The long-awaited replacement for the iconic Maruti Gypsy has arrived, in the form of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. The Gypsy was renowned for its off-road capabilities, and the Jimny carries on the torch as the Indian brand’s answer for taking on all terrains. The Jimny is unlike any other vehicle from Maruti Suzuki’s vast fleet, with this being a rugged off-roader with a distinguished design, poles apart from the usual family friendly cars offered by Maruti Suzuki. The Jimny caught the eyes of the Indian audience with its launch, dressed in a bright colour referred to as ‘Kinetic Yellow’. Unlike the 3-door version that has succeeded abroad, the Jimny will be produced in India only as a 5-door model.

Following the typical shape of jeeps, the Jimny comes in a boxy design, but unlike its competitors, the Jimny is surprisingly narrow. We are accustomed to seeing the Mahindra Thar all across Indian roads, and while the Jimny’s design was expected to be in a similar mould, its narrow width provides a distinctive look. However, its length is not compromised for this, and it most definitely is an off-road SUV. The Jimny measures 3,820 mm in length, 1,645 mm in width, and 1,720 mm in height. The Jimny does not particularly offer road presence, but for the Indian market this could be an advantage as customers look for compactness.

Maruti has equipped the Jimny with a 1.5 litre petrol engine in both manual and automatic options, producing 103.39 Bhp. It is offered in six variants, with three for manual transmission and three for automatic transmission. Staying true to its purpose, the Jimny is a 4x4 vehicle, but it isn’t exclusively meant for off-roading as it possesses qualities that make it capable for city driving. The Jimny can seat 4 passengers and provides ample luggage space. A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system heavily modernizes the Jimny. However, the Jimny lacks cabin practicality, with many basic features such as compartment spaces being missed out on.

We hope the Jimny lives up to its predecessor, and so far, the signs are promising. The off-roading capabilities are excellent, while simultaneously providing comfortable ride quality in the city, which is a major plus point. It is a tough vehicle that can tackle mountain trails as well as city potholes with relative ease. The Jimny will provide stiff competition for the Mahindra Thar, which has stood on its own so far in its segment.