For nearly 54 years, devotees of the Suzuki Jimny have been drawn to its peerless combination of relative affordability, larger-than-life off-road skills, and endearing Tonka-toy looks.

If you are looking for an off-roader that can take you anywhere and still have something left in your budget to indulge in other things, then the Jimny is the perfect ride for you.

Last year, Suzuki made waves with the premiere of a five-door version of the Jimny and the automotive market has been buzzing with excitement ever since.

The longer five-door Jimny is more practical yet still among the least expensive off-roaders available in the market today, allowing its owners to take advantage of everything the great outdoors has to offer while getting the best value for money.

While the P1.558 million Jimny 5DR GL MT (manual transmission) may be a preferable choice to start one's off-roading adventures, buyers should also consider the two automatic variants offered: The Jimny 5DR GLX AT at P1.698 million and the two-tone Jimny 5DR GLX AT at P1.708 million.

"The Jimny, deeply rooted in a rich heritage, stands as a testament to Suzuki's commitment to excellence. Its popularity is not just a testament to its past glory but a promise of exciting journeys ahead," said Suzuki Philippines president Koichiro Hirao.

He expressed excitement in the new evolution of a beloved icon, adding that the "Jimny has become a symbol of adventure and innovation for Filipinos."

The grand launch last week was held at the Cove Manila (within the Okada Manila complex) in Parañaque City.

Kei car segment

The first generation Jimny debuted in March 1970, and became the first produced 4×4 in the Japanese "kei car" segment (in Japan, kei means the smallest, expressway-legal motor vehicles). Four generations later, the Jimny retained its three-door configuration, that is until Suzuki debuted the five-door version last year.