One of the most-anticipated launches this year was the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, a vehicle that had been constantly under the radar and media, expecting it to make it to India for over two years. Finally, in 2023, Maruti Suzuki launched the Jimny 5-door in India for Rs 12.74 lakh ex-showroom.
Once the pricing was announced, it quickly became a talking point, as the Mahindra Thar, a vehicle larger and more powerful than the Jimny, was just a little more expensive. This soon became a debate and now, Maruti Suzuki has slashed the pricing of the Jimny in India, making it more affordable, undercutting the Thar. So with the new pricing, how does it compare to the Mahindra Thar? Let’s find out.
Jimny vs Thar: Pricing
The pricing is the key area, as when the Jimny was launched, it carried an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 12.74 lakh for the base variant, the Zeta MT. Available in Zeta and Alpha variants, the Jimny is further divided into other variants, depending on the gearbox choice and dual-colour options, with the top-spec variant costing Rs 15.05 lakh.
The Mahindra Thar’s price starts at Rs 10.98 lakh for the base two-wheel drive variant, while the base 4X4 trim costs Rs 14.03 lakh, ex-showroom. For this price, the Thar is larger, has a more capable engine, and has better off-road abilities, owing to better approach and departure angles, and ground clearance. The top-spec variant of the Thar, the LX hard top diesel automatic, costs Rs 16.93 lakh ex-showroom, Rs 1.88 lakh more than the Jimny.
| Variant | Regular Price | Thunder Edition | Difference |
| Zeta MT | Rs 12.74 lakh | Rs 10.74 lakh | Rs 2 lakh |
| Zeta AT | Rs 13.94 lakh | Rs 11.94 lakh | Rs 2 lakh |
| Alpha MT | Rs 13.69 lakh | Rs 12.69 lakh | Rs 1 lakh |
| Alpha MT Dual Tone | Rs 13.85 lakh | Rs 12.85 lakh | Rs 1 lakh |
| Alpha AT | Rs 14.89 lakh | Rs 13.89 lakh | Rs 1 lakh |
| Alpha AT Dual Tone | Rs 15.05 lakh | Rs 14.05 lakh | Rs 1 lakh |
However, with the new pricing of the Jimny, the base version costs Rs 24,000 less than the Thar, and the top-spec Jimny, the Alpha AT dual-tone Thunder Edition, costs Rs 2.88 lakh less than the Thar.
What does the Jimny get compared to the Thar?
The Jimny and the Thar have the same length, under 4 metres, measuring 3,985mm, despite the Thar looking much larger. However, where they differ is when it comes to the wheelbase, as the Thar has a wheelbase of 2,450mm while the Jimny measures 2,590mm. This, combined with the Thar’s ground clearance of 226mm, makes it more capable than the Jimny on paper, however, lightness is the key and the Jimny, despite having a ground clearance of 210mm, is equally capable.
The other major difference is the number of doors and seating. The Maruti Suzuki Jimny has five doors, making it easier for the passengers in the rear to get in and out. Also, the Jimny can accommodate 5 passengers, albeit with a bit of a squeeze. The Thar has four seats, no rear doors, and can carry four passengers. Any longer trip done on either vehicle will restrict occupants to two.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Thar: Engine specifications
This could be the deciding factor for many, as the Maruti Suzuki Jimny is offered with a sole petrol engine mated to a manual or an automatic gearbox. The Thar is offered with a petrol engine and two diesel engine choices, mated to a manual or an automatic gearbox. Both vehicles get a low-ratio 4X4 system, however, it is standard on the Jimny and optional on the Thar.
| Specifications | Jimny | Thar (P) | Thar (D) |
| Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.0 L | 1.5 L | 2.2 L |
| Power | 104bhp | 150bhp | 117bhp | 130 bhp |
| Torque | 134Nm | 300Nm | 300Nm |
| Gearbox | MT/AT | MT/AT | MT/AT |
The spec sheet is clear when it comes to on-road performance, as the Thar has a more powerful engine, however, the Jimny’s performance is adequate, as the same engine powers the Ertiga and the Brezza. However, if off-roading capabilities are a priority, the Jimny is a tempting offer, especially given the new pricing.
