Maruti Suzuki Jimny – A True Off-Roader
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is an impressive off-roading machine. We’ve witnessed it climb rock-covered steep inclines without breaking a sweat; wade through water without spillage; and lean at impossible angles without ever faltering.
A ladder-frame chassis and solid front and rear axles combine with a brake locking differential and 210mm of ground clearance to give the Jimny an engaging drive, even on asphalt roads.
Features
The four-door Jimny has the same design elements and layout as its three-door version, with an extra door being added on for each passenger. Round headlamps with independent indicators, front grille with vertical openings, clamshell bonnet and side-hinged tailgate complete its look, as does its boot-mounted spare wheel.
The interior of the Suzuki Swift is both simple and functional, featuring an adjustable driver seat with height and steering adjustments for height adjustments and steering adjustments. For top-spec Alpha variants, automatic LED headlamps, fog lamps, 9-inch Suzuki Smart Play infotainment system with Arkamys sound system, push button start/stop functionality, air conditioning, cruise control are also featured among others.
Safety-wise, the vehicle features six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP and hill hold control among others. Furthermore, its Intelligent Drive-Assistance feature utilizes both monocular camera and laser sensor sensors to identify obstacles when driving at night or with poor visibility conditions.
Jimny is powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol engine found on Brezza and Grand Vitara that produces 104 horsepower and 134 nm of torque, channelling power to all four wheels through All-Grip Pro 4×4 drive system.
Design
The third-gen Jimny had an endearing and desirable aesthetic, boasting boxy dimensions with subtle nods from previous-generation Jimnys as well as its signature tailgate-mounted spare wheel that added rugged charm. Unfortunately, its road presence was severely lacking.
Maruti Suzuki’s fourth-gen Jimny has seen some tweaks from its third-gen counterparts; yet its overall design remains intact. While longer than before, its length doesn’t feel stretched; front fascia remains similar with circular headlamps and blacked-out grille; rear features LED lights as well as an optional spare wheel mounted to its tailgate.
The fourth-gen Jimny is powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine found in Brezzas and Ciazes, producing 105bhp maximum power and 134Nm peak torque. Furthermore, this SUV boasts a part-time 4WD system featuring three dashboard buttons – 2WD, 4WD-L (for added grip when in 4WD mode) as well as L mode which engages front/rear wheels simultaneously with lower gear ratio.
Performance
The Jimny’s 660cc engine feels powerful and peppy when driving it on the highway; reaching 80-90kmph with ease in fifth gear. Unfortunately, its fuel efficiency numbers fall short of the 2018 Ertiga due to heavier curb weight and mechanical losses.
The Jimny is designed to take on bumps, potholes and speed-breakers with relative ease thanks to its 210mm ground clearance. However, fast driving on tarmac may be more challenging due to its rigid ladder frame chassis with rigid front and rear axles which translates to an unyielding ride quality with body roll at speed; its archaic recirculating ball steering takes time responding to enthusiastic inputs while its brake pedal requires quite some travel before engaging effectively on asphalt surfaces.
The Jimny truly excels off-road. It effortlessly navigates extreme terrains while climbing rock-strewn steep inclines with ease; thanks to its 210mm ground clearance and 4H transfer gear it stands as one of the most capable SUVs in its segment off road.
Safety
The Jimny is built for tight roads and tight turns; its small footprint enables it to be agile and maneuverable on tight roadways while being easily navigated over narrow gaps and steep inclines.
The new-generation Jimny comes equipped with six airbags and a 9.0-inch touchscreen featuring Maruti Suzuki SmartplayPro+ OS that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus colour MIDs, steering-mounted audio controls and keyless entry – plus rear seats equipped with ISOFIX child seat mounting points.
Euro NCAP tested the Jimny for adult safety for the first time ever and awarded it three-star ratings in both adult and pedestrian protection categories; unfortunately it lacked advanced driver assistance features like lane departure warning and monitoring systems.
Even though the Jimny is small, its cabin is well laid out, featuring plenty of leg room in both seats despite their narrow footprints. Rear passengers may find their rear seat cramped; taller passengers may even experience feelings of claustrophobia when sitting back there. However, its boot can hold an estimated 208-litre luggage capacity when all seats are fully assembled – an attractive feature for buyers looking for urban mobility or occasional off-road adventure.
Value
The Jimny is the modern manifestation of an authentic boxy off-roader with its own distinct look and lightweight construction. Commonly referred to as Gypsy or Samurai, this small SUV enjoys wide popularity among outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about off-roading or mountain climbing activities.
Unlike many sub-4m SUVs, the Jimny is capable of off-roading. With high ground clearance and a spacious boot space, driving it off and on road can be both exhilarating and fun!
It features a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine that can be combined with either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed torque converter automatic transmission for seamless performance. Furthermore, this car features Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro technology as well as low range transfer case.
As a result, the Jimny is an exceptional value-for-money vehicle to purchase. At just INR 18 lakh on-road it costs far less than its fully loaded Brezza or Ciazes counterparts and comfortably seats two people in its rear bench seats while providing ample head, shoulder, knee room. Furthermore, folding down rear seats allows more cargo room in its boot area. Plus it comes equipped with features such as nine” touchscreen infotainment system from Baleno/Brezza models; dual airbags; electronic stability program (ESP); hill hold assist and more – it comes loaded with plenty of goodies from their new Baleno/Brezza counterparts; including dual airbags; dual airbags; electronic stability program (ESP); hill hold assist; hill hold assist and more!
