Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-Door: South Africa-Spec vs India-Spec Model Compared

The made-In-India Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-door has hit the roads of South Africa, priced at R 429,900 (about Rs 19.63 lakh). And the model sold in the Rainbow Nation, even though manufactured in India, gets a couple of changes. In this read, we are going to compare both models and tell you what those differences are.

Design

The design of the South Africa-spec Jimny is similar to the model sold on our shores, with the only difference being that the South African Jimny comes with 15-inch alloy wheels available right from the base variant as opposed to steel wheels offered here in the entry-level model. Additionally, it is available with more colour options, as you can see in the table below.

Interior

Inside, the South African Jimny 5-door gets the same dashboard design as the India-spec model. That said, there are a couple of changes in its features list, which we’ll be talking about in the next section. 

Features

Both versions get a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto, automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, and connected car tech. The only change is that the South African Jimny gets 2 speakers, while the India-spec Jimny comes with a 4-speaker audio system. 

In terms of safety, they get ABS with EBD, up to six airbags, electronic stability control, brake assist, and ISOFIX mounts for the child seats.

Powertrain

The South Africa-spec Jimny 5-door is powered by a similar 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 102PS/130Nm, whereas the India-spec model puts out 105PS/134Nm. It has four-wheel-drive with a low-range transfer case, and you can pick it up with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission, similar to what we have here.

Pricing

Price is where the things differ, as the the India-spec Jimny 5-door ranges between Rs 12.74 lakh and Rs 15.05 lakh (ex-showroom) while the prices for South African Jimny start from R 429,900 (about Rs 19.63 lakh) and go up to R 479,900 (about Rs 21.93 lakh). In India, the Jimny rivals the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha.