2025 Suzuki Jimny: Small box, big attitude

While the global car-buying crowd has only recently begun to obsess over SUVs and crossovers, the Bangladeshi car market has long leaned towards high-riding vehicles. The reasons aren't just aesthetic. With Dhaka's famously uneven roads, potholes, and generous speed bumps, ground clearance is less of a want and more of a survival tactic. 

That's probably why raised suspensions are such a common sight here—even on cars that weren't meant to be raised in the first place.

But not every vehicle needs to fake it. Suzuki's Jimny has arrived in Bangladesh in its new five-door form, officially brought in by Uttara Motors, and it's one of the few machines on sale here that doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. Built on a ladder-frame chassis, equipped with proper four-wheel drive, and shaped like a child's sketch of an SUV, it doesn't blend in. The Jimny doesn't offer a crossover's smoothness, but what it does bring to the table is genuine off-road capability—and just enough day-to-day usability to make it viable as a city car too.

The boxy design makes the Jimny stand out in the crowd. PHOTO: Aurik Sarker

Originally designed as a kei-class off-roader for the Japanese market back in the 1970s, the Jimny has since grown out of its microcar roots into something more versatile. Its latest generation, now with five doors and more rear passenger room, was first launched in India in 2023. Now, it's slowly beginning to carve out a niche on Bangladeshi roads—and for buyers looking for something other than a Vezel or a Corolla Cross, it's starting to make sense.

One such buyer is Shafiq R Bhuiyan, who recently made the switch from a hybrid Toyota Aqua to the Jimny. He stumbled across it at Uttara's new Tejgaon showroom and was immediately drawn in by its boxy, toy-like charm. After binge-watching countless reviews from India, South Africa, and Australia—countries with actual off-road terrain—he decided to make the jump. In his words, the Jimny matched his personality: "stubborn on the inside, gentle on the outside."

He had other options in mind. Like many prospective buyers, he weighed up the usual urban SUVs: Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, and even the BYD Seal Atto 3. But what pushed him towards the Jimny was its old-school, mechanical nature. The Jimny felt like a smaller, more accessible way to scratch the same itch.

Inside, the Jimny offers solid build quality with a 9-inch infotainment in the centre. PHOTO: Aurik Sarker

After a few weeks behind the wheel, his experience has been mostly positive. The car's compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre through Dhaka's notorious traffic, and its high ground clearance and off-road suspension setup mean it doesn't flinch when the roads get rough.

It's not particularly powerful or quick, but Shafiq says it's enjoyable to drive, with a decent exhaust note and a steady, predictable feel on the road. He's already taken it down to his village, and it held up well on varied terrain. The lack of advanced driver aids—no lane-keeping assist, no radar cruise control—hasn't bothered him. In fact, he finds the simplicity refreshing.

Inside, it's functional rather than fancy. The nine-inch display supports Apple CarPlay, the air conditioning works well, and the music system gets the job done. Build quality feels solid enough for what it is. As a daily driver, Shafiq said it's more practical than expected. It's slightly shorter than his previous hatchback, which helps in tight spaces, and though the steering is heavier, it becomes second nature after a few drives. The seating isn't plush, but it fits five in a pinch, and four comfortably.

Under the hood, the Jimny packs a 1500cc engine that sends power to all four wheels. PHOTO: Aurik Sarker

He reports an average fuel economy of about 11 km per litre from the 1,500 cc engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 77.1 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 134.2 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, which, while not groundbreaking, is enough to get the job done on almost any terrain you'll take it to.

It lacks the premium creature comforts of some of its rivals—no sunroof, no electric seats—but for someone who prioritises durability and ruggedness over convenience, the trade-off seems acceptable.

Perhaps the most noticeable part of owning a Jimny in Dhaka, though, is how it stands out. It's not something you see often, and that novelty factor hasn't gone unnoticed. Strangers regularly approach Shafiq with questions. The shape, the colour, and even the badge draw attention. "People smile at it," he said. "Even in traffic, they give me space."

Shafiq has already added a paint protection film to the exterior and has plans for some minor accessories to improve practicality and aesthetics. For now, he's keeping the factory wheels and tyres, resisting the urge to modify it too soon. There's also word from Uttara Motors about a planned Jimny community.

The Jimny can be driven in either two or four wheels depending on the terrain. PHOTO: Aurik Sarker

The five-door Jimny isn't a car for everyone. It's not the most refined, nor is it trying to be. It isn't packed with features, and you can't really call it spacious or luxurious. But for those who want a small, capable, and genuinely characterful SUV, it has its appeal.

With a price tag of Tk45 lakh, whether it turns into a cult favourite here like it has in other markets remains to be seen, but it's clear that among its growing group of owners, the Jimny is already earning its place.

Specifications

Engine: 1500 cc K15B

Transmission: 4AT

Power: 77.1 bhp at 6,000 rpm

Torque: 134.2 Nm at 4,000 rpm

Price: Tk45 Lakh