Maruti Jimny : Maruti Jimny is a new hot topic in the Indian market and everyone enthusiast is going crazy over it.
With boxy styling and real 4×4 capability, it’s something of an oddity in an era of crossovers as carmakers prov out the last generation of traditional SUVs.
The Jimny can be a weekend warrior’s best friend and a surprisingly useable city car all rolled into one.
Iconic, Functional Design
The Jimny has a classic look with an upright silhouette, but other than that, minimalism is the order of the day.
Its flat panels and round headlamps and simplistic grille are retro, but, in contrast to curving SUV bodies, are fresh.
Short overhangs at the front and rear, high ground clearance and obvious underbody protection mark it out as being ready for the rough stuff.
Subtle aesthetic tweaks — dual-tone roof options, refreshed alloy wheels and tasteful bumper enhancements — help ensure the look is still fresh, but not without the Wrangler’s trademark bedrock style.
This vehicle is smaller than you think, which makes it surprisingly adept at darting through city traffic and squeezing into tight parking spots.
Interior, Practical but Purposeful
The cabin, meanwhile, maintains a no-nonsense, simple layout. The controls are well-placed, with durable rather than luxurious materials that suit the vehicle’s rugged purpose.
Its dashboard has a touchscreen infotainment system capable of smartphone integration, but not in a way that seems overengineered.
The seating is more upright than in most cars, giving a good view all around, and the front seats are supportive at the thigh for long drives and off-road jaunts.
Rear seats are best for two adults on shorter trips—leg and headroom are adequate but not commodious. There’s everyday usability, too, in storage cubbies, cup holders and a flat floor.
Seat-height under-seat and glovebox storage can cope with small essentials, which makes the Jimny as usable on grocery runs as with trail kits.
Reliable Powertrain and 4×4 Performance
Under the bonnet, the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre petrol engine is a low-reserve motor rigged for low-end grunt.
While peak figures might not sound amazing on paper, that light curb weight and short gearing make it feel lively in town and confident off-road.
It’s mated to either a 5-speed manual or a plain automatic gearbox. The ultimate highlight however, is the part-time 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case.
Switch into four-wheel drive and you also get low-range ratios, which help turn the Jimny into a credible trail basher — it’ll tackle steep inclines, slushy sections and rock-strewn paths with ease.
The simplicity of its drivetrain, when mechanical, results in less electronics to have to think about, which is a plus if you’re out in the wild at some distance from service points.
Quality of Ride and How it Drives
On the road, the Jimny’s ladder-frame chassis and off-road orientated suspension settings mean a very stiff and brittle ride. It soaks up mild bumps well but can get busy over those really sharp potholes.
The steering is light when travelling at low speeds, which is advantageous when navigating through crowded roads and then firm enough for highways.
The raised seating means you’ve an excellent view out over traffic.
Visibly upright and with off-roader underpinnings, the Jimny is one of those cars that proves you can’t judge it by its cover – it corners with a degree of predictability despite its height, although it’s not exactly an enthusiastic cornerer.
With its small footprint and tight turning circle, city-traffic driving proves much less stressful than you might expect for anyone stepping out of larger SUVs.
Safety and Practical Features
The Xpander is equipped with several safety features such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and electronic stability control.
There’s no fancy ADAS like the adaptive cruise control or lane-keep assist available here, but the Jimny’s charm is that it is built like a brick, err, Jimny… and, like the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the boxy off-roader isn’t all that likely to break on you.
Sightlines are good all around, which will help confident piloting.
Functional touches –– such as automatic climate control, touchscreen with rudimentary connectivity and keyless entry appear on higher trims –– which balance a certain level of comfort with the grit of the vehicle.
Pros
Genuine 4×4 off-road capability with body-on-frame construction and available low-range transfer case.
Small footprint is easy to drive and park in the city.
Unique, evergreen design that goes with a crossover.
Sturdy yet basic interior that will hold up over long-term and rough use.
Good visibility combined with an upright driving position inspires more confidence.
Cons
Rough ride on bumpy city streets, thanks in part to off-road suspension calibration.
Not much room in the back for grown-ups on long road trips.
Underpowered on the highway when heavily loaded.
Doesn’t have forward-thinking driver-assistance features but not that they’re needed here.
Fuel economy is so-so for off-road gearing and a box shape.
Maruti Jimny : Verdict
The Maruti Jimny is an unabashed SUV, free from the obligations of masquerading as a pretentious crossover and the likes.
It’s for people who want real off-road ability in a small package, but who also want to run errands in the vehicle.
So it gives up some of the cabin quality and high-level driver aids, but it makes up for that with a good, old-fashioned mechanical set and a playfulness that just might make it the TRD to get.
The Jimny is still an attractive option for people who want to play in the trails on the weekends even while keeping city perks.