dirt, but when the going gets truly tough, this is the undisputed king of the small SUV jungle.
Forget conquering mountains for a moment. The real question is: Can the new, stretched-out Suzuki Jimny XL – the five-door sibling of the legendary three-door – survive the daily grind? Is this longer Jimny just as happy navigating rush hour as it is rock crawling?
The Jimny’s charm is undeniable. Its boxy silhouette and scaled-down dimensions – barely longer than a family sedan with the spare tire included – make it irresistibly cute. So cute, in fact, that some buy it purely for its head-turning looks, off-road intentions be damned.
Watch: Paul’s video review of the Suzuki Jimny XL
But can this mountain goatreallyhandle the asphalt jungle? Before we dive in, a quick note: whispers surround a recent, unexplained pause in Jimny XL sales… intriguing, isn’t it?
Suzuki’s Indian Jimny XL dream hit a snag! Mid-July saw the order books slammed shut, leaving hopeful owners in the lurch. Deliveries stalled, and Suzuki offered refunds, a clear signal of bumpy roads ahead for the much-anticipated SUV.
Suzuki customers were left in the dark after a mysterious stop-sale order grounded vehicles nationwide. Neither Suzuki Australia nor Suzuki Queensland offered any insights, claiming Suzuki Motor Corporation remained tight-lipped about the cause. Just as suddenly as it began, the sales ban lifted in August, leaving unanswered questions swirling in its wake. The cryptic silence only fueled speculation, with consumers scratching their heads, wondering what exactly had triggered the initial panic.
Even for Suzuki, a brand synonymous with steadfast reliability, the veil of secrecy emanating from their Japanese headquarters felt unsettlingly bizarre.
How much does the Suzuki Jimny XL cost?
The Jimny XL is available in a single trim level, but with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
| Model | Price before on-road costs | | — | — | | 2026 Suzuki Jimny XL manual | $34,990 | | 2026 Suzuki Jimny XL auto | $37,490 |
The iconic three-door Jimny just got a budget-friendlier makeover! But hold on – a safety tech boost is coming in early 2026. Can’t wait? Some dealerships still have the current model ready for adventurenow.
To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use ourcomparison tool
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What is the Suzuki Jimny XL like on the inside?
Almost everything in the Jimny XL’s cabin feels hard and hardy.
Its design screams function over fashion. Aside from the seats, clad in humble cloth, every surface feels built to withstand a nuclear winter, not coddle delicate sensibilities.
The door cards are offensively basic. Thin as wafers, and devoid of mirror or window controls, theylooklike you could pop them off, Jeep Wrangler-style, for an open-air experience. Don’t get your hopes up. They’re stubbornly, disappointingly, fixed.
Tucked away on the right of the steering wheel, below a stealthy row of lane departure and forward collision warning deactivation switches, you’ll find the controls for adjusting your side mirrors.
Forget fumbling on the door. This car throws convention out the window literally. The window controls are bizarrely perched on the center stack, playing house with what appears to be a trio of retro rotary dials. But don’t be fooled! Only the outer two are the real deal. The center dial? It’s a screen in disguise, a frustratingly deceptive doppelganger amidst the functional knobs.
Dominating the dashboard is a prominent 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, your portal to wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. While functional, the system lacks the intuitive finesse found in rival vehicles.
Nestled behind the wheel, the instrument cluster throws you a curveball. Two tangerine-lit analogue gauges stand guard on either side of a stark, grayscale screen – a distinctly retro vibe. Then, BAM! An autonomous emergency braking warning flares to life, a jarring reminder that you’re not cruising in a DeLorean, but hurtling through 2025.
Reaching for your coffee in the Jimny XL shouldn’t feel like an Olympic sport, yet the awkwardly placed cupholders demand a flexibility usually reserved for gymnasts. Tucked away behind the 4WD lever, they’re less "convenient hydration station" and more "hunt-and-peck beverage retrieval." And forget about stashing a water bottle in those ridiculously slim door pockets – unless, of course, you enjoy watching it launch into the footwell at the first turn.
"Cramped quarters? Think again. Even with two six-footers in tow, this deceptively small car offers surprising legroom and headroom, ensuring a comfortable ride for all."
The bench seat is relentlessly flat, offering zero in the way of pampering. Forget armrests, USB charging, or even a whisper of air conditioning. On the upside, kiddie-carers rejoice: top-tether and ISOFIX points are present and accounted for.
Swing open the side-hinged tailgate and you’re met with 211 liters of cargo capacity – enough for a weekend getaway, but hardly cavernous. Sadly, the rear seats don’t quite fold flat, leaving a slight incline for your gear.
| Dimensions | Suzuki Jimny XL | | — | — | | Length | 3965mm | | Width | 1645mm | | Height | 1725mm | | Wheelbase | 2590mm | | Cargo capacity | 211L (rear seats up) to 332L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use ourcomparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Beneath the Jimny and Jimny XL’s rugged exterior beats a single, steadfast heart – a purely combustion engine, untainted by electrification or forced induction. Forget hybrid whispers and turbocharger screams; this is old-school simplicity at its finest.
| Specifications | Suzuki Jimny XL | | — | — | |Engine| 1.5L 4cyl petrol | |Power| 75kW | |Torque| 130Nm | |Transmission| 4-speed auto | |Drive type| Part-time four-wheel drive | |Fuel economy (claimed)| 6.9L/100km | |Fuel economy (as tested)| 9.5L/100km (over the course of a week) 8L/100km (inner-city, suburban and highway loop) | |CO2 emissions (claimed)| 161g/km | |Fuel tank| 40L | |Weight| 1200kg | |Braked towing capacity| 1300kg | |Gross vehicle mass (GVM)| 1545kg |
To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use ourcomparison tool
How does the Suzuki Jimny XL drive?
A week with the Jimny XL? Going in, I braced myself for disappointment. But somewhere between navigating city streets and tackling backroads, the darn thing charmed me. Call it an unexpected crush on a quirky box, but the Jimny XL won me over.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: this car’s acceleration won’t win any drag races. Under the hood lies a modest 1.5-liter four-cylinder, breathing without the aid of a turbo, paired with a somewhat antiquated four-speed automatic.
Forget neck-snapping acceleration; this car’s got more of a gentle suggestion of forward motion. City driving? Manageable. But merging onto the highway feels like asking a tired tortoise to win a sprint. Each on-ramp becomes a white-knuckle gamble against oncoming traffic.
The engine note is less than inspiring. A chorus of high-pitched whines emanates from the four-cylinder under light to medium acceleration, a sonic annoyance that grates on the ears. Strangely, however, as the revs climb, the engine finds its voice, transforming from a whiny nuisance into something approaching a respectable growl.
Expect to wring its neck, especially when tackling uphill climbs, because "gutless" is an understatement. Just be prepared to watch your fuel economy plummet as you do.
Navigating a parking garage in the Jimny XL feels less like maneuvering a compact car and more like wrestling a reluctant rhinoceros. The steering, heavy and imprecise, transforms simple parking maneuvers into frustrating feats of strength. Out on the open road, that same vagueness translates to a disconcerting wander, demanding constant correction and eroding confidence at higher speeds. Forget secure freeway cruising; the Jimny XL prefers a more…adventurous definition of stability.
You may be wondering, then, how this pint-size off-roader grew on me.
After battling city traffic for days, I realized something surprising: this beast wasn’t a fish out of water in the urban jungle.
Forget bone-jarring expectations. This off-roader defies its rugged DNA with a surprisingly smooth ride. Sure, echoes of its body-on-frame construction whisper through the cabin – familiar rumbles and sensations for those accustomed to larger rigs. But these are mere reminders of its capability. The suspension gracefully swallows bumps, leaving you feeling more pampered explorer than jostled adventurer.
"Perhaps the stretched wheelbase lends a hand, but even with its old-school live axles front and rear, the ride is surprisingly smooth."
But be warned: its small size means you’ll feel every bump and groove in the road. And while tempting, resist the urge to carve corners like you’re in a sports car; that tall stance demands a touch more respect.
Surprisingly, even at highway speeds, the Jimny XL’s cabin remained relatively quiet. Forget deafening wind noise – just a gentle rustle around the roof racks. The engine’s subtle song and this soft whisper were the only auditory companions, a welcome change from the expected cacophony, especially considering the doors felt thinner than a paperback.
Highway hypnosis, meet adaptive cruise control. This feature is a welcome companion on long hauls, effortlessly maintaining speed and distance. However, don’t expect a full suite of driver aids. You’re on your own when it comes to staying between the lines; lane-keep assist and lane centering are noticeably absent. Blind-spot monitoring is also missing, but thankfully, the boxy design and upright windows offer a surprisingly clear view of your surroundings, mitigating the need for electronic eyes.
Dust billowed as I ventured off the beaten path, eager to test its mettle. The rear suspension protested with a resounding thud over the uneven terrain, but the steering – surprisingly precise and communicative – became my trusted accomplice. Engaging the low-range gearing was like unlocking a hidden reserve of grit, transforming the ride from a mere jaunt to a genuinely capable off-road experience.
The 4WD lever? A Jekyll and Hyde contraption. Engaging 2H feels like coaxing a stubborn mule, a resistant clunk. Disengaging, however, is a buttery-smooth surrender. This maddening inconsistency isn’t just annoying; it’s a puzzle demanding constant recalibration.
Forget intimidation, the Jimny XL’s horn is pure comedy gold. One tap and any road rage fantasy evaporates, replaced by a smile. It’s less "get out of my way" and more a cheerful "toot-toot!" – guaranteed to disarm even the grumpiest driver.
| Off-road dimensions | Suzuki Jimny XL | | — | — | | Track front and rear | 1395mm + 1405mm | | Ground clearance | 210mm (unladen) | | Approach angle | 36 degrees | | Departure angle | 47 degrees | | Ramp breakover angle | 24 degrees | | Wading depth | 800mm |
To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use ourcomparison tool
What do you get?
There’s just one trim level in the Jimny XL lineup.
2025 Suzuki Jimny XL equipment highlights:
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- 15-inch alloy spare
- Automatic projector LED headlights
- Front fog lights
- Hill hold assist
- Hill descent control
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- 4-speaker sound system
- Tilt-adjustable steering column
- Power windows
- Climate control
- Fabric upholstery
- 50:50 split/fold rear seats
- 2 x 12V outlets
To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use ourcomparison tool
Is the Suzuki Jimny XL safe?
The Suzuki Jimny XL: Adventure-ready, but safety-rated? Not so much. While the three-door Jimny earned a respectable three-star ANCAP rating back in 2019, that score is now ancient history. The longer XL version cruises untested, leaving its safety performance an open question mark.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control (with auto transmission only)
- Autonomous emergency braking (over 60km/h)
- Lane departure warning
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert aren’t available, even as an option.
To see how the Jimny XL stacks up against the competition, use ourcomparison tool
How much does the Suzuki Jimny XL cost to run?
The Suzuki Jimny XL is covered by the Japanese brand’s five year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
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| Servicing and Warranty | Suzuki Jimny XL | | — | — | | Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres | | Roadside assistance | Up to 5 years – service activated | | Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km | | Capped-price servicing | 5 years | | Total capped-price service cost | $2365 | | Average capped-price service cost | $473 |
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childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Suzuki Jimny XL
Look, I get it. The Jimny XL is a cute thing, and it’s a capable off-roader.
Vitara and Swift gone? A fleeting pang of sadness, then life goes on. But whisper the word "Jimny" and "discontinued" in the same breath, and a collective groan echoes across Australia. This isn’t just another car; it’s a pint-sized legend. Without its boxy charm and go-anywhere spirit, our roads would be undeniably duller. The Jimny’s not just a 4WD; it’s an icon, and losing it would leave a Jimny-sized hole in our hearts.
Imagine a tortoise that dreams it’s a hare. That’s this vehicle. It drinks fuel like a desert nomad finds water, yet it isn’t exactly asleep at the wheel. Think body-on-frame toughness meets surprisingly supple highway manners. The steering? Picture wrestling an alligator in a shopping mall – pure arm workout. But once you’re out of the concrete jungle, it becomes manageable, almost agreeable.
Sink into the cabin, and you’ll find a surprising oasis of space for four. The interior exudes a reassuring solidity, effectively muting the chaos of the outside world. While not groundbreaking, the infotainment system is perfectly adequate for your daily needs.
Trading asphalt for adventure? The Jimny XL begs for your consideration. While it handles surprisingly well, don’t expect it to be a city slicker. For urban jungles, nimbler SUVs offer a smoother ride. But when the pavement ends, the Jimny XL’s true spirit begins.
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