2025 Suzuki Jimny XL: The automotive world has witnessed a remarkable renaissance of retro-inspired designs, but few vehicles capture the essence of nostalgic adventure quite like the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL.
This five-door iteration of Suzuki’s beloved compact off-roader represents a fascinating marriage between classic 1980s styling cues and contemporary automotive technology.
The XL doesn’t undermine the original Jimny’s charm but instead allows passengers to enjoy it more comfortably, creating a unique proposition in today’s increasingly homogenized SUV marketplace.
The Heritage Lives On: Retro Design Philosophy
The 2025 Jimny XL stands as a testament to Suzuki’s commitment to preserving automotive heritage while embracing modern practicality. Despite its flaws, the Jimny remains a charming antidote to the same-sameness of modern cars, and this philosophy extends beautifully to the XL variant.
The design language speaks directly to enthusiasts who remember when SUVs were genuinely utilitarian vehicles rather than lifestyle accessories.
Every exterior panel tells a story of purposeful design. The XL maintains the iconic boxy silhouette that made the original Jimny instantly recognizable, featuring a new chrome grille and adds a new red paint colour that enhances its visual appeal.
The round LED headlights, complete with washers for muddy terrain visibility, serve as modern interpretations of classic off-road lighting. Meanwhile, the flat sheet metal panels and upright windscreen create an unmistakably honest aesthetic that prioritizes function over frivolous styling flourishes.
The barn-door style tailgate with its full-size spare tire mounted externally serves both practical and aesthetic purposes.
This design choice immediately communicates the vehicle’s serious off-road intentions while harking back to an era when such features were considered essential rather than optional.
From the front or the rear it’s near impossible to tell what kind of Jimny you’re looking at, maintaining design consistency across the range.
Modern Utility Meets Classic Soul
While the exterior celebrates automotive history, the 2025 Jimny XL doesn’t shy away from incorporating contemporary conveniences that modern drivers expect. The interior represents a careful balance between retro aesthetics and functional modernity.
Suzuki has chased a rugged and retro feeling behind the wheel, and the Jimny delivers on both fronts, creating an environment that feels both familiar and refreshingly different from typical modern interiors.
The dashboard design exemplifies this philosophy perfectly. The instrument cluster has an incredibly cool 80’s fighter jet look to it with orange accents and retro styling, providing essential information through analog gauges that feel more engaging than digital displays.
This approach connects drivers to their vehicle in ways that touchscreen-dominated cabins often fail to achieve.
Technology integration has been thoughtfully implemented without overwhelming the retro atmosphere. The nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto provide modern connectivity while maintaining the utilitarian design language.
However, it’s worth noting that embedded satellite-navigation is deleted in the transition from the three-door, requiring smartphone connectivity for mapping services.
Dimensional Advantages: Space Where It Matters
The fundamental improvement that the XL brings to the Jimny formula lies in its dimensional enhancements. The Jimny 5-Door stretches to a length of 3985mm, 340mm more than the standard model, mirroring the increase in its ladder frame’s wheelbase, now at 2590mm.
This extension directly addresses the most significant limitation of the three-door model: practical passenger and cargo accommodation.
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. While 211 litres might seem modest by contemporary SUV standards, this represents a 148% increase in cargo capacity, transforming the vehicle from a weekend toy into a genuinely practical daily driver.
Folding the seats down and capacity grows to as much as 1113 litres, providing surprising versatility for longer journeys or equipment hauling.
The rear passenger accommodation receives equally significant improvements. At 5’11” there is plenty of space for me behind my drivers position, making the XL suitable for adult passengers rather than relegating rear seats to occasional use.
The addition of electric windows for the rear which roll down all the way enhances passenger comfort and ventilation, particularly important during hot weather off-road adventures.
Mechanical Foundation: Traditional Engineering Excellence
Beneath its charming exterior, the 2025 Jimny XL maintains the mechanical philosophy that has made the nameplate legendary among off-road enthusiasts. This Suzuki Jimny is powered by a 1.5L engine that has 75 kW of power (at 6000 rpm) and 130 Nm of torque (at 4000 rpm), connected to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
While these power figures might appear modest in an era of turbocharged performance, they serve the Jimny’s mission perfectly. With a naturally aspirated engine and a conventional four-speed automatic, the Jimny is a bit of a throwback, offering predictable power delivery that proves invaluable in challenging terrain.
The naturally aspirated configuration provides excellent throttle response and eliminates the complexity associated with forced induction systems.
The AllGrip Pro four-wheel-drive system represents the heart of the Jimny XL’s capability. This part-time system with dual-range transfer case provides the mechanical robustness that separates genuine off-road vehicles from crossover pretenders. Its robust axle setup, 9.8m turning circle, and bumper design make it far superior to vehicles like the Toyota Yaris Cross for rough terrain and mountain trails.
The system’s low-range gearing multiplies available torque, enabling the relatively modest engine to tackle severe gradients and challenging obstacles.
Off-Road Prowess: Where Heritage Meets Performance
The 2025 Jimny XL’s off-road capabilities represent the culmination of decades of engineering refinement. The Suzuki Jimny XL is designed to excel in off-road conditions, handling tricky obstacles without difficulty, maintaining the reputation that has made Jimnys legendary among serious off-road enthusiasts.
The ladder-frame chassis construction provides the structural integrity necessary for serious off-road work. Unlike unibody crossovers that prioritize on-road comfort, this traditional approach offers superior resistance to chassis flex during articulation.
Combined with solid axles front and rear, the XL maintains maximum wheel contact with uneven surfaces, optimizing traction in challenging conditions.
Ground clearance, approach angles, and departure angles have been carefully optimized to handle obstacles that would challenge much larger vehicles. The compact dimensions that some might consider limiting actually become significant advantages in tight trail situations where larger SUVs cannot navigate.
There’s not a lot of travel from the all coil-spring suspension meaning it picks up its wheels more readily than bigger 4x4s would over the same tracks, though modern electronic traction control helps manage these situations effectively.
Daily Driving Reality: Compromises and Character
Understanding the 2025 Jimny XL requires acknowledging that it prioritizes off-road capability over on-road refinement. 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. This honest assessment helps potential buyers understand exactly what they’re purchasing.
Highway performance reflects the vehicle’s utilitarian priorities. The engine is spinning at 3000rpm at 100km/h which is loud and annoying for extended highway cruising.
However, this characteristic becomes less significant when considering the Jimny XL’s intended mission as an adventure vehicle rather than a highway cruiser.
Urban driving presents a different picture entirely. Although it’s a bit gutless, the Jimny is fun to drive in the city. It’s tiny, so slim gaps and small carparks hold no fear.
The commanding driving position, excellent visibility, and compact dimensions make city navigation surprisingly enjoyable. It’s easy to see the corners of the bonnet, and the upright rear end doesn’t hide vehicles in your blind spot, providing confidence in tight urban environments.
Market Positioning: Value in Uniqueness
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL is an all-wheel drive, 5-door Wagon that was released to the Australian market on 5th December 2023 classified as a MY23, with prices starting at $34,990 before on-road costs. This positioning places it in a unique market segment where traditional competitors are scarce.
The pricing strategy reflects the Jimny XL’s specialized nature rather than attempting to compete directly with mainstream compact SUVs. The backlog of orders for the retro little Suzuki Jimny means that buyers need to be patient.
At the start of this year, Carsguide was told that the average waiting time between purchase and delivery in Australia was between six and eight months. This demand demonstrates that consumers value authenticity and capability over conventional metrics.
When compared to mainstream alternatives, the Jimny XL offers something fundamentally different. While competitors focus on fuel efficiency, smooth ride quality, and premium interior materials, the XL prioritizes off-road capability, characterful design, and mechanical simplicity. This approach creates a distinct value proposition for buyers seeking genuine adventure capability rather than suburban convenience.
Interior Experience: Function Over Fashion
The interior design philosophy continues the exterior’s honest approach to utility. With an upright dashboard, basic instrument binnacle, and lots of hard plastics, this isn’t a luxury car.
Then again, it’s not meant to be. The materials chosen prioritize durability and easy cleaning over premium feel, recognizing that adventure-focused vehicles must withstand challenging conditions.
Seating reflects this utilitarian approach while providing adequate comfort for its intended use. The back seats are an incredibly welcome improvement versus the 3-door Jimny.
Although you still only get 2 seats in the rear for a total of 4 in the 5-door Jimny, the additional space makes genuine four-person transportation feasible. However, the rear seats are again just slabs of foam so longer journeys – while far better than the 3-door, aren’t going to be great.
Storage solutions throughout the cabin reflect practical needs rather than luxury expectations. Features are minimalist, extending to map pockets and two cupholders which you can fight for possession of with the front seat passengers.
This approach might frustrate drivers accustomed to modern convenience features, but it aligns perfectly with the vehicle’s adventure-focused mission.
Safety and Technology Integration
Modern safety requirements have been addressed without compromising the Jimny XL’s character. Safety features such as Lane Departure Alert and Autonomous Emergency Braking are standard, ensuring compliance with contemporary safety expectations.
However, The Suzuki Jimny XL hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. The three-door model has a three-star rating based on testing carried out in 2018, but it’s made in Japan whereas the XL is made in India.
Technology features strike a balance between modern expectations and the vehicle’s utilitarian character. The automatic gains adaptive cruise control, which works at speeds between 40km/h and 130km/h, though this feature is limited to automatic transmission variants. The infotainment system provides essential connectivity without overwhelming the cabin with unnecessary complexity.
Heritage Editions: Celebrating Automotive History
Suzuki has recognized the emotional connection that many buyers have with automotive heritage through special editions. Building on the success of last year’s Jimny Heritage, Suzuki expands the treatment to the five-door Jimny XL.
The special edition features retro-flavored decals and red mud flaps evoking the spirit of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. These limited editions acknowledge that vehicle purchases often involve emotional as well as rational considerations.
Production is limited to 500 units for Australia, creating exclusivity that appeals to enthusiasts seeking something beyond mainstream offerings.
The Heritage treatment includes retro-flavored red and orange decals on the profile and rear, along with the classic rhino emblem and red mud flaps, celebrating the nameplate’s adventurous heritage.
Future Prospects: Evolution Within Tradition
The 2025 Jimny XL represents a careful evolution of a proven formula rather than revolutionary change. While the Suzuki Jimny XL (five-door) made its debut in early 2023, the three-door version has been available since 2018, signaling that a mid-lifecycle update is on the horizon. This timeline suggests that Suzuki remains committed to the nameplate’s long-term development.
Future developments will likely focus on addressing regulatory challenges while maintaining the vehicle’s core character. European emissions regulations have already impacted availability in some markets, requiring creative solutions to ensure continued global presence.
However, the strong emotional connection that consumers have with the Jimny nameplate provides motivation for continued development.
Character in a Conformist World
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL succeeds precisely because it refuses to compromise its core mission for mass market appeal. But writing the little Suzuki off because it doesn’t make sense on paper is completely missing the point.
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by similar-looking crossovers optimized for efficiency and comfort, the Jimny XL offers something genuinely different.
The Suzuki Jimny XL provides the practicality, people room and cargo space missing from the three-door Jimny, while retaining the ‘fun factor’ of being great off-road while looking retro-good. This achievement represents successful product development that addresses real-world limitations without sacrificing the characteristics that made the original appealing.
The five-door configuration transforms the Jimny from a specialized recreational vehicle into a practical adventure companion suitable for daily use. Families can now seriously consider the Jimny XL as their primary vehicle, knowing that it provides adequate space for passengers and cargo while maintaining the off-road capability that sets it apart from conventional alternatives.
For buyers seeking automotive character in an increasingly homogenized marketplace, the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL offers a compelling proposition. It successfully blends nostalgic design elements with contemporary utility requirements, creating a vehicle that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
While it may not excel in traditional automotive metrics like fuel efficiency or highway refinement, it succeeds brilliantly in providing the adventure capability and distinctive character that many buyers genuinely value.
The Jimny XL represents more than mere transportation; it embodies a philosophy that prioritizes authenticity over convention, capability over comfort, and character over conformity.
In a world where many vehicles have become indistinguishable appliances, the 2025 Suzuki Jimny XL stands as a reminder that automobiles can still capture imagination while serving practical needs.
For those who understand and appreciate this distinction, the XL offers an unmatched combination of retro charm and modern utility that justifies its position as one of the most characterful vehicles available today.