A car in the yard
Maruti Jimny
Smaller than the Thar and just as willing. The favourite when the road is narrow, the bend is blind, and you would rather be light than grand.
Two people, lots of photographs, no interest in a big SUV.
What the maker publishes
- Engine. 1.5-litre petrol, 105 PS and 134 Nm
- Drive. ALLGRIP PRO, with a low range
- Frame. Ladder frame, the old small-4x4 idea
- Ground clearance. 210 mm
- Angles. Maruti publishes about 36° approach and 47° departure
- Seats. Four on the brochure. Two, plus Spiti bags, is the honest load
Maruti Suzuki Jimny, India specification.
How it behaves up here
Five is the right tool. One means we will talk you out of it. This is our yard, not the brochure.
Spiti
5/5
Light, and it fits where a Scorpio argues.
Dirt
5/5
Low range and those angles.
Snow
4/5
Light can be an advantage. It is still a short-wheelbase toy in a drift.
Highway
3/5
It will do the tar. It will also tell you about every gust.
Comfort
3/5
Better than it looks. Not an Innova.
Luggage
2/5
A weekend each. Not a family’s winter kit.
Narrow road
5/5
This is the reason it is on the list.