Maruti Jimny: Worth The Wait Or Should You Pick One Of Its Rivals Instead?

Looking into the details to see what sort of advantage the five-door Jimny has to offer over the competition

The Maruti Jimny will soon be making an appearance in showrooms while its bookings are open since the debut. We will be getting the SUV’s five-door iteration only, as revealed by the carmaker during Auto Expo 2023. All specifications and features of the Jimny have already been shared by Maruti. But is Maruti’s much-awaited off-roader worth waiting for, or will one of its rivals be better for you? Let’s find out.

All prices ex-showroom Delhi

Mahindra Thar: BUY for bigger size, diesel powertrain and 4x2 option

One of the main reasons for picking the Thar instead of the Jimny is that the former is much bigger in size. For reference, the Mahindra Thar, in its three-door guise, is in itself wider and taller than the five-door Jimny and therefore better suited for those of you with a bigger physique. Also, if you are someone who wants a typical diesel-powered SUV, then it’s the Mahindra Thar that offers you this choice, with both manual and automatic gearbox options. While the SUV was already available in a 4x4 guise, the carmaker recently introduced a rear-wheel drive (RWD) version as well that has brought down its starting price to Rs 9.99 lakh.

Force Gurkha: BUY for a more spacious cabin and a torquier diesel engine

The second-generation Force Gurkha is a viable alternative to the Maruti Jimny in case you want a more spacious interior while still limited to four seats. Those seated in the rear get the benefit of captain seats and legroom. Another aspect where the Gurkha one-ups the Jimny is in terms of a diesel engine. Force has provided its SUV with a 90PS/250Nm, 2.6-litre diesel unit, albeit only with a five-speed MT. It even gets a low-range transfer case and manual (front and rear) locking differentials as standard. When compared to the Jimny though, it does miss out on an automatic transmission option, a better fit and finish, and a relatively more modern interior.

Also See: Here Is How Maruti Jimny Looks Next To Force Gurkha

Mahindra Scorpio N: BUY for bigger size, seven seats and powerful engines

In case you want a much bigger SUV, for a premium, with a diesel-4x4 combo that can seat up to seven members of your big family, you can look at the Mahindra Scorpio N’s second-from-base Z4 trim. It not only gets a 4x4 drivetrain but also gets both manual and automatic transmission options. The Scorpio N's Z4 trim gets features such as a cooled glovebox, wheel covers, and height-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support. Not only that, the new Scorpio N also boasts of a perfect five-star crash-test safety rating from Global NCAP.

Maruti Grand Vitara / Toyota Hyryder: BUY for AWD option, and a more premium, modern, and family-oriented appeal

Although the Jimny is a sub-4m offering, its expected price range of over Rs 10 lakh will put it into contention with some compact SUVs like the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder. Both petrol-only offerings get an all-wheel drivetrain (AWD) option suitable for frequent mild off-roading. Where the Jimny comes off as a hardcore off-roader, the Maruti-Toyota duo have a more premium, modern and family-oriented approach, which could come at a budget’s stretch.

Related: Key Differences Between Maruti Jimny And Maruti Gypsy

Maruti Jimny: HOLD for off-roading ability, renowned characteristics, suitable for both off-roading and daily use and loaded features list

The India-spec Jimny is elongated over the globally offered model to accommodate the additional doors and for more rear legroom. The SUV carries forth distinct traits such as the boxy design, upright stance and the tailgate-mounted spare wheel. The Jimny has also retained its off-road ability that the three-door model has been known for, and comes with a 4x4 drivetrain. Maruti has made efforts to make it as modern as possible by equipping it with a nine-inch touchscreen, projector LED headlights, cruise control, and six airbags. The Maruti Jimny, with its added dose of practicality of increased boot space and flat-fold front seats, can offer a mix of both worlds as owners will be able to use it while going camping and even as a daily driver. The combination of a petrol engine and lightweight construction is also expected to appeal to fans of the original Gypsy.