Thursday, January 1, 2026

2026 Suzuki Jimny XL assessment

Relying on what you’re after from a small SUV, the Suzuki Jimny XL could also be your only option on the brand new automotive market… or one of many absolute worst ones.

See, this pint-sized off-roader has primarily no direct competitors if you happen to’re after a rugged off-roader with a ladder body and low-range gearing. It additionally has the good thing about an enormous fanbase and aftermarket help.

It mightn’t be the one mild or small SUV that may deal with being taken off bitumen – simply have a look at the Subaru Crosstrek, for instance, or the lately launched Renault Duster – nevertheless it’s actually the hardest within the tough stuff.

This isn’t an off-road assessment, nevertheless. Is the Jimny XL, launched final yr as a stretched, five-door model of the long-lasting unique Jimny three-door, a automobile appropriate for the every day commute?

Folks love the Jimny’s lovely look, a mix of its boxy physique and its compact dimension – even in XL guise, it’s simply 3820mm lengthy, or 3985mm together with the spare wheel. It’s endearing sufficient that some individuals select to purchase one with out having any intention of taking it off street.

Watch: Paul’s video assessment of the Suzuki Jimny XL

So let’s see simply how comfy and sensible this little go-anywhere off-roader is on-road. By the best way, we might be remiss if we didn’t point out the Jimny XL’s mysterious current stop-sale.

Suzuki stopped taking orders for the Indian-built Jimny XL in mid-July, which it additionally paused deliveries to clients who had already positioned an order and even provided to refund their deposits.

Neither Suzuki Australia nor Suzuki Queensland might inform us what the difficulty was with the automobile, with each saying Suzuki Motor Company had offered them with no rationalization. The stop-sale was then lifted in August, once more with no rationalization as to what the difficulty was.

For any model, even one with a typically strong repute for reliability like Suzuki, the secrecy from HQ in Japan was exceedingly odd.

How a lot does the Suzuki Jimny XL price?

The Jimny XL is offered in a single trim stage, however with a alternative of guide or automated transmissions.