2024 Suzuki Jimny XL Heritage review

It’s hard to believe the JB74 version of the Suzuki Jimny has been with us for five years… and during that time it has been a huge success in Australia.

The diminutive 4x4 has been so popular that long wait times became normal if you wanted a new Jimny and Suzuki soon upped prices to match the demand.

With its cute yet boxy styling being such a hit for fans there was soon talk of expanding the range of Jimny variants from just the three-door wagon. Talk and computer-generated images of long wheelbase and ute versions of the Jimny were popping up everywhere, and the public couldn’t wait to see them happen, prompting some enthusiasts to create their own versions.

25

The first official variant of the stretched JB74 is now with us as the Jimny XL.

This is a five-door wagon that makes the Jimny more versatile by adding extra space for both passengers and luggage, and easier access via a second set of doors.

The XL adds 340mm to the overall length of the Jimny with the same amount between the axles to give it a 2590mm wheelbase. The Jimny XL still only has seats for four passengers but the luggage capacity behind the rear seat is up to 211-litres from just 85L in the SWB model.

For our first test of the Jimny XL we’ve scored the Heritage limited edition which adds extras including model-specific retro decals and badge, red front and rear mud flaps, luggage tray, and a Jimny Heritage merchandise pack.

25

Just 500 of the manual-only Jimny XL Heritage models will be made available in Australia starting at $36,990 plus ORC.

That’s a $1500 jump over the regular price of the Jimny XL but the Heritage edition of the three-door Jimny sold out so fast we expect this one to do the same.

An automatic transmission is available in the regular Jimny XL priced at $36,490. Automatic models also get adaptive cruise control while the manual Jimny makes do with regular cruise, so no great loss.

The Jimny hasn’t lost any of its cuteness with its growth spurt; it’s still a small wagon when compared to any other off-road capable vehicle on the market. The Mahindra Scorpio and Tank 300 would be its closest competitors in terms of size and price.

25

The Jimny is a bit of a Tardis; when I walk up to it I can look down at its roof but when I sit inside it there’s plenty of headroom and enough space to comfortably drive it.

It is however lacking any seat height adjustment which has me sitting higher than I would like and looking down at the bonnet instead of straight ahead at the track. This also means that the numbers at the top of the speedometer are obscured by the steering wheel for me.

The steering column is adjustable for height but not reach, but lowering it at all would have the bottom of the steering wheel in my lap. Being able to lower the seat around 60mm would be great, not for headroom but for improved vision out of the windscreen and side windows.

Suzuki has updated the multimedia screen in the Jimny since we last tested one and the new nine-inch screen is clear and easy to read with no distortion from polarised glasses that we experienced in the past.

The size of the cabin means that the screen is literally a short reach from the steering wheel for the driver’s left hand. From here you can control the Apple Carplay and Android enabled system. Only the Apple system is available wirelessly.

The added wheelbase of the XL gives rear seat passengers a bit more legroom so that now it’s actually usable for an adult, although I wouldn’t want to be sitting there for too long; it’s still better suited for kids. The XL is also bigger behind the back seat and there’s a usable space there to carry a large case.

25

The back seats fold forward but not completely flat. Removing them completely and fitting a flat floor would give overlanders a real usable space for carrying gear if only two seats were needed.

With its diminutive size and tinny feeling the Jimny doesn’t feel as safe as many SUVs but is equipped with AEB, ABS, ESC, six passenger airbags and rear parking sensors and camera.

The XL is powered by the same naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine as is found in the three-door model. It makes just 75kW and 150Nm, which is enough to get it along at a steady pace but the five-speed gearbox would benefit from an extra ratio to lower the revs at highway speeds. As it stands, the engine is spinning at 3000rpm at 100km/h which is loud and annoying.

25

The low gearing also makes the little Suzuki a bit thirstier than you would hope for and it returned 12.2L/100km over our week of driving it.

The revs needed on the highway mean fuel consumption doesn’t drop as much as it would in a vehicle with a more relaxed engine when you get out of the suburbs.

For their part, the manual gearbox and clutch are light and easy to operate – they just need that sixth gear. Past experience driving both the manual and automatic transmissions in the three-door Jimny revealed that the auto was a bit better on the highway with lower engine speed even though it has a shorter final drive ratio, but it too is still busy at 110km/h. In the manual ’box fifth gear is 1:1 while with the four-speed auto top gear is a 0.697:1 overdrive.

25

For off-road use the Jimny has live axles front and rear, a part-time dual-range 4x4 system and electronic traction control.

These features will get it to places no other small SUV will go, but it still falls behind bigger 4x4s when the going gets rough. The small 195/80R15 tyres fall into ruts and holes and have to climb back out of them making harder work of rough tracks over which a vehicle with bigger tyres would simply roll over.

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, which in turn inhibits progress as there’s no traction from wheels in the air. The ETC works to send the drive to the tyres with grip, but it’s slower to react than more modern ETC systems.

25

Thankfully there’s a huge amount of off-road accessories available for the Jimny to improve its off-road prowess and storage options.

The XL version of the Jimny adds a lot more usability by increasing interior space and improving ride quality thanks to the longer wheelbase. At the same time, it has lost none of its cuteness and the Heritage model amps up the retro styling with its graphics and features. But you’d want to be quick if you want to snap up one of the 500 Jimny XL Heritage models as they are bound to sell out fast.

Let’s hope Suzuki follows Jeep’s lead and continues to add further models to the Jimny range… including a Stockman ute in the future.