HomeCar News2018 Suzuki Jimny vs Maruti Gypsy - Can new Jimny replace the...

2018 Suzuki Jimny vs Maruti Gypsy – Can new Jimny replace the iconic Gypsy?

Officially launched in Japan and expected to make its presence felt in India sometime in early 2019, Suzuki Jimny could potentially replace the ageing Maruti Gypsy, which was first launched in 1985, and has not received any major update ever since.

Let us see whether buyers will really miss Maruti Gypsy in the light of the new Jimny coming in, and how these two cars compare against each other in terms of dimensions, features, engine performance and price.

New Suzuki Jimny and Maruti Gypsy in Army Green colour.

The 2018 Suzuki Jimny is being offered in the sub 4 meter segment. It measures 3,645mm in length, 1,645mm in width and 1,725mm in height. It sits on a wheelbase of 2,250 mm. The Gypsy on the other hand is larger at 4,010mm length, 1,540mm width and 1,875mm height while wheelbase is at 2,375mm.

Both cars are positioned on a ladder frame chassis but a shorter and wider footprint on the Jimny will enhance its off roading abilities as compared to that seen on the Gypsy.

Seating capacity is where the new Jimny is found lacking. The Gypsy, being a longer vehicle with rear side benches can seat upto 8 persons (without seatbelts) unlike the Jimny with is primarily just a 4 seater model with uncomfortable bench seats.

Features on board the Maurit Suzuki Gypsy are sparse. It is devoid of essential safety features such as airbags, ABS, power steering or manual air conditioning. The new Jimny however, comes in loaded with safety features. It is seen with a total of 6 airbags – dual front, curtain and front side, ABS, EBD, ESP, Brake Assist, Traction Control and autonomous emergency braking along with lane departure warning system.

The new Jimny also gets LED headlamps with LED DRLs, automatic climate control, push button start and infotainment via a 7” SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay. To score over the Maruti Gypsy, the Suzuki Jimny also receives recirculating ball type power steering, hill launch assist, hill descent control, brake limited slip differential and shift on fly part time four wheel drive which enhance its performance over the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy.

Features common to both models are rounded headlamps, 5 slot front grille, heavy duty bumpers and a signature rail mounted spare wheel.

Engine specifications also vary with the 2018 Suzuki Jimny receiving a K15B 1.5 liter petrol engine offering 102 PS peak power and 130 Nm torque mated to a 5 speed manual transmission or 4 speed automatic transmission. The Gypsy is fitted with an older G13BB 1.3 liter petrol engine offering 81 PS power and 103 Nm torque mated only to a 5 speed manual transmission. This more powerful engine on the Jimny enhances its off-roading performance while the Jimny also displays better power to weight ratio of 89.87 PS/tonne as compared to the 77.1 PS/tonne seen on the Gypsy.

Pricing of the ageing Maruti Suzuki Gypsy as compared to the 2018 Suzuki Jimny is notable lower. The Gypsy is priced from INR 6.25-6.39 lakhs while the Jimny launched in Japan is priced in the region of Rs 8-12 lakhs.

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