06/01/2026
Are You Sure You Need the GLX, or Is the GL the Smarter Canvas?
If you are shopping for a 5-door Jimny, you are likely stuck on the same question as everyone else: Is the flagship GLX really worth the premium?
With a R28 000 price gap, the line between "smart buy" and "unnecessary spend" is thin. It all comes down to how you plan to use the car, so let’s clear up the confusion.
Mechanically, the Jimny 5-door GL and GLX are identical. They share the same 75kW K15B engine, chassis, AllGrip Pro hardware, and even roll on the same 15-inch alloy wheels.
With the GL priced at R437 900 and the GLX starting at R465 900, the difference sits purely in the "lifestyle" features and safety tech.
For most people, the GLX is the smarter buy simply because it turns the Jimny from a weekend toy into a proper daily driver. The switch from halogen to LED projector headlights is a game-changer for night driving.
Inside, you get automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and crucially, Cruise Control, which makes long highway stints much easier to live with. Throw in 6 airbags (vs 2 in the GL) and the bigger 9-inch screen, and the extra cost makes sense for a car you drive every day.
But the GL makes perfect sense for those wanting to fully customise their Jimny.
Since the GLX upgrades are mostly "nice-to-haves," the GL is the better blank canvas. If you’re planning a "Little G" body kit or a full aesthetic makeover, you’re probably going to rip off the front bumper, grille, and lights anyway. Paying extra for premium factory parts that will just sit in a box in your garage is a waste of budget.
If you have a big build planned, the GL saves you R28 000 upfront so you can spend it where it actually shows.
Suzuki SA