The Suzuki Jimny is a boxy 4WD that can conquer most terrains. This SUV captivated off-roading communities for decades with its sharp functionality and practicality.
Unfortunately, the Jimny was phased out in 2020 because it couldn’t keep up with CO2 emission laws.
It returned in 2021 and was rebranded as a “light commercial vehicle” to void having to adhere to the same emission laws that passenger cars do. However, the now commercial status of the Jimny means that it’s now increasingly scarce and pricey.
Looking for a solid and compact off-roader as an alternative to a Jimny? In this article, I’ll show you 10 cars similar to the Suzuki Jimny and why I think they make good alternatives.
1. Jeep Wrangler (2-door)
In my opinion, the 2-door Jeep Wrangler is the closest thing you’ll get to the Suzuki Jimny in terms of size and off-road capability.
This 4×4 American idol can rough it up like any off-roader, but also provides a more luxurious and comfortable interior than the Suzuki Jimny.
Both SUVs have that famous box styling and two-door, four-seat design. But the Wrangler has more trunk space—368 liters (or 906 liters when seats are folded.)
The Wrangler comes with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, producing 270hp and 295 Nm of torque, compared to Jimny’s 100hp and 130 Nm torque. This Jeep has both manual and transmission options available.
The Wrangler is less fuel-efficient than the Jimny, achieving gas mileage of 17 MPG/city, 25 mpg/highway, and 20 MPG combined.
The purchase price is the biggest difference between the two vehicles as the Wrangler costs almost twice as much as the Jimny. If you’ve got big bucks and you couldn’t find yourself a Jimny, this Jeep will be just as perfect for you.
2. Suzuki Samurai
The Suzuki Samurai is one 4WD that’s almost identical to the Jimny. It’s famous for its rugged style and is just as excellent an off-roader.
Similarities begin from the outside: Samurai mirrors Jimny’s iconic box-shape look. Also, the Samurai is a two-door compact SUV, just like the Jimny.
Both cars have manual gearboxes available, but the Jimny also has an automatic transmission option too.
There’s a major distinction in their engine capabilities, however. Samurai is fitted with a 1.3-liter engine that delivers 69 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque, while Jimny comes with a bigger 1.5-liter engine that can deliver up to 102 hp and 95 lb-ft of torque.
There are a few distinctions in body dimensions too. The Jimny is 143 inches long compared to the Samurai’s 135 inches. Also, it’s 7.8 inches and 1.9 inches more in height and width, respectively. However, there’s no noticeable difference in the interior dimensions of both cars.
3. Mercedes G Wagon
G Wagon also has the unique box-shaped design that Jimny is known for. However, it’s a faster and way more refined car.
Like the Jimny, the G Wagon is an AWD, but it comes with a more powerful 4.0-liter V8 engine, packing 421 hp and over 400 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the Jimny, it’s a four-door, five-seat SUV.
G Wagon’s fuel consumption rating is 26 MPG on average. On the other hand, this Suzuki has a rating of 34-36 MPG combined. So the G wagon is less fuel-efficient than the Jimny.
Again, both cars are good off-roaders. But the G Wagon breathes more class and is way more expensive.
4. Ford Bronco
Ford Bronco is another 4WD that bears a striking resemblance with the Jimny. Beyond the famous box-shaped look, both cars also feature similar bumper designs.
This Ford’s off-roading capabilities are also as excellent as the Jimny’s. Yet, Bronco delivers decently on-road too.
The standard version of the car has a turbocharged 2.3 L engine that delivers 300 hp and 325-lb-ft, which is much more than the Jimny’s. However, Bronco consumes more fuel, having a fuel consumption rating of 20 MPG/city and 21 MPG/highway.
The Bronco and Jimny come with two doors and three or four seats.
5. Jeep Renegade
Like the Jimny, the Jeep Renegade has a 4-cylinder engine. But the Renegade’s engine is 2.4-liter, combined with an automatic 6-speed transmission. Engine power value seats at 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque.
Although the Renegade is a four-seater, its five doors versus Jimny’s two doors establish the Renegade as the more practical car. What’s more, Renegade boasts a boot space of 351 liters normal and 1297 liters with compressed seats, trumping Jimny’s 85 liters trunk capacity.
In the fuel efficiency department, the Jeep Renegade boasts 21 MPG/city, 29 mpg/highway, and 24 MPG combined, making it less fuel-efficient than the Jimny.
Both cars are also equipped with a touchscreen control infotainment system, traffic sign recognition, and hill descent control.
6. Suzuki Vitara
This Suzuki model has a slightly different shape and doesn’t look like an alternative to the Jimny at first glance. However, the Vitara is remarkably rugged and is no slacker on off-road terrains.
Like the Suzuki Jimny, the Vitara model is an AWD and comes with a 4-cylinder engine. However, their engine capabilities differ marginally. Vitara’s got a 1.6-liter engine with 115 hp and 115 lb-ft ratings, compared to Jimny’s 1.5-litre 102 hp and 95 lb-ft ratings.
Both vehicles transfer power to the wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. And they both have manual transmission options.
Vitara surpasses its rival in trunk volume with 184 liters of space when seats are upright and 964 liters with compressed seats. It’s less fuel-efficient, though. Its fuel consumption rating is 19 MPG/city, 30 mpg/highway, and 28 MPG combined, reasonably lower than Jimny’s 34-36 MPG combined.
7. Hyundai Kona Active
If you are looking for the sleeker and more comfortable version of a Suzuki Jimny, the Hyundai Kona is one other car to look at.
The Kona active has a 1.6L engine that generates 174 hp of power and about 210 lb-ft of force compared to Jimny’s 1.5L, 102 hp, and 95 lb-ft.
For capacity, the Hyundai Kona has a relatively average space of 361 litres in the trunk but still much higher than the Jimny’s. And it comes with five passenger seats and five doors.
The Hyundai is almost at par with the Jimny when looking at fuel efficiency. It has a mileage of 29 MPG/city, 39 mpg/highway, and 35 MPG combined, Both vehicles offer good interior fittings, a sleek multimedia screen, and an intuitive nav system.
8. Mitsubishi Pajero Mini
Like the Jimny, the Pajero Mini comes with two doors, three to four seats, and an automatic and manual transmission option. Also, a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission transfers power to the wheels in both vehicles.
With a 0.7-liter engine that generates 64 hp of power and 65 lb-ft, the Pajero Mini falls far behind Jimny’s engine capabilities.
Fuel consumption rating is a combined average of 33 MPG for the Pajero Mini, which is in the ballpark of Jimny’s 34-36 MPG average.
Their off-roading capabilities are similarly exceptional, and they score identical points for functionality and reliability.
9. Honda HR-V
The HR-V subcompact crossover doesn’t have the same stout, box-shaped look that some off-roaders love. But it makes quite an appearance, too, with its striking exterior.
On the engine side, the vehicles have distinct capabilities. Although they both have a 1.5L, 4-cylinder configuration, this Honda delivers up to 130 hp, and that’s more power than the Jimny can deliver.
The Honda HR-V comes with five doors and five seats. It also offers a trunk volume of 393 liters and 1456 liters with compressed seats, making it more accessible and practical than the Jimny.
The Honda beats Suzuki in fuel efficiency, with a 41 MPG fuel consumption rating.
10. Mahindra Thar
Last on the list is the Mahindra Thar, a legendary SUV in the Indian off-road Community.
Thar’s boxy shape and two-door design make it a lot similar in appearance to the Jimny. It’s more powerful, though. This car’s 2.5L, 4-cylinder engine edges above Jimny’s, packing up to 132 hp and 221 lb-ft.
Thar operates with a manual 5-speed transmission like Jimny’s manual models. Its fuel consumption rate is estimated to be an average of 36 MPG, which means the Thar is just as fuel-efficient as the Jimny.
Off-road and on-road alike, the Mahindra Thar is a pleasure to drive or ride in.
Conclusion – Cars Like The Suzuki Jimny
In summary, the cars we feel are most comparable to the Suzuki Jimny are:
- Suzuki Samurai
- Mercedes G Wagon
- Jeep Wrangler
- Ford Bronco
- Jeep Renegade
- Suzuki Vitara
- Hyundai Kona Active
- Mitsubishi Pajero Mini
- Honda HR-V
- Mahindra Thar
Do you agree with our list? Which car do you like the best?
Please let us know in the comments!
