Hyundai EXTER vs Suzuki Jimny

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Hyundai EXTER in South Africa

Hyundai EXTER

1.2 Elite AMT Two Tone Petrol Current
ZAR 334,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 5 kW 🔧 114 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
Suzuki Jimny in South Africa

Suzuki Jimny

1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 466,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 130 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai EXTER vs Suzuki Jimny: the short answer

EXTER and Jimny are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

EXTER starts ZAR 175,000 cheaper EXTER from ZAR 269,900 · Jimny from ZAR 444,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification EXTER Jimny
Maximum Power EXTER5 kW Jimny75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque EXTER114 Nm Jimny130 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size EXTER1197 cc Jimny1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy EXTER16.9 km/l Jimny15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance EXTER185 mm Jimny210 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

EXTER

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Jimny

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

EXTER

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Jimny

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec EXTER Jimny
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2019
Generation Current South African EXTER listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Fourth generation (JB74 series); entirely new K15B engine replaces previous K13B; AllGrip Pro 4WD system replaces previous generation's 4WD setup; new body retains ladder-frame construction and live rear axle from all previous generations
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. Fourth-generation Jimny launched globally in 2018 and in SA in 2019; minor specification updates in 2021 including updated connectivity; 5-door Jimny Sierra launched globally in 2023 but not confirmed for SA as of end-2025; no mechanical changes to the 3-door SA model since launch
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Compact SUV SUV
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. Kinetic Yellow, Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Brisk Blue, Chiffon Ivory White, Bluish Black Pearl
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 999 kg 1115 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 GLX AllGrip AT
Spec EXTER Jimny
Length 3815 mm 3625 mm
Width 1710 mm 1645 mm
Height 1631 mm 1720 mm
Wheelbase 2450 mm 2250 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 185 mm 210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 37 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 391 l 85 l
Kerb Weight 999 kg 1110 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Doors 5 doors 3 doors
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 1435 kg
Payload Capacity - 325 kg
Towing Capacity - 1300 kg
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius - 4.9 m
Front Headroom - 990 mm
Rear Headroom - 910 mm
Front Legroom - 900 mm
Rear Legroom - 600 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This EXTER and Jimny comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: EXTER 19 vs Jimny 29.

Efficiency index: EXTER 66 vs Jimny 61.

Safety-equipment index: EXTER 84 vs Jimny 88.

Practicality index: EXTER 65 vs Jimny 44.

Ownership-cover index: EXTER 65 vs Jimny 71.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

EXTER leads by 1 points

EXTER and Jimny are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 58 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 77% source coverage
58
#1 Evidence leader

EXTER

77% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 19
Performance 19
Efficiency 66
Safety 84
Practicality 65
Ownership 65
Leads by 1 points
57
#2

Jimny

93% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 29
Performance 29
Efficiency 61
Safety 88
Practicality 44
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Jimny +10 Efficiency EXTER +5 Safety Jimny +4 Practicality EXTER +21 Ownership Jimny +6

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

EXTER

Performance 19/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 65/100
Ownership 65/100

Jimny

Performance 29/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 44/100
Ownership 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai EXTER leads the specification evidence index with 58 pts vs 57 pts for Jimny

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, EXTER leads. However, Jimny may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

EXTER vs Jimny questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.