Don’t get this wrong: the Jeep Wrangler still is and will probably remain the number one off-road vehicle in the U.S. for quite a while. Maybe the new Ford Bronco has a chance to dethrone it. But, if Suzuki ever brings the Jimny to the States, Jeep could have a serious competitor – not because the Jimny is the better option, but because it offers a similar driving experience at a third of the price.
10 The Jimny Costs A Fraction Of The Jeep Wrangler In Europe
Since the Suzuki Jimny is not offered in the U.S., we will take a quick look at the European market to compare the price of the two models. Both models are offered on the British market, but the difference in price in between the two is huge. The Jeep Wrangler is priced from £60,080 (about $74,000 at the current exchange rates), and in comparison, the Suzuki Jimny’s price is a fraction of it, at just £16,796 (roughly $21,000). However, if you are looking for a Suzuki Jimny for sale on the British market, you would be surprised to find out that a 2019 Jimny can cost you anywhere from £26,995 ($33,100) to £34,995 ($43,000). If we were to put things into perspective, with the Wrangler priced from $30,000 in the States, the Jimny could be very easily priced at or around $15,000.
9 Is The Suzuki Jimny A Good Off-Road Vehicle?
We are not saying that the Jimny has better off-road performance than the Wrangler, but looking at the numbers, it seems that the Jimny is better equipped to handle steep terrain. In the two-door configuration, the Suzuki Jimny has an approach angle of 37 degrees, a departure angle of 49 degrees, and a breakover angle of 28 degrees. The Wrangler on the other hand stands at 41.4, 35.9 and 25.0 degrees. However, the Jimny sits a little lower, with a ground clearance of only 8.26 inches. The Wrangler sits higher at 9.7 inches. Things are a little bit different when looking at the five-door models, but the Jimny still offers a few advantages. The five-door Jimny has a 36-degree approach angle and a 50 degrees departure angle, while the Wrangler has a 43.9-degree approach angle and 37 degrees of departure angle. When it comes to ground clearance, the Jimny wins: 10.63 inches vs. 9.7 inches.
8 There Is Only One Engine Option For The Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny has one big disadvantage: it comes with just one, not a very powerful engine. That engine is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 103 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. However, the Jimny was built with off-roading in mind, and since this is its main purpose, it doesn’t really need anything more powerful. As for the Wrangler, it has the advantage of offering multiple engines, ranging from a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine up to a more powerful 470-horsepower V-8. The Wrangler is also offered in hybrid for with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 400-volt battery pack for a combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet.
7 The Jimny Is The Lighter Vehicle, But Its Towing Capacity Sucks
As no surprise, since the Jimny is the smaller vehicle, it is also lighter. With a total weight of only 2,645 pounds, the Jimny is significantly lighter than the Wrangler and its 3,948 pound curb weight. But, one big win comes with a big loss: the Jimny sucks when it comes to towing. It can tow up to 1,350 kilos (2,976 pounds) with a braked trailer, and only 350 kilos (771 pounds) with an unbraked trailer. Needless to say, figures for the Wrangler are way better: 2,495 (5,500 pounds) and 750 kilos (1,653 pounds), respectively.
6 The Jimny Looks Just As Good As The Jeep Wrangler
We will not deny that the first three generation Suzuki Jimny looked a bit questionable, and there was nothing about its design that really caught people's attention. But, with the fourth generation launched in 2018, Suzuki went for a more modern approach that makes it look just as good as any other off-roader out there. In fact, if you put it next to the Wrangler, you will realize the two kind of look similar: the same boxy style, wide wheel arches, similar front grill - smaller on the Jimny - and circular headlights. There are many people out there that said the new generation Jimny looks just as good as the Defender or the G-Class.
5 The Suzuki Jimny’s Interior Is Minimalistic But Practical
Measuring 142.72 inches in length, 64.76 inches in width, and 67.91 inches in height, the Jimny is no doubt a very small car, so you shouldn't expect a roomy interior. However, Suzuki did the best with what it had, so the Jimny interior offers a lot more space than expected. Of course, in order to offer more room, the cabin of the Jimny lacks some of the most convenient features: it comes with very small cupholders, no bottle holders on the doors, and relatively small seats. But, after all these sacrifices, the Suzuki Jimny interior is roomy enough to offer decent legroom and headroom for the front passengers. Also, if you are willing to sacrifice the cargo space, the rear seats can also accommodate six-foot tall adults. Or, since the seats offer Isofix support, they are perfect for kids. As for the cargo space, depending on the seats being up or down, you will get anywhere between 3 and 13 cubic-feet.
4 The Jimny Actually Has Decent Technology
Just like the Jeep Wrangler, the Jimny is equipped with a 7-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While this may not sound like a lot, remember that the Aston Martin DB11 - a supercar priced at over $200,000 – is only offered with an eight-inch TFT screen that can only be used for navigation. Next to this feature, the Jimny also comes with SatNav, Cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, hill hold and hill descent control, ESP, ABS, EBD, shift lock and key interlock , brake LSD control and more.
3 Suzuki Jimny Has A Body-On-Frame Chassis
The fourth generation Suzuki Jimny stays true to its roots, and it comes with a body-on-frame design with a ladder-frame chassis and beam axles in the front and rear. This type of design is preferred for vehicles built especially with extreme off-roading in mind not only because it makes the vehicle more durable, but also because it allows for easier modification of the suspension. This means that the Jimny can be easily equipped with additional wheel travel and larger tires and wheels. The Wrangler takes the same approach, but it is funny how a tiny car like the Jimny has the same old-school technology as the top off-roaders on the market, but at the fraction of the cost.
2 One Of The Best Jimny’s Features: Allgrip Pro
Suzuki's first 4WD model was the Jimny LJ10. Since then, the 4WD technology has been refined, and it is known to be offered under the Allgrip name. According to the company, this improved technology "offers high off-road ability to meet the driver’s spirit of adventure and gives the driver strength to face and explore the challenges." The Allgrip Pro technology offered in the Jimny is in fact a part-time 4WD system that places a transfer case between the driveshafts that is used to switch between 2WD and 4WD as required. The 4WD is engaged only when needed, and when in use, it connects both the front and rear wheels, and the engine power is distributed evenly to all four tires evenly and without loss.
1 The Jimny Is The Safer Car
This might come as a surprise to everyone: but, according to Euro NCAP ratings, the Suzuki Jimny is safer than the Jeep Wrangler. It received a three-star rating, while the American model received only one. The Jimny offers 73% protection for the adult occupant and 84% for the child occupant, while the Wrangler only offers 50% protection for the adult occupant and 69% for the child occupant. Of course, neither of the two models was built with safety in mind – think for example at the Wrangler that comes with removable doors and panels, but it is still crazy to realize the Jimny does better in this regard.