Maruti Suzuki Jimny : In an era when compact SUVs are more about style and tech than the kind of bit-you-in-the-ass off-road substance that actually makes them an SUV, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny comes in like a cleansing breath of mountain air. Its appeal has nothing to do with sumptuous interiors or aggressive marketing — it stems from many years of off-road heritage that seem to be encapsulated in a boxy, old-school shape that is unapologetically itself. The Jimny wasn’t intended as a trend piece; it was designed to do things. First created in 1970 by Suzuki, this car has changed with the times over the years, but always stayed true to its true nature as a no-nonsense, go-anywhere 4×4. Now in India, the Jimny in a five-door version is everything the market and Maruti’s astute product planners would fathom, mixing the flair for purpose with sheer practicality in an intentional sort of way. Rocky roads or city streets, the Jimny truly is the vehicle for all occasions – as well as making you feel like you’ve had an adventure just getting there.
Design That Talks a Different Language
The Jimny doesn’t want to win beauty contests, and that’s why it’s so good. Proudly maintains a utilitarian look that’s functional, and confident. The upright windshield, vertical grille, flat sides and circular headlamps evoke the style of vintage off-roaders like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and Land Rover Defender — but in a sized-down, more attainable form. At less than four meters long – it’s shorter than most of the current crop of city crossovers –- but in a different way it has much more road presence. “It doesn’t scream ‘I am ’60s’ with its clean, swoopy lines or its giant chrome parts; instead, it screams character. At the same time, short overhangs and high ground clearance of 210mm allows it to negotiate rough stuffs and large windows all round offer good visibility too both to the person behind the wheel as well as other road users. It is among the few SUVs in its segment in which nearly every design decision is made in the service of development, be it approach angles or maximum material use inside a compact shell.
Made to Attack, Not Just Commute
Admittedly, its diminutive dimensions may leave uninitiated observers wondering what has just passed them (hiding a punchy little unit under its squat hood). Under the hood sits a tried and tested 1.5 L, 4-cylinder K15B petrol motor that makes 103 bhp and 134 Nm of peak torque.(Maruti Suzuki Jimny) This engine is offered with both a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission which are coupled with the Suzuki’s fabled AllGrip Pro 4WD system. The big news here is not so much that four-wheel drive is standard (though we still love that fact) but that a low-range transfer case is included, a feature typically reserved for full-size off-roading style trucks. Matched to the Jimny’s ladder-frame chassis, rigid axles and 3-link suspension, the Jimny is ready for hardcore off-road use steep hills, muddy ruts, river crossings, and rocky trails. Even in base form there are places it can go that would leave more expensive, city-leaning SUVs standing still. And with all that brawn at play, it’s still unexpectedly, and enjoyably, tractable in city streets, where its steering is light and it feels compact.
A Cabin That Lets Function Suggest Form
Open the doors and you find yourself looking at a cabin that has not strayed one iota from the Jimny’s utilitarian heritage. There is no expectation here of soft-touch materials and fancy ambient lighting. The interior, however, is constructed with practicality in mind: hard plastics that are easy to clean, oversized rotary knobs designed to be used with gloves on and the general simplicity of a dashboard layout that makes common sense and has the durability of a hammer.(Maruti Suzuki Jimny) This is not to say it’s completely devoid of comfort. There’s a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and for the driver there’s a dual-pod instrument cluster with a digital MID, one each to either side. One of its finest qualities is visibility, thanks to the vehicle’s upright A-pillars and expansive windows, which allow occupants to see exactly where they are, a wonderful boon on a tight off-road squeeze. Although two adults rather than three is a more comfortable fit for the rear seat, the five-door config boosts practicality over the three-door global KWID. Stowage space isn’t great with all seats upright, but fold the rear seats flat and there’s more than enough room for any gear, luggage, or a makeshift camping rig.(Maruti Suzuki Jimny)
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Game-Changer: The Off-Road Experience the Power of Price!
Where the Jimny does stand alone is in it very keen (compared to rivals) pricing. On sale with a starting ex-showroom price of approximately ₹12.74 lakh (as of 2025), it finally gives a segment, which hasn’t necessarily had access to proper all-wheel drive hardware until now, some veritable dirt-oozing potency. This is the democratization of off-roading in India. Before this, enthusiasts craving a solid, no-nonsense SUV with real low range had to consider product like the Mahindra Thar and higher-end imports that usually start beyond the ₹15-20 lakh mark.(Maruti Suzuki Jimny) The Jimny on the other hand, is a lighter and more nimble alternative that still won’t sacrifice the bread and butter. However, then the story isn’t just about the upfront cost—Maruti’s vast service network, plentiful spare parts, and engineering that has seen the test of time equate low cost of ownership and high reliability over years of ownership. While not of hybrid standard, fuel efficiency is commendable when taking into consideration the fact it is a 4WD and in a segment of the market where the resale value too of a Maruti is bound to be strong.
A Community on Wheels
But what makes the Jimny something more than a mere machine, is the aura it creates around its identity. Owners frequently describe it not as a car, but as a friend — one that’s ready and waiting for the next challenge, whether that’s taking on a mountain road, tackling monsoon-struck fields or even going through rush-hour traffic with a little more glee. The Jimny is all about adventure and now, inspired by the increasing number of off-road parks and road trip circuits, and customisation options in India, it is winning hearts of the weekend warriors and the overlanding fans. From roof racks and snorkels, to lifted suspensions and all-terrain rubber, the aftermarket world has adopted the Jimny as its own with few other vehicles in its segment quite generating the response from tinkerers. It’s not that we’re getting places that matters; it’s that we become part of a culture, one that cares about freedom, durability and self-reliance. And the small size means it’s a perfect second vehicle for families with an adventure-mobile parked at home.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny The Jimny Is Alone in Its Field
To describe the Maruti Suzuki Jimny as “just another SUV” would be fundamentally flawed. It has no plans to compete with loaded-up crossovers or tech-wadded luxury models — it’s resetting the boundaries of what an entry-level off-roader can be. It’s not futurism pretending to be the present; it’s a rugged, mechanical, hands-on vehicle. And, it does so by carving a niche that no other SUV in India has ever been.