If there’s one vehicle Suzuki has become synonymous for here in Australia, it’s the Jimny. This rugged, humble off-roader has established itself as the brand’s best seller, even after highly publicised supply issues made it the car everyone wanted, but couldn’t have.
While stock levels were initially plagued by the effects of the pandemic years, in February 2025 the three-door Jimny was temporarily pulled from sale due to a failure to comply with Australian Design Regulations for crash-avoidance safety technology.
This left the five-door, Indian-built Jimny XL (which already met the new standards) to pick up the slack. Despite all that, Suzuki managed to deliver 7027 examples locally, more than double the number of Swift hatches – the brand’s second best seller.
No wonder, then, that the return of the three-door model will be a boon for the brand. We were able to get a first taste of the updated model at a Suzuki Australia launch event held at Sydney Motorsport Park, alongside the new e VITARA and Vitara Hybrid.
Now fitted with a host of upgraded tech to suit ADR regulations and benefit drivers – the full lineup is back in place, although the price has crept up. Starting at $31,990 before on-roads for the manual Jimny Lite, the GLX is priced from $33,990 in manual and $36,490 in auto.
Suzuki Australia has announced drive away pricing deals of $36,490 for the Lite, $38,490 for the GLX manual and $40,990 for the GLX auto; excluding Queensland and the NSW Northern Rivers region (which has its own importer).
For comparison, when the Jimny first launched, the list price of a GLX manual was precisely $10,000 less, although at least now there are some worthwhile upgrades for the 2026 model – even if the looks are (perhaps fortunately) unchanged.
Headlining the list is an improved autonomous emergency braking system called Dual Sensor Brake Support II. The new sensor in the front bumper is the only visible change you’ll notice as a result.
Other safety tech includes lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, and weaving alert – all of which is standard across both trim levels. Both grades also come with automatic headlights.
On the Lite, those are halogen, while it’s LED for the GLX. Automatic windscreen wipers remains absent on both. The former utilises 15-inch steel wheels, manual air conditioning controls, and unpainted side mirrors.
A pair of new infotainment systems find their way aboard the Jimny too, with the Lite fitted with a 7.0-inch touchscreen complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GLX gets a 9.0-inch screen that also adds DAB radio.
All models now feature a full colour multi-information display in the instrument cluster, and a digital speedo – perhaps one of the more surprising items to not feature until now. Don’t think all the new tech means the Jimny has lost its off-road edge, however.
Underneath, all remains the same, complete with live axles front and rear, and dual-range four-wheel drive with a physical shift lever. The drivetrain is still a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 75kW and 130Nm.
That’s backed by either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Rudimentary, yes, but proven, reliable, and enough in a vehicle that only weighs 1100-1120kg in three-door guise. Our launch drive was limited solely to some off-road work in the GLX automatic.
It meant no seat time in a manual Lite version to our chagrin, which translates to being unable to test any of the new safety systems on road. Nor did we spend all that much time thoroughly testing the new cabin tech either, although both new screens do look the part.
It’s clear though that on the tight off-road course that overlooked the Eastern Creek circuit, the Jimny remains firmly in its element when the going gets toughest. Despite the relative lack of torque, its low-range gearing makes dirty work a relative breeze.
Although hardly revelatory for yours truly after many off-road ventures in these cars over the years, most of the novices there on the day found it just as easy. Having driven the long-wheelbase Jimny XL previously, one thing stands out when hopping back into the three-door.
And it’s how much more settled the bigger XL feels. There’s no denying the smaller version is the better looker, meaning this judgement likely won’t matter, but the larger option is probably the better to drive in most aspects.
There was one moment on our off road course that showed the three-door’s worth though. Coming into a corner with a protruding tree and branches in the middle, which the right side of the track sloped down into, there’s no denying that the short-wheelbase was better.
It made it possible to squeeze around it in a way the longer car perhaps wouldn’t. While we’ll need more time testing the Jimny’s new safety systems on the road over the coming months, there’s no denying the appeal of this car is as clear as ever.
The price creep is the main thing to be conscious of as a buyer, as five figures in seven years is undeniably, a big jump. That said, the Jimny is just as much of a status symbol as it is a competent off-roader. If getting looks is your thing, it’ll pay for itself in no time.
You can find out more about the 2026 Jimny 3-door, or its XL sibling, on the Suzuki Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
Our test vehicles were provided as part of a Suzuki Australia media launch event. Exhaust Notes Australia was not paid to attend this event.
Hi Patrick my wife and I are about to buy a 2026 Jimny we can’t decide which 1 to go for 3 or 5 door
It’s not going to be used as a 4×4 we are both in our early 80’s the car will suit for our disability walkers when we need them, What would advise or which one would you suggest would suit us better 2 or 5 door
Regards Stuart
Hi Stuart,
There’s a case to be made for both body styles in this instance, but the team and I feel like the 3-door might be the better option. That’s because it has a flat loading floor when the rear seats are folded down, along with a durable hard plastic lining.
By comparison, the 5-door has a notch when the rear seats are folded down and a carpeted boot floor.
Hopefully that helps, and let us know how you go!
Cheers, Patrick