CAR REVIEW: The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door More Than A Mountain GOAT | Motourismo

Words and photos by Monch Henares

Suzuki Jimny 5-Door—and in Sizzling Red Metallic at the Binloc Baywalk in Pangasinan

If there was ever a compact SUV built for adventure with style and charm, it’s the new Suzuki Jimny 5-Door in Sizzling Red Metallic. It turns even more heads than a guy ordering extra rice at a keto restaurant. Arabelle and I recently took it on a full weekend road trip that tested everything from its hill-climbing chops to urban parking convenience, and it delivered big in all the right places.

The weekend kicked off with a scenic Friday drive up NLEX to Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Clark, Pampanga, where I teed off under the stars for a 9-hole night golf round celebrating the 70th anniversary of Filinvest. The Jimny’s composed ride and quick-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission made the cruise smooth and stress-free. Gear transitions were crisp, with no lag or delay—ideal when overtaking slow-moving trucks or dodging last-minute potholes. It’s a small detail, but that transmission response gave the drive a premium, effortless feel—as if the car could read my mind. The quiet cabin also impressed me right away. While the Jimny has always had that rugged, go-anywhere DNA, this 5-door version clearly levels up on refinement. Wind and road noise were minimal, even at highway speeds—no need to crank the volume just to hear the chorus of your favorite road trip anthem.

At the Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Clark, Pampanga

Five-star golf amenities and services at the Mimosa Plus Golf Course

Early Saturday, I steered the Jimny toward Marcos Highway, climbing steadily toward Baguio City. This is where the extra length of the 5-door paid off—offering added stability on winding ascents without compromising agility. Climbing and overtaking were a breeze. The Jimny’s compact but spirited 1.5-liter engine worked in harmony with the transmission, providing enough power exactly when needed. There was no second-guessing, no sluggish downshifting—just confidence with every maneuver. Honestly, it felt like the Jimny was flexing, saying, “Is that all you got, Benguet?” 

Parking around Baguio’s tight, café-lined streets was a cinch. The Jimny’s compact footprint, paired with its light steering and excellent visibility, made threading through the tight roads around Burnham Park as easy as spotting a tourist in a thick jacket and shorts combo with his neck lined with everlasting flowers. Come nightfall, we explored Baguio’s lively dining scene and vibrant night spots. Navigating unfamiliar roads was fun, thanks to the large 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which came loaded with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No cords, no fuss—just seamless connectivity, clear maps, and instant DJ privileges.

The well laid out cockpit

In the city of pines, Baguio.

After breakfast and a stroll through the pine-scented Burnham Park, we descended the Pine City toward Bonuan Binloc in Pangasinan, just in time to catch the sun dip beneath the horizon at the Binloc Baywalk. The mix of coastal breeze and open highway called for relaxed cruising, and once again, the Jimny delivered. The ride remained smooth, even on provincial back roads, and it never felt jittery despite its ladder-frame chassis. It handled dips and humps with grace, like a ballerina in hiking boots.

Bucket type front seats

The interior looks small, but it's actually roomy and comfortable.

The rear seats fold down for more cargo room.

One of the more surprising pieces of feedback came from my sister Patty, who wasn’t even on the weekend trip. A few days after we arrived, she had the chance to ride in the back seat, and her verdict? “It looks small, but it's actually really roomy and relaxing!” she said, noting how easy it was to get in and out thanks to the wide rear doors and slightly higher seating position. And if my Ate Patty says it’s comfortable, that’s saying something because she once called a reclining La-Z-Boy “neh.”

Large 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which comes loaded with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Steering wheel switches for hands-free communication, infotainment, and Cruise Control

The Jimny is known for being utilitarian, but this version brings modern tech to the mix without overcomplicating things. The 9-inch infotainment screen is easy to use, with great resolution, making navigation fun and intuitive—even if your co-pilot is giving confusing directions. The Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto kept the cabin clutter-free and allowed for seamless playlist control and hands-free calls. 

Reverse cameras and parking sensors are essential for tight city and provincial parking spots, and they were especially helpful when curious locals start crowding around your bright red ride for a closer look. Hill Hold Control was a real bonus on the way up to Baguio, preventing rollback on steep inclines. Cruise Control helped ease the long NLEX and SCTEX stretches, while steering wheel audio and phone controls let me stay focused and still skip that one song I always regret adding to the playlist. The automatic LED headlamps lit up dark provincial highways with confidence and clarity—perfect for spotting stray dogs, tricycles, or the occasional Loakan road ghost story setting.

Rear camera with parking sensors.

Hill-descent control feature

In a safe and controlled environment, I also got the chance to stretch the Jimny’s legs—and it confidently reached a top speed of over 140 km/h without feeling strained. That’s not something you expect from a boxy SUV with off-road roots, but the Jimny handled it with surprising poise. Even more impressive was the fuel economy over the course of the trip: the Jimny returned an average of 14.7 km per liter, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice efficiency for fun.

Chasing sunsets at the Lingayen Gulf.

The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is not just a rugged off-roader anymore—it’s a capable, tech-savvy road-tripper with enough practicality for daily use and enough soul to keep things exciting. The added length brings space and comfort while retaining all the charm and capability the Jimny name is known for. If you’re after a car that can squeeze through tight streets, climb mountain roads, cruise highways smoothly, and still look like nothing else on the road, the Jimny 5-Door is ready to play and win every weekend. Just be warned, your weekend getaway vehicle might just become your everyday companion.

1.5-liter engine worked in harmony with the 4-speed transmission.

Rear 12-volt outlet

4-Wheel-Drive