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Review
2025 Suzuki Jimny XL review
For years the calls rang out for Suzuki to introduce a five-door version of its popular Jimny 4x4 wagon. In 2023 the call was heeded and the Jimny XL rolled out. How does it compare to the iconic three-door version?
With a longer wheelbase, body and two more doors than the standard Suzuki Jimny, the XL offers more rear seat cabin space and more luggage room. Otherwise, the way the driving experience compares to the standard three-door Jimny is pretty familiar.
And that’s not all good news. As cute and loved as the Suzuki Jimny is, it’s a specialised vehicle with a skill set not applicable to most car buyers.
On this page
- How much does a Suzuki Jimny XL cost?
- Suzuki Jimny XL exterior design
- What is the Suzuki Jimny XL like inside?
- Is the Suzuki Jimny XL good to drive?
- What is the Suzuki Jimny XL like off-road?
- What safety features does the Suzuki Jimny XL have?
- How does the Suzuki Jimny XL compare?
- Should I buy a Suzuki Jimny XL?
The Suzuki Jimny XL is a specialised vehicle with a skill set not applicable to most buyers.
How much does a Suzuki Jimny XL cost?
Priced from $34,990 plus on-road costs, the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL is the flagship model in Australia’s most affordable 4x4 line-up. Excluding limited editions such as the recent Jimny Heritage XL, it is the sole five-door long Suzuki Jimny in the range.
There are also two three-door Suzuki Jimnys priced at $30,490 for the Lite and $33,490 for the GLX (all pricing plus ORCs).
All Jimny models get the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, part-time dual-range 4x4 system and four seats.
Our Suzuki Jimny XL came with an optional four-speed automatic transmission adding $1,500 to the price. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard.
Understandably considering the price, it’s not a long standard equipment list attached to the Suzuki Jimny XL. Exclusive features above the three-door models include a nine-inch (up from seven-inch) infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, a tinny four speaker stereo and adaptive cruise control (but only in the auto).
Features it shares with the three-door Jimnys include single-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth seat trim, Bluetooth, one USB-A port, power windows with driver auto up and down and privacy glass.
One thing to note: embedded satellite-navigation is deleted in the transition from the three-door. Happily, the Jimny XL has a full-size spare tyre hanging off the side-opening tailgate.
The Suzuki Jimny is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty, up to five years roadside assistance and 12 month/15,000km service intervals. A set price servicing schedule is on offer.
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL is the flagship model in Australia’s most affordable 4x4 line-up.
Suzuki Jimny XL exterior design
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny is a small and utilitarian box on wheels. Its distinctive looks are a key reason it has such a loyal and significant following.
The Jimny XL is a slightly longer box on wheels than the three-door. It measures up at 3985mm long from front bumper to spare wheel cover, stretching it 340mm further than the three-door.
Its wheelbase is 2590mm, versus 2250mm for the three-door. But all Jimnys are 1645mm wide and 1720mm high.
The Suzuki Jimny XL rolls on 15-inch alloy wheels, has LED projector headlights and its own metallic grille with chrome accents.
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL is a small and utilitarian box on wheels.
What is the Suzuki Jimny XL like inside?
The Indian-assembled 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL continues the utilitarian theme inside. It’s squared off and minimalist like Land Rovers used to be before they went all luxury and leather.
The driver grasps a steering wheel that only adjust for rake, the front seats are flat and don’t adjust for height.
The presentation of controls is a bit scattergun. For instance, the front and rear power window adjusters are located in different places in the centre console.
Many infotainment operations are made by tapping into the touchscreen rather than the preferable method of operating physical knobs and dials. At least there’s a volume dial on the steering wheel and the climate control has nice big controls.
Storage is pretty inconsequential in the Suzuki Jimny XL. You could just about slide an envelope into the door pockets and there is no centre console.
Cabin trim materials are uniformly hard. You have to be careful turning the steering wheel to avoid making painful contact between your elbow and the door armrest.
The speedo dial runs all the way to 180km/h, which is amusing given the Jimny's underwhelming performance.
Despite the extra length, knee and elbow room is still tight in the backseat of the Jimny XL or taller passengers. Headroom is okay. Features are minimalist, extending to map pockets and two cupholders which you can fight for possession of with the front seat passengers.
A bigger boot than the three-door Jimny is one of the XL’s advantages. It measures up at 211 litres versus a paltry 85 litres for the three-door. You can fit some shopping in here or one suitcase maybe. Folding the seats down – there is a lip and they sit angled – and capacity grows to as much as 1113 litres, Suzuki says.
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL continues the utilitarian theme inside.
Is the Suzuki Jimny XL good to drive?
We’ve already hinted at one driving trait of the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL. It’s pretty slow - and that's not surprising.
The Jimny's small engine has no electrified or turbocharging assistance and has the task of hauling 1200kg before adding passengers or luggage. It tries hard and it does so without losing all manners. But the Jimny's engine does get noisier and noisier as it is revved, with 100km/h coming up at a loud 3000rpm. Add in wind noise and gear meshing whines, and the Jimny delivers a noisy driving experience.
Understandably considering the Jimny's price, noise dampening has not been a priority. The Jimny really needs at least one more gear to help take the edge off, while a proper manual mode would be handy too and help make the most of the engine's modest output.
On test our Suzuki Jimny came out at a fuel economy average of just over 7L/100km, which is excellent for this type of vehicle. But we’ve heard and read about much higher figures when vehicles spend more time off-road and laden.
Fuel consumption would increase if you towed with the Jimny. Yes, the Jimny XL is rated at 1300kg (towing capacity) braked. It’s a piddling amount, but even this weight would be a big challenge for this car.
Being so small and with quick – if vague – steering, the Jimny XL is nimble on the road. It also has a decent turning 11.4m turning circle. Add in big windows and big mirrors and the Jimny is a zippy city and suburban car.
But it sits on pretty basic underpinnings – a ladder frame and rigid axles front and rear – that are designed to aid off-road progress. On-road that means bumps can unsettle it, especially mid-corner.
Having said that, the Suzuki Jimny's ride quality is not obnoxious. The extra bit of wheelbase has smoothed things out somewhat.
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL is Australia’s cheapest and smallest true off-roader.
What is the Suzuki Jimny like off-road?
As Australia’s cheapest and smallest true off-roader, expectations of the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL might be pretty minimal.
But it puts up a pretty good effort all things considered. Thanks to low range, electronic traction control that brakes individual spinning wheels, hill descent control, short overhangs and 210mm ground clearance, our Jimny test car progressed over some pretty gnarly terrain.
Its minimal size even makes it preferable to its bigger lumbering fellow 4x4 travellers in the tighter stuff, say when you’re picking your way between tight clumps of trees.
But the reality is it eventually runs out of the engine power and suspension travel required to keep it gripping and moving.
Lessen the challenge, say with 4x4 engaged on a gravel road or beach, then it’s a more convincing little jigger.
What safety features does the Suzuki Jimny XL have?
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL does not have an ANCAP safety rating. The three-door has a three-star rating that dates all the way back to 2018.
The safety equipment suite includes six airbags including curtains that cover row two, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL does not have an ANCAP safety rating.
How does the Suzuki Jimny XL compare?
There are simply no direct competitors for the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL. Nothing is as small or cheap that also retains real off-road ability.
The Mahindra Scorpio is bigger but not much more expensive at $41,990 drive-away for the Z8, while the GWM Tank 300 starts from $46,990 drive-away.
Should I buy a Suzuki Jimny XL?
Despite its popularity, the Suzuki Jimny is not an appropriate choice for most new car buyers.
Sure, it looks cool in a very boxy way, but it’s too small for most people, drives without much to recommend it on-road, has limited equipment and questionable safety credentials.
And yes, it’s the most affordable competent 4x4 on the market, but few people really need that capability. Most potential buyers would be better off with an orthodox small car like a Suzuki Swift Hybrid or Vitara SUV.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
