Maruti Jimny - Expert Review

Looking for a potent and compact off-roader that can satisfy not only your urban needs but the adventure junkie within you? Well, Maruti Suzuki then has you covered. The iconic Gypsy nameplate has been interchanged with the Jimny. Today we are here to talk about it and the lineage that is on offer. 

An alternative to the highly popular Mahindra Thar, the Jimny has a lot of nostalgia attached to it. One is the replacement of the Iconic Maruti Gypsy and the other is the kind of lineage it has to offer. First introduced back in the 1970s, the SUV is currently in its fourth generation. In the international markets, it is available as a 3-door while in India the vehicle is a 5-door offering. With all of that said, does it manage to tickle the buying intent of the user well let’s find out.    

Maruti Jimny Exterior – Design

At first look, its stall stance and chunky nose upfront is an instant puller. Not to mention, if you remember the Maruti Gypsy it had a slightly longer nose and in comparison, this one appears more compact. Key highlights include circular headlights, a chrome-finished grille with multiple slats, a meaty bumper with round fog lamps and a flat bonnet. 

As much as the front profile impresses, the sides feel a bit odd due to their disproportionate design. The inclusion of rear doors is to be blamed for this. Further, the boxy design will in somewhat sense remind you of the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon. That said, what is present in this section are flared wheel arches, black plastic cladding, 15-inch wheels and black colour finished side view mirrors.  

At the rear, you will get a full-size tailgate. The spare wheel mounted here will remind you of the Gypsy. To add to it, the tail lights incorporated within the bumper are old school with parking sensors that aim to aid the driver especially while negotiating those confined spaces. Badges in the form of the model name and 4x4 technology (All Grip) help complete the look. On the whole, it is a very rugged appeal that you get from the vehicle.  

Maruti Jimny Interior - Design and Layout 

As much as the exterior, the interior is also very raw. You get hard plastics and a typical old-school dashboard layout. The instrument cluster has come of age but one would have to agree that the dials look classy. The three-spoke steering wheel on top is nice to hold while the quality of buttons provided here is decent when utilised. As a feature, there is a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offers wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The absence of wireless charging and Type-C charging port is missed dearly but you do get a USB charging port. Below the music system come 2 rectangular AC vents in the centre while on either side of the dashboard are circular ones. A combination of three round dials for the aircon can be seen here. In case you require to operate the front window then the controls for them can be found at the bottom instead of the door panels themselves. We must say that they do take a bit of time getting used to. 

Are the seats comfortable? The four-wheeler provides fabric seats. Upfront they are bolstered well with a decent amount of cushioning. Though we feel that the under thy support could have been better. Space-wise (head, shoulder and knee room) is also good. Towards the rear, the lack of room for your knees and the upright lumber support are not suitable for long commutes. For storing luggage, there is only 219 litres of space which is ideal for short getaways, long holiday trips will be an issue. 

Maruti Suzuki Jimny – Engine and Performance

Powering the off-roader is Maruti Suzuki’s tried and tested 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. The gasoline unit helps deliver a maximum power output of 103 bhp with 134 Nm of peak torque. Though there is the option of manual and automatic transmissions, our test vehicle featured a 5-speed manual stick. Combined, the powerplant felt refined under double-digit speeds however in case you would like to go higher closer to the 100 kmph mark then the engine tends to struggle. Despite a light clutch and smooth gear shifts in city stop-go traffic, your left foot will feel the strain. As on the open highway, it is a breeze to drive. For better control while braking, there could have been a better bite.  

Where the Jimny scores well is in its off-road capability. This has been made possible via Suzuki’s All Grip Technology which allows you to navigate through all kinds of different terrains. Be it sand, mud, slush, snow or rocks, the potential to cross anything thrown in its way is very much there. Further, it's ladder-on frame chassis and lightweight attribute help the cause. As for the ride quality despite the stance and decent suspension setup soaking in potholes, broken roads aren’t an issue at all. The handling is also fairly good for the SUV. 

Maruti Suzuki Jimny – Verdict

Circling back to the question is the Maruti Suzuki Jimny worth your attention while considering buying a new off-road cum urban SUV? For the looks and stance, it has to offer the vehicle is an instant puller. The raw cabin further reiterates that this is a no-frills machine but it offers the basics in terms of features. The comfort levels are just about alright while the off-road capability will impress in case you’re the off-road junkie type. Priced between Rs 12.74 to Rs 14.79 lakh (ex-showroom), it undercuts the Mahindra Thar ROXX. That said if you are in the market for something that features a good discount and is easily available as your second or third vehicle then this could be a good bet.

Also, read 2024 Hyundai Verna – Expert Review