Maruti Suzuki Jimny 4X4 5-Door has debuted in India. Therefore, we discuss its top pros & cons that you should know before buying it.
- Jimny 4X4 debuted at the Indian Auto Expo'23
- It gets a standard 4X4 drivetrain with manual & automatic transmission options
- Available in two variants only
Maruti Suzuki Jimny 4X4 is here now. It created a big hype for itself before its Indian debut. However, the 5-Door Jimny has been receiving a mixed bag of feelings from the audience. It gets a standard 4X4 system but it comes only in 2 variants. To understand this product more clearly, we discuss its top pros & cons below.
Also Read - Maruti Jimny & Mahindra Thar 4x2 Compared: Your Pick?
Maruti Suzuki Jimny 4X4 - PROS
Iconic Brand Name
Jimny is an international product. Very well established for its off-road capabilities abroad, Jimny owns a strong brand value. However, the global model is a 3-door version but the Indian spec is a 5-door. Jimny's iconic brand image will help new buyers in long term. It is well known for reliability and less maintenance costs. But, in the long run, it is suspected to bear a good resale value. Something similar to the case of Gypsy can be expected here as well in the long-term future of Jimny.
Design & Compact Dimensions
Jimny is one cute and unique SUV. Its boxy design and overall dimensions help one notice it easily on road. Hence, it is going to look like eye candy on road once launched in India. All thanks to its compact dimensions, Jimny is one capable SUV. Based on the ladder-on-frame chassis type, Jimny can easily navigate tight traffic spaces. Suzuki has designed the width and overall shape in a very user-friendly way. Additionally, this compact dimension helps in off-road conditions as well. Meanwhile, the Indian spec is a bit long due to the addition of 2 more doors. But, Maruti Suzuki claims that it has managed the abilities of the SUV unchanged. Its compact dimensions have created a separate fan base globally for Jimny.
Engine & Specifications
Jimny 4X4 comes with a bulletproof 1.5-lt K15B petrol engine. There is no use of any hybrid tech on it. The K15B is in itself known for its usable power and grunt. While the 100 bhp of power might look less on paper, the power-to-weight ratio of Jimny is excellent. All thanks to the light chassis, Jimny can perform in any terrain without hiccups. Additionally, Suzuki has equipped it with the ALLGRIP PRO 4X4 system as standard. With locking differentials, Jimny offers amazing off-road capabilities. Meanwhile, one can opt for a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox with the Jimny.
Peppy Performance
Due to the lightweight chassis and compact dimensions; Jimny performs very well. Its overall performance has been tried and tested globally. Meanwhile, the Indian-spec Jimny is yet to be tested by us. However, we think that the K15B petrol engine and the manual gearbox combo will be fun to drive companionship. Meanwhile, the rivals such as Mahindra Thar & Force Gurkha also offer good performance but with high NVH levels. Jimny is one silent SUV due to the use of fewer components overall and the petrol engine.
Safety
Maruti Suzuki has specifically paid attention to enhancing passenger safety on the Jimny. Jimny comes equipped with safety features like hill hold assist, hill descent control, brake LSD, & even 6 airbags. The company also claims that high-tensile steel has been used to manufacture it. Meanwhile, all of these safety features combined make Jimny a strong contender in its segment.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny - CONS
Absence Of Diesel Engine Option
No doubt about the capabilities of Jimny but still diesel power is unmatchable. Especially in SUVs, diesel engines are the first priority of customers. Due to their torquey nature, diesel engines tend to perform better in low-traction areas. But, remember Gypsy? It also did not have a diesel engine but it is still remembered as the king of off-road. Why? Due to its lightweight chassis and high power-to-weight ratio. However, diesel engines offer better fuel economy as well as low running costs. If you want diesel power & torque, rivals offer better. Jimny is more about a silent & smooth off-roading experience.
Lack Of Interior Space
While the Indian-spec is 5-door, it is still less on space. We recently did its interior space video review which you can see below. As clearly stated in our review, it is best suited for 4 adults. But, lack of width is evident and we think rivals have more space to offer on the inside. Additionally, Jimny lacks utility spaces like door pad bottle holders. We think that its interiors could've done better in terms of space management.
Verdict
Maruti is already accepting bookings for the Jimny SUV. However, its pricing is still a mystery to us. Its suspected launch may take place in the coming weeks but we think it won't be very cheap. An expected price tag of Rs 9-12.5 lakh is what we are anticipating. Meanwhile, Mahindra has launched a more affordable version of Thar in an RWD layout. Once Jimny is launched, the lifestyle SUV segment is bound to get exciting.
