Maruti Suzuki launches Jimny SUV, priced at Rs 12.74 - 15.05 lakh

Maruti Suzuki India has launched the Jimny SUV in India with prices starting from Rs 12.74 lakh for the entry-level Zeta trim, and going up to Rs 15.05 lakh for the top-spec Alpha trim, both prices ex-showroom, India.

Bookings for the Jimny have been underway since its debut at the Auto Expo, and the company has already amassed over 30,000 bookings since then. Dealer sources have said deliveries will start from mid-June in a phased manner. 

Developed specifically for India, which is the first country to get the five-door version, the Jimny will be produced at Maruti’s Gurugram plant and exported to other markets from there.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The Jimny has been breaking stereotypes for over five decades since its global debut in 1970. The launch of Jimny (5-door) marks an exhilarating milestone in our SUV portfolio and will play an important role in our goal of becoming the country’s largest SUV maker. We are delighted with the response it has received. India will proudly serve as the mother plant for the Jimny (5-door) and will be the first market for its launch.”

The Jimny is powered by a sole 105hp, 134Nm, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic. However, unlike Maruti’s remaining line-up in India, which has moved on to the newer K15C engine, the Jimny uses the older-spec K15B engine. Maruti claims a fuel efficiency of 16.94kpl for the manual variant, while the automatic variant returns a mileage of 16.39kpl. 

As far as off-road gear is concerned, the Jimny gets Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro 4WD system with a manual transfer case and low range gearbox with ‘2WD-high’, ‘4WD-high’ and ‘4WD-low’. It’s underpinned by a rugged, ladder-frame chassis, gets 3-link rigid axle suspension and an electronic traction control system. The Jimny 5-door has a ground clearance of 210mm.

Trims and features
The Jimny's Alpha trim gets all the bells and whistles, including automatic LED headlamps, 9.0-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry and go, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among others. A suite of safety features, which include six airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist are offered as standard. The Jimny is available in a total of seven colour options, two of which are dual-tone. Despite being a proper five-door though, the Jimny is still only a four-seater model.

As for the interior itself, the dashboard has an all-black theme and looks quite rugged with a dashboard-mounted grab handle on the passenger side and faux exposed bolts. Some elements like the steering wheel and circular dials for the HVAC controls are shared with other Maruti models like the Swift. Like in the Thar, the buttons to operate the power windows are located in between the front seats.

Dimensions and design
Measuring 3,985mm in length and with a wheelbase of 2,590mm, the Jimny 5-door’s wheelbase is 340mm longer than the 3-door model. It has a width of 1,645mm and a height of 1,720mm. The rear doors, however, get quite a small 'usable' rear glass area due to a large-ish quarter glass.

That aside, the signature Jimny design traits – upright pillars, clean surfacing, circular headlamps, slatted grille, chunky off-road tyres, flared wheel arches and tail gate-mounted spare tyre – are all there on the India-spec model as well. The Jimny 5-door rides on 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 195/80 section tyres.

The Jimny joins a growing segment of lifestyle off-roaders in India, and although not a direct rival, it will see competition from the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha for its price and positioning.