- Along with the 4WD capabilities, Jimny gets a lot of features
- Gurkha is a no-nonsense, tough, rugged, old-school 4x4 SUV
- Jimny comes with a petrol engine, whereas Gurkha comes with a diesel
Entering the true 4WD SUV segment, Maruti Suzuki has launched the much-awaited 5-door Jimny at the 2023 auto expo. The Jimny directly competes with the legendary 4x4 SUV Force Gurkha. Both SUVs have been made using a ladder-on-frame structure and get a 4WD system with low-range capability. However, when it comes to technical specs and feature lists, there's a lot of difference between the two. Here we will compare the SUVs for what they offer and help you decide on one.
Dimension:
| Dimensions | Maruti Jimny | Force Gurkha |
| Length | 3985 | 4116 |
| Width | 1645 | 1812 |
| Height | 1720 | 2075 |
| Wheelbase | 2590 | 2400 |
| Ground Clearance | 210 mm | 205 mm |
| Water Wading Capacity | NA | 700 mm |
| Approach Angle | 36 degree | 37 degree |
| Departure Angle | 50 degree | 25 degree |
| Ramp Breakover Angle | 24 degree | 25 degree |
| Turning Radius | 5.7 m | 5.65 m |
| Boot Space | 208 Litre | 500 Litre |
Powertrain:
Both, the Jimny and Gurkha get a single-engine option. However, the Jimny gets a petrol motor and the Gurkha gets a diesel motor. Also, there's an option for a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic on the Jimny, whereas the Gurkha just gets a 5-speed manual transmission.
| Powertrain | Jimny | Gurkha |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Diesel |
| Engine | 1462cc 4-cylinder | 2596cc 4-cylinder |
| Power | 105Ps | 91Ps |
| Torque | 134Nm | 250Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT/4-speed AT | 5-speed MT |
4x4 Drivetrain:
The new Maruti Jimny gets the AllGrip Pro 4WD system with a low-range transfer case (4 Low Mode) and a brake-limited slip differential as standard across all its variants. The Force Gurkha on the other hand gets a conventional 4x4 system with high and low gear modes. It also gets mechanically actuated differential locks on both front and rear axles.
Features:
| Features | Jimny | Gurkha |
| Touchscreen | 22.86cm Suzuki Smartplay Pro+ | 17.78cm |
| Speakers | 4 | 4 |
| Android Auto/Apple Carplay | Yes (Wireless) | Yes (Wired) |
| Air Conditioning | Auto Climate Control | Manual |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring | No | Yes |
| LED Headlamps | Yes (With Headlamp Washer) | Yes |
| Fog Lamps | Yes | Yes |
| Steering Mounted Controls | Yes | No |
| Cruise Control | Yes | No |
| Air Intake Snorkel | No | Yes |
| Steering Adjustment | Tilt | Tilt & Telescopic |
Safety:
The Jimny is loaded with safety features. It gets 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, Electronic Stability Program, Brake Assist, Hill Hold & Hill Descent Control as standard. The Gurkha on the other hand gets all the basic safety features like dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System as standard.
Also Read: Maruti Jimny & Mahindra Thar 4x2 Compared: Your Pick?
Verdict: Both SUVs are extremely capable. The only difference is that Jimny is a bit sophisticated and more comfortable because of the features it offers, while the Gurkha is just made for pure off-roading with just the most essential features. The Gurkha would be the best vehicle for someone who wants a rugged off-roading focused SUV, while the Jimny will fulfill your needs for both off-roading as well as city commutes.
