Suzuki Philippines Incorporated launched the highly-anticipated Jimny 5-door just recently. And it did not take too long for the Japanese carmaker’s local arm to put the larger, more spacious iteration of its go-anywhere sport utility vehicle (SUV) through its paces.

Zigwheels Philippines got to drive the Suzuki Jimny 5-door in a two-day media test drive staged by the brand. So, does slapping an off-roader more doors mean more fun? Here’s what we found out.

Better experience for passengers

Bumper to bumper, the Suzuki Jimny 5-door (compared to the original 3-door model) grew longer by 340 millimeters (mm). Similarly, the wheelbase of the 5-door model grew in length, also by 340mm.

That growth translated to roomier second-row seating — as the Suzuki Jimny 5-door offers better legroom — and a more comfortable riding experience, since the gap between the front and rear wheels are now farther away from each other. On that note, going over bumps and passing through potholes feel less jittery.

Increasing the cushions for the second-row bench also ensured a more comfortable ride for those occupying the said seats. According to Suzuki Philippines Incorporated, it was done to allow the rear passengers to enjoy the same level of comfort as those sitting at the front — and they’re not wrong.

Sitting at the back of the Suzuki Jimny 5-door felt surprisingly comfortable, and mind you it was no short trip. The event took participants from its dealership in Kalookan to Zambales, so we got our fair share of smooth expressways, uphill and downhills, twisting road sections, and narrow thoroughfares.

And probably as a testament to the said comfortable riding experience, I was able to work on my writing while riding at the back of the Suzuki Jimny 5-door.

Other notable observations during my time as a second-row passenger include the adjustable backrest (which can be moved in two positions) of the seats as well as the increased height of the cushions — so you’d also get to see the same scenic view the front-row occupants enjoy.

My only gripe is that there were no charging ports at the back and operating the power windows requires one to lean forward to reach the center console.

Maintained performance

The Suzuki Jimny 3-door enjoyed impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles due to its small size. So, it is understandable if any car buyer expresses concerns if the longer body of the Jimny 5-door might affect the said features.

Good thing it didn’t.

Part of the itinerary for the media test drive was to take a short break at the breathtaking Lake Mapanuepe. In contrast to the stunning location, the roads that led us there were somewhat barren.

As if we were transported to the movie Mad Max, the lahar-laden land that hid the famous glamping spot was full of loose volcanic sand, slightly steep foothills, narrow descents, and several bodies of water.

The good ground clearance and the adequate underside angles of the Suzuki Jimny 5-door proved that it could handle the challenges the off-road terrain had to throw at us.

Another question most critics throw at the Suzuki Jimny 5-door is if the increased weight somehow stifled the power of the go-anywhere vehicle as the five-door variant shares the same K15B powerplant as the three-door Jimny.

The 1.5-liter gasoline engine, mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox — or in the case of what I was driving — a four-speed automatic transmission, showed that it can make easy work of the off-road course. Power distribution across was satisfactory, especially with all four wheels (with stock tires) working to conquer the desolate terrain.

Improved cargo capacity

Off-roading and camping, which is what the Suzuki Jimny 5-door was made for, requires one to bring equipment — be it for carrying cooking items, foodstuffs, shelter, or other gear.

The larger cargo space offered by the Suzuki Jimny 5-door is perfect for loading essentials one might need for an overnight outdoor trip. We did not pack tents, camping chairs, or cooking gear, but the boot area easily accommodated bags for three persons.

Further, the longer roof of the Suzuki Jimny 5-door could cater to racks, awnings, and roof tents that are bigger than what one might fit with the smaller three-door variant.

Some pros and cons

While there Suzuki Jimny 5-door obviously showed improvements, there are also some possible downsides to choosing the off-road SUV. Here are a few.

Pros:

• Better handling
• More comfortable ride
• Improved cargo space
• Maintained performance
• Family-friendly
• Good infotainment system

Cons:

• Second-row charging ports would be appreciated
• Lacks bottle holders
• Clinometer not available

I would have loved to see a clinometer in the Suzuki Jimny 5-door since it was a feature available for the three-door variant.

The trade off is a crisp and responsive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Conclusion

To answer our question, yes, having more doors made the Suzuki Jimny a more fun ride. It can now comfortably accommodate more passengers and carry more luggage for convenient camping and off-road trips.

The Suzuki Jimny 5-door is available in three variants, namely GL MT, GLX AT, and GLX AT Two Tone. It is priced from P1.558 million to P1.708 million.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

Also read:

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