At 208L, Maruti Suzuki Jimny boot space is less than that of Swift hatchback’s boasting 268L of luggage-carrying capacity
Maruti Suzuki Jimny is creating a lot of buzz in the Indian automotive market. It is currently the smallest adventure lifestyle vehicle in India. Maruti Suzuki has showcased Jimny in India and prices are not yet out. For India, Maruti Suzuki is only offering a five-door variant. It will be launched soon.
When launched, it will rival Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha. Both these vehicles are currently offered in a 3-door guise, while 5-door versions are getting prepped. Despite being 3-door vehicles, Thar and Gurkha pose the size advantage and dwarf Jimny in its 5-door avatar. Does the same principle hold true with Jimny’s boot space too? Is 208L enough?
The Tantalising Question About Jimny Boot Space
Automotive enthusiast Sunil Mali recently posted Jimny luggage test images on Rushlane Spylane Facebook group. He used some of his luggage to demonstrate Maruti Suzuki Jimny’s boot. For the test, he used two suitcases. One is a large 28” softshell suitcase and the second one is a 20” hardshell suitcase.
He placed 28” softshell suitcase on its back and 20” hardshell on top of it in similar fashion. The horizontal space remaining can accommodate the 20” hardshell suitcase vertically. This gives us valuable insight regarding Jimny boot space. In effect, a prospective buyer can place almost three 28” suitcases flat and on top of one another.
The remaining space can accommodate one vertically placed 20” suitcase and a couple of backpacks or briefcases. Different permutations and combinations involving different size suitcases or bags are possible too. This is much better space optimization than what is on offer with Mahindra Thar.
Is 208L Boot Space Enough?
Boot compartment volume is denoted in liters. And it is often a misleading number. In real-world, the shape of the boot plays a bigger role. For example, a 600L boot space with wheel well intrusions is less usable than a 550L square-ish boot. Other contributing factors are the load lip height, depth of boot floor from load lip, tailgate opening and boot opening aperture and more.
A ladder-frame chassis underpins Jimny. It also gets a tailgate-mounted spare wheel. Loading lip is much higher than a hatchback like a Swift. Side-hinged tailgate opens a massive boot opening aperture, allowing it to load bigger items like a refrigerator (kid you not). But side hinged tailgate pose issues in tight parking spaces.
The Balancing Act
Hatchbacks don’t have a lot of interior height. Something which Jimny has in abundance. Jimny’s interiors’ Z-height can put into good use innovatively. For example, Jimny’s boot looks like it can hold up to six rucksacks when placed vertically. If all six rucksacks are tall and have a capacity of 80L, a prospective Jimny owner can haul 480L worth of luggage. At the expense of rear visibility, though.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny is a narrow vehicle and seems like a comfortable four-seater. Jimny boot space looks like it can hold luggage of four. For camping excursions, one can easily carry a couple of trekking mattresses, rucksacks and perhaps even a beer dispenser.
