Maruti Jimny 5-Door Automatic India Review: Worth The Wait

Globally the Jimny has been a success but the 3-door version has been deemed as too impractical for our tastes. Hence, Maruti took its time and developed a 5-door version.

The slab sided side with the 15inch wheels and the spare wheel mounted at the back are pure off-roader.

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

The wait ended finally and it took a long time for the Jimny to get here with numerous delays and rumours that it would not make it here. The Jimny is the fourth generation off-roader and a successor down the line for the Gypsy. Globally the Jimny has been a success but the 3-door version has been deemed as too impractical for our tastes. Hence, Maruti took its time and developed a 5-door version. Here it is then and you can buy one from June 6. But, the question is should you? Read on for that.

 

Much has been discussed about the Jimny and it's styling but we would say that it blends off-road charm within a compact SUV body very well. It is cool and without trying too hard. The round headlamps plus the grille to the clamshell bonnet is all a reminder of its roots and we love that. It is compact with a length of 3985mm but has plenty of presence. The slab sided side with the 15inch wheels and the spare wheel mounted at the back are pure off-roader.

 

 

It even feels tough with a solid build quality and a lovely paint finish. Get in and you climb inside with slim pillars and the raised SUV-like driving position indicating what it is all about. There are no soft touch materials but the cabin is well built and comes with a decent amount of kit including a 9inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity plus a rear camera display, an Arkamys audio system, climate control and more. That said there isn't as much gadgetry as on the Brezza.

Space at the front is surprisingly good with excellent headroom and decent support from the seats although the lack of width is felt. The same can be said for the rear with the Jimny being called a four seater and rightly so with just about enough legroom for two passengers. It's fine for short journeys but this SUV is not for the  chauffeur driven or even very tall passengers. The boot is also just about enough for a few days travel at 208 litres while removing the rear seats brings in 332 litres.

 

Right, time to drive and the 1.5 Kseries springs to life silently. The Jimny is easy to drive in the city and you like the excellent visibility plus the tall driving position. What is also nice is the smooth engine and the 4-speed automatic which makes everyday driving painless. Further highlights include its excellent ride quality and how it tackles the city potholes very well. The city commute won't have you complaining but the 4-speed automatic does not like to be rushed as it is slightly slow when pushed hard. Best use light throttle inputs. The manual version is more fun but the automatic brings in more convenience.

 

In terms of efficiency it isn't the usual Maruti high double digit figures while careful city driving will bring about 10kmpl.

However, you'd be thinking wrong to buy the Jimny for its practical aspects. This SUV has a personality and the fantastic off-road capability is a big part of that. We did some serious off-roading and that showed the talents of this small ladder frame SUV. There is a proper three link rigid axle suspension and a 4x4 system with 4High along with 4Low. Hence, tough obstacles are nothing for the Jimny as its solid underpinnings are seen here.

 

 

The robust suspension takes everything and the fact that it does not get bouncy along with maintaining composure is just brilliant. Steel slopes, climbing rocks and wading through deep water is just a day's work for the Jimny. The vital stats include a ground clearance of 210mm but the abuse it can take is unbelievable along with the composure during off-roading that would rattle many more expensive SUVs.

 

 

The Jimny is not your usual subcompact SUV and nor is it the usual new Maruti. You will not buy the Jimny for its features or its fuel efficiency as it is all about its looks, off-road ability and the cool factor which it brings. Off-road it is phenomenal and teaches many more expensive off-roaders a lesson while showcasing a sense of toughness. It is a proper off-roader that is compact and usable enough for everyday use. We would say it has been worth the wait!

 

 

What we like — Looks, quality, off-road ability, 5-door practicality, compact size

 

What we do not like — 4-speed automatic is slow, luggage space could be better