With literally millions of dedicated Suzuki Jimny owners in the world, it’s fair to say that in a world of cookie-cutter SUVs, this tough cookie that stands out! At Thorp Cape Town we know that the Suzuki Jimny in South Africa is a peppy, robust and compact SUV that punches far above its weight. However, with the recent introduction of the much anticipated 5-door Jimny, you might well be wondering which Jimny is right for you.
In this blog post we’re going to take a close look at the Jimny’s unique design, off-road prowess, practicality, and overall versatility. We’ll compare the 3-door and 5-door model Suzuki Jimny specs to help you decide which one is perfect for you.
Distinctive Design
Both the 3-door and 5-door Jimny sports a bold, retro-inspired design that still turns heads. Its compact dimensions make it a breeze to manoeuvre through tight city streets and congested parking lots. Rugged features like high ground clearance and short overhangs enhance its much-lauded off-road capabilities.
Design & Size:
The compact and agile 3-door comes in at 3,650mm (length) x 1,645mm (width) x 1,725mm (height). It sports a 2,250mm wheelbase. The bigger and more spacious 5-door is 3,985mm long, 1,645mm wide and 1,720mm high. At 2,590mm, its wheelbase is 340mm longer than the 3-door’s, which accounts for its more spacious interior.
Key Points:
- Iconic boxy shape with round headlights and square wheel arches
- The 5-door model adds two extra doors for easier access to the rear seats, power-folding mirrors and nifty chrome accents.
- Both models also offer generous ground clearance of between 210 and 225mm, depending on the model and trim level.
Impressive Off-Road Performance
Never let the Jimny’s compact size fool you – it’s a true off-road warrior! And, to answer the question, is the Suzuki Jimny a 4×4? Yes, both the 3-door and 5-door Jimny have a capable 4WD system with a low-range transfer case.
They also share the same robust 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers an impressive 101 horsepower. Thanks to its lightweight body design, the Jimny offers agile and nimble handling on- and off-road.
Both models take rough terrains, muddy paths, steep inclines and rocky roads in their confident stride. The 3-door model may be slightly more agile due to its shorter wheelbase, whilst the 5-door model offers a bit more stability on the road due to its longer wheelbase.
Practical Interior for Urban Living
Step inside and you’ll find that the Suzuki Jimny interior is both practical, durable and comfortable. The 5-door model offers a bit more legroom for rear seat passengers, but both models provide you with a functional space for daily commutes and trips. The infotainment system offers essential features like a touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and climate control.
When it comes to cargo space, both models offer adequate storage capacity. The 5-door model takes the lead with its extended length and a boot space of 211 litres that increases to 337 litres with the rear seats folded down. The 3-door’s boot space is 332 litres with the rear seats folded down. And, yes, this answers the question – do the Suzuki Jimny’s rear seats fold flat?
Versatility for Every Journey
The Jimny’s true strength lies in its agility and versatility. Both the 3-door and 5-door models are equally adept at navigating city streets and exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations, so both models are perfect for city driving and off-road adventures.
The 3-door model’s compact size makes it ideal for urban navigation and parking in restricted spaces. Both models share impressive off-road capabilities. The 5-door model’s additional space makes it more practical for passengers and cargo.
Key Points:
- 3-Door: Being smaller makes this Jimny slightly more manoeuvrable and ideal for solo adventurers or couples.
- 5-door: Being the larger of the two, it’s more comfortable for passengers. Also, having more cargo space and a bit more legroom makes it better for families or groups.
Affordability and Value
In addition to their impressive capabilities, both Jimny models offer exceptional value for money at our competitive Suzuki Jimny prices and their fuel-efficient engines. Some of the key points to consider before buying your Jimny is that the 3-door offers you a more budget-friendly option, with our prices at Thorp starting off at R399,900.
Being larger, with additional space and practicality, the Jimny 5-door is a bit more expensive, with our new Suzuki Jimny 5-door starting at just R427,900, inclusive of VAT. Both models’ excellent value for money is reinforced by their low running costs. These include an impressive Suzuki Jimny fuel consumption figure of just 6.3 – 6.8l/100km.
And last but not least for your peace of mind – all our new Jimny vehicles are backed by our free 10-year, 1 million km warranty exclusive to Thorp!
In conclusion, we must stress that the iconic Suzuki Jimny, (3-door or 5-door), really is a unique SUV. It delivers a winning combination of iconic design, off-road performance, power, practicality, and solid value for money.
The 3-door is perfect for owners wanting a more affordable option without losing one iota of punch, pep and performance. The roomier 5-door model brings you all the rugged Jimny qualities, plus added space for passengers and cargo.
Are you already starting to fall under the spell of the Jimny? Do you want to experience its magic firsthand? Contact us at Thorp Suzuki today to schedule a test drive, or pop into one of our Cape Town dealerships in the Western Cape to meet the Jimny for yourself!
You’ll find us at Suzuki Table View and Suzuki N1 City. At Thorp, we simply love the Jimny, and we look forward to helping you find a trusty Jimny of your own!
