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.

Appearance-wise, the five-door Jimny remains unchanged with its signature round headlamps and iconic five-slot grille with chrome accents.

Suzuki seamlessly incorporated the five-door version into all the practical and functional design elements of the Jimny: The square body that conveys strength and solidity; the upright A-pillars and flat clamshell bonnet that improve visibility of the driver (especially during off-roading); and the dipped lines of the driver and passenger windows that help provide a broader perspective of surroundings and reduce blind spots.

Like the three-door version, the five-door Jimny is 1.645 meters wide and 1.72m tall. But as one would expect, the addition of two rear doors has increased the overall length by 170 mm (3.82m long versus the 3-door Jimny's 3.65ms).

With the extra length, the five-door Jimny benefits from a longer wheelbase (2.59m vs the 3-door variant's 2.25m) that significantly improved the legroom for those seated at the rear.

The five-door Jimny's extended wheelbase has also resulted in a much bigger trunk area. Although the luggage box from the three-door variant has been removed, the lowered floor height and increased depth of the five-door variant's trunk area now offer a spacious 211-liter capacity (with the rear seatback still raised).

AllGrip Pro 4WD

The five-door Jimny is equipped with the same powerful 1.5-liter gasoline engine that is tuned for off-roading adventures (maximum 100 horsepower and 130Nm to torque).

With a 340 mm longer wheelbase, the five-door Jimny retains its off-roading power, thanks to the AllGrip Pro 4WD system with low-range transfer gear. Complementing this 4WD system is the five-door Jimny's high-rigidity ladder frame, exceptional approach, ramp breakover and departure angles; as well as 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil spring.

The AllGrip Pro 4WD system is equipped with a low-range transfer gear that delivers maximum traction and torque when negotiating soft, sandy or muddy surfaces as well as steep or rocky terrain. When switched to a high-range transfer gear, the AllGrip Pro 4WD system becomes a reliable ally when driving on gravel and dirt trails.

"The Jimny, whether the three-door and the newly launched five-door versions, is a lightweight, compact, authentic off-road vehicle capable of conquering diverse terrains. Get ready for an incredible journey and experience the beauty of places yet undiscovered that nobody but the Jimny can bring you," promised Norihide Takei, the director and general manager for Automobile Division of Suzuki Philippines.

Less distractions inside

The interior of the five-door Jimny is meticulously designed to balance aesthetics and functionality. The sleek black interior avoids unnecessary colors or decorations to minimize glare and other distractions, allowing the driver to focus on navigating the vehicle. Horizontal lines on the instrument panel and vertical lines in the meter cluster and center console panels assist the driver in gauging the vehicle's angle, especially in rough or mountainous terrains.

Most of the interior enhancements were done at the rear as the seats now feature thicker seat cushions to provide better seating posture and comfort for two adults.

Safety is paramount in the automatic versions of the five-door Jimny (GLX) as they are both equipped with SRS front airbags for both the driver and front passenger, as well as side airbag and curtain airbags for occupants in both the front and rear seats. Additionally, all the three variants are equipped with a reverse parking camera and sensors that enhance overall safety awareness.

The new five-door Jimny offers monotone color options for the GL and GLX variants, including Jungle Green, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Arctic White Pearl, and Granite Gray Metallic. The GLX Two-Tone variant, on the other hand, is available in Sizzling Red Metallic/Bluish Black Pearl and Chiffon Ivory Metallic/Bluish Black Pearl.

The new five-door Jimny is now available at all Suzuki Auto Dealerships nationwide. For more information, check out any authorized Suzuki Auto dealerships or visit http://suzuki.com.ph/auto/. For daily updates on Suzuki, like Suzuki Auto PH's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH, or follow them on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/ SuzukiAutoPH and Instagram at @suzukiautoph.