Mahindra Thar vs Suzuki Jimny: Which One's Better On Paper?

Will the Thar still be numero uno even after the Suzuki Jimny lands in Maruti showrooms?

Update (02/10/2020): Mahindra has launched the second-gen Thar with prices beginning from Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

We were expecting the new-gen Thar at Auto Expo 2020, but instead, we got to see the Suzuki Jimny. You can imagine our excitement when Maruti revealed it was considering it for India. 

Then, months passed, no spy shots were seen, the lockdown was enforced, and we forgot all about the Jimny. Finally, at Independence Day 2020, Mahindra revealed the new-gen Thar, taking the automotive world by storm. The design, which not only harks back to that of its older cousin but also reminds you of a certain American off-roader, is a hit with everyone. 

And it’s this affection for the Thar that has made us revisit the Jimny. After all, both serve a similar purpose, and if the Jimny were to come to India, the Thar would finally have a real rival. Yes, we know the Force Gurkha exists, but it has only rivalled the Thar when it comes to utilitarian purposes. The Jimny promises to serve lifestyle aspirations too.

So let’s take a look at how the two compare on paper. But before we dive into the objective, let’s analyse the subjective stuff: the looks!

Design

Both the Thar and the Jimny sport similar boxy designs and draw inspiration from pre-existing SUVs. While the Thar’s shape could have you mistake it for a certain Jeep, the Jimny stands out on its own.

But if it's the raw appeal that you are after, the Thar’s design is definitely more captivating. The Jimny also looks quite masculine and contemporary and hasn’t aged a bit, since it was revealed a couple of years ago. However, when Maruti does bring it to India, we expect it to turn heads all day long. In the end, it will all come down to personal preference.

One thing you should keep in mind is that the Jimny, which is expected to launch in India, will be an exclusive made-for-India five-door version, unlike the global three-door version we saw at Auto Expo 2020. That means it is bound to grow in size.

Powertrain

Petrol Engine

Diesel Engine

The Jimny misses out on a diesel engine but the Thar is offered with one. That said, Maruti has reiterated time and again that it will bring back diesels in case of a demand. If the Jimny does come to India, it could use Maruti’s latest 1.5-litre DDiS motor. You can see how it compares to the Thar’s engine in the table below.

*Figures quoted here are indicative of the engine’s output in the Maruti Ciaz

So the Thar definitely has the Jimny covered when it comes to engine options, engine power, and even the number of cogs in the automatic transmission. Does that hinder Jimny’s off-road business then? Well, that’s a subjective question that we can’t answer objectively without comparing the two side by side, but if international videos are to be believed, the Jimny’s tiny 1.5-litre petrol engine is enough for most terrains.

Drivetrain

So these are both off-roaders and a 4x4 system is a must. And in that case, both cars lay claim to a partial 4x4 system that can be engaged when the going gets tough. Both have low-range transfer cases as well, so they are quite evenly pegged in that department. The two even get a shift-on-fly feature that allows you to shift in the 4H without stopping.

And for when traction becomes seriously scarce, both cars get a brake locking differential -- a simple system that cuts off power from free-spinning wheels and directs it to the wheels with traction. Now sometimes, even this might not be enough and in that case, you'll be better off in the Mahindra Thar as it also gets a mechanically locking rear differential.

Dimensions

An off-roader’s dimensions are really important and if it doubles up as a lifestyle vehicle, these become doubly important. After all, you want a small compact off-road vehicle that can traverse tight trails but at the same time, you want a big enough cabin to seat your family and friends in comfort.

*Dimensions are for the three-door Jimny whereas India is expected to get a five-door version

We’d ask you to take these numbers with a grain of salt as the Jimny that will be launched in India will be a five-door model. The numbers are purely for reference to gauge how things stand now.

Off-road numbers

These numbers are derived once you take into account the ground clearance, wheelbase, and the length of the cars’ overhangs.

*Numbers are for the three-door Jimny whereas India is expected to get a five-door version

The Thar is the better choice when approaching an incline, but when it comes crossing over one and getting down the other side, it is the Jimny that handles better. If river crossings are your thing, the Thar will offer you almost double the water wading capacity than the current global Jimny.

Features

The Thar and Jimny are both in a sense quite utilitarian but looking at recent interactions, the two have stepped up the game when it comes to the features onboard. Both off-roaders feature:

• LED DRLs

• Touchscreen infotainment system

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• Steering-mounted audio controls

• Power windows

• Cruise control

The Thar also has some of its party pieces such as a tyre pressure monitoring system, the option to select between a hard top, soft top and a convertible top, a touchscreen that is weather resistant (IP54 rated for dust and water), and a washable cabin with drain plugs in the floor. In fact, all the switchgear in the Thar is weather resistant since you can roll down the convertible soft top and also remove the doors.

That doesn’t mean the Jimny doesn’t have a few tricks up its sleeves. It gets full-LED headlamps and fog lamps, a rearview camera, camera mounted on the outside rearview mirror opposite the steering, automatic climate control, high beam assist, autonomous braking and lane departure warning. 

Safety Features

The Thar and the Jimny both come with quite a few similar safety features, including:

• ABS with EBD

• Dual front airbags

• ISOFIX mounts

• ESP

• Hill hold control

• Hill descent control

However, the Jimny with its side and curtain airbags takes the total number to six, making it the safer choice of the two. The Thar with its inbuilt roll cage comes close on that front. 

Takeaway

The Thar’s head start means it will certainly cement its place in the lifestyle/off-road segment by the time the Jimny lands on our shores. While this comparison alone cannot define the clear winner without driving the two back to back, it does highlight the areas where they shine.

The Thar is the better off-roader on paper with its added mechanically locking rear differential. The possible India-spec Jimny, however, with its five-door design could prove to be the better everyday car. Add to that the fact that the three-door Jimny weighs only around 1100kg and the inclusion of more doors shouldn’t make it that much heavier. Being lighter, it will not only be able to claw back some ground while off-roading but also be a dynamically better car to drive. 

Besides, the lighter car will be more fuel efficient and the Jimny could be offered with up to six airbags, giving the Thar a run for its money. Some food for thought: imagine if Maruti renamed it the ‘Gypsy’ for India.