The Japanese arm of Suzuki has officially announced the reopening of bookings for the Jimny Nomade — the 5-door version of the fourth-generation Jimny, built in India and exported to Japan under the “Nomade” name. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on, why it matters, and what to watch out for.
✅ What’s the Announcement?
- Bookings for the Jimny Nomade in Japan are set to recommence from 30 January 2026.
- The model had earlier had its orders suspended because demand far outstripped supply — leading to exceptionally long wait times.
- The SUVs are manufactured exclusively at a facility in India (Gurugram, Haryana) and exported to Japan (and other markets) from there.
📊 Why the Huge Demand?
- On launch, the Jimny Nomade reportedly received around 50,000 bookings in just 4 days in Japan.
- With production initially capped at about 1,200 units per month, earmarked for Japan, this backlog translated into a waiting period of around 3.5 to 4 years.
- The 5-door format offers extra practicality compared to the 3-door Jimny — more doors, more usable rear seat space — which appeals in a market like Japan where compact off-road style vehicles are popular.
🔍 Key Features of the Jimny Nomade
- Engine: 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit producing around 102 PS and 130 Nm in the Japanese specification.
- Transmission options: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
- Off-road equipment: Suzuki’s “AllGrip Pro” 4WD system, including low-range transfer gear, ladder-frame chassis, 3-link rigid axle suspension, etc. Angle specs: ground clearance ~210 mm; approach ~36°; departure ~46°; ramp breakover ~24°.
- For Japan market: Additional features include ADAS suite, heated front seats and mirrors, a choice of two-tone roof options, etc.
🔧 Production & Supply Constraints
- The bottleneck: The India-based factory exporting to Japan has limited capacity allocated for this model. With demand large, backlogs built up quickly.
- In summer/fall 2025, production capacity reportedly increased from ~1,200 monthly units to around ~3,300 units per month for export markets.
- Despite the increase, the backlog means that reopening bookings now is more about managing expectations and clearing the backlog rather than an immediate supply glut.
🌏 Implications & Market Context
- For Suzuki: This marks a strong validation of the “Made-in-India for the world” approach. The Jimny Nomade is exported to markets beyond Japan, including Australia, Mexico, South Africa, and Chile.
- In Japan: The high demand and long wait underscore how a compact, rugged SUV with strong off-road credentials and practical 5-door design can capture consumer interest even in a market accustomed to smaller vehicles.
- In India, ironically, the 5-door Jimny (domestic market) hasn’t been as commercially successful compared to its export demand. The Japanese success stands in contrast.
⚠️ Things To Keep in Mind
- If you are in Japan (or looking from other markets), even though bookings reopen Jan 2026, wait times could still be long given the backlog.
- For buyers in India or other export markets: Availability may still be constrained; local variant specs/pricing may differ from Japan’s.
- Pricing transparency: In Japan, earlier pricing for the 5-door variant was reported in the region of ¥2,651,000 to ¥2,750,000 (approximately ₹14.86 lakh to ₹15.41 lakh at some exchange rate) for the manual and automatic versions.
- Accessories, local homologation, RHD vs LHD markets: Export markets often have different spec sheets; potential importers should check local compliance.
- The reboot of bookings doesn’t mean instant delivery — buyers should set expectations appropriately.
📝 Summary
The Suzuki Jimny Nomade’s booking reopening is noteworthy — it reflects a model that has sparked exceptionally strong demand, to the point that bookings were once suspended due to backlog. With bookings restarting in early 2026, Suzuki is signaling that it is ramping supply and willing to meet interest, albeit within realistic capacity constraints.
For off-road SUV aficionados and fans of the Jimny lineage, this 5-door version offers a compelling blend of ruggedness, compact footprint, and increased practicality — but patience will still likely be required.