Suzuki Grand Vitara 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.

Suzuki Grand Vitara

1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT Hybrid Automatic

ZAR 542,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 76 kW 🔧 137 Nm ⛽ 17.9 km/l

Suzuki Jimny

1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Petrol Automatic

ZAR 466,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 75 kW 🔧 130 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l

＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Tie

⛽ Fuel Economy Tie

🛡 Safety Tie

📦 Practicality Grand Vitara

🔑 Ownership Tie

Grand Vitara starts ZAR 444900 cheaper Grand Vitara from ZAR 359,900 · Jimny from ZAR 444,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Engine Power	76	75
Torque	137	130
Engine Size	1462	1462
Claimed Mileage	17.9	15.9
Ground Clearance	210	210
Boot Space	310	85
Airbags	6	6
Kerb Weight	1225	1115
Seating Capacity	Available	Available
Warranty	5	5

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

Grand Vitara

/ 100

pts

Jimny

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

Both Grand Vitara and Jimny are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Equal

Efficiency Equal

Safety Equal

Practicality Grand Vitara +3 pts

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Grand Vitara

Performance 6/20

Efficiency 0/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 12/20

Ownership 20/20

Jimny

Performance 6/20

Efficiency 0/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 9/20

Ownership 20/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Grand Vitara

Strengths

More practical for daily use

Weak Spots

No obvious weak spots to flag.

Best suited to: Family Usage

Jimny

Strengths

Nothing stands out clearly here.

Weak Spots

Less practical in daily usage

Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Grand Vitara

Large families needing more practicality and usability

Jimny

Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Engine	1.5L K15C Dualjet SHVS Mild Hybrid 4-Cylinder	1.5L K15B 4-Cylinder Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 4 Cylinder Mild Hybrid (SHVS)	Inline 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated
Engine Code	K15C	K15B
Cylinder Layout	Inline 4 (I4)	Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration	Naturally Aspirated	Naturally Aspirated
Displacement	1462	1462
Cylinders	4	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Cylinder Bore	74.0	74.0
Piston Stroke	85.1	85.1
Compression Ratio	10.5:1	10.5:1
Engine Position	Transverse Front-Mounted	Longitudinal Front-Mounted
Variable Valve Timing	Dual VVT — Intake and Exhaust	VVT on Intake Camshaft
Fuel System	Multi-Point Fuel Injection with 12V ISG	Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Turbocharger	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Power	76	75
Power @ RPM	6,000 rpm	6,000 rpm
Power	102	100
Torque	137	130
Torque @ RPM	4,400 rpm	4,000 rpm
Maximum Engine RPM	6800	6800
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7	3.7
Fuel Grade Required	93 RON Unleaded Petrol	93 RON Unleaded Petrol
Top Speed	175	145
0-100 km/h	13.5	14.5
Engine Type Config	Available	Available
0–100 km/h	Available	Available
Battery Capacity	Available	Available
Charging Port	Available	Available
AC Charging Time	Available	Available
Engine Displacement	Available	Available
EV Range	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters	4-Speed Automatic Torque Converter
Transmission Type	6-Speed Automatic	4-Speed Automatic
Number of Gears	6	4
Drive Type	AWD — AllGrip Auto	4WD — AllGrip PRO Part-Time
Drivetrain Layout	All Wheel Drive (AWD)	Rear Wheel Drive (2WD) / 4WD with Low-Range
Final Drive Ratio	4.388:1	4.090:1
Steering Turns Lock to Lock	2.8	3.8
Clutch Type	Single Dry Plate Diaphragm	Single Dry Plate Diaphragm
LSD Available	Not Available	Not Available
Differential Lock	Not Available	Not Available
Transfer Case	Not Applicable	Two-Speed Transfer Case (Hi / Lo Range)
Paddle Shifters	Standard Sport Paddle Shifters	Not Available
Drivetrain	Available	Available
Transmission	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Length	4345	3625
Width	1795	1645
Height	1645	1720
Wheelbase	2600	2250
Ground Clearance	210	210
Kerb Weight	1225	1115
Gross Vehicle Weight	1680	1555
Max Payload	530	455
Front Track Width	1565	1265
Rear Track Width	1565	1265
Turning Radius	5.4	4.9
Number of Doors	5	3
Seating Capacity	5	4
Boot Space	310	85
Boot Space Seats Folded	708	377
Towing Capacity	0	1300
Load Bed Length	0	0
Load Bed Width	0	0
Front Legroom	1060	900
Rear Legroom	935	600
Front Headroom	1010	990
Rear Headroom	970	910
Front Shoulder Room	1455	1270
Rear Shoulder Room	1430	1155
Boot Volume	Available	Available
Doors	Available	Available
Seats	Available	Available
Front Overhang	Available	Available
Fuel Tank Capacity	Available	Available
Rear Overhang	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Claimed Mileage	17.9	15.9
City Mileage	14.7	12.7
Highway Mileage	20.8	17.9
Fuel Tank Capacity	45	40
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	0	0
Auto Start Stop	Not Available	Not Available
Average Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Claimed Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Distance To Empty	Available	Available
Low Fuel Warning	Available	Available
Fuel Efficiency	Available	Available
Real-world Mileage	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Airbags	6	6
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Start Assist	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Available	Hill Descent Control Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	2 Rear ISOFIX Points	2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	Standard
Central Locking	Remote Central Locking	Remote Central Locking
Side Impact Beams	Standard	Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats	All Seats	All Seats
Speed Alert System	Standard — Audible Warning at 120 km/h	Standard
Pedestrian Detection AEB	Not Available	Not Available
Front Parking Sensors	Not Available	Not Available
Safety Rating	Not Independently Rated	Not Independently Rated
Whiplash Protection	Active Head Restraints on Front Seats	Active Head Restraints on Front Seats
Lane Change Warning	Not Available	Not Available
AEB	Available	Available
BA	Available	Available
Brake Override System	Available	Available
Curtain Airbags	Available	Available
Driver Airbag	Available	Available
EBD	Available	Available
Engine Immobiliser	Available	Available
Fatigue Detection	Available	Available
Hill Hold	Available	Available
Passenger Airbag	Available	Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Available	Available
Side Airbags	Available	Available
TCS	Available	Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Available	Available
Knee Airbag	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Standard Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Not Available
Lane Departure Warning	Not Available	Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Not Available
Parking Sensors	Rear Ultrasonic Sensors	Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Rear View Camera	360-Degree Surround View	Standard
360 Degree Camera	360-Degree Surround View Camera	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert	Not Available	Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition	Not Available	Not Available
Auto Highbeam	Available	Available
Auto Lights	Available	Available
Auto Wipers	Available	Available
Drive Modes	Available	Available
Eco Mode	Available	Available
EV Mode	Available	Available
Rear Parking Sensors	Available	Available
Reverse Camera	Available	Available
Sport Mode	Available	Available
Adaptive Cruise Control	Available	Available
Park Assist	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Seat Material	Leatherette Seat Trim	Fabric
Seat Adjustment	Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment	Manual 4-Way Driver Adjustment
Heated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Steering Type	Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)	Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Not Available
Folding Rear Seats	60:40 Split Fold	Full Fold-Flat Rear Bench
Front Armrest	Standard Centre Armrest	Standard Centre Armrest
Rear Armrest	Integrated in Seat Back	Not Available
Cup Holders	4	2
Rear AC Vents	Not Available	Not Available
Rear USB Ports	0	0
Steering Wheel Material	Urethane	Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Instrument Cluster Type	Analogue with Digital Trip Display	Analogue with Digital MID
Interior Colour Options	2	2
Driver Lumbar Support	Not Available	Not Available
Door Map Pockets	All Four Door Pockets	Front Door Pockets
60 40 Split Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Driver Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Front Seat	Available	Available
Cooled Seats	Available	Available
Driver Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Fabric Seats	Available	Available
Front Headrest	Available	Available
Leather Seats	Available	Available
Memory Seats	Available	Available
Passenger Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Rear Headrest	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Climate Control	Automatic Climate Control	Automatic Dual-Zone Climate Control
Power Windows	All Four Windows	All Windows
Keyless Entry	Not Available	Smart Key System
Push Button Start	Not Available	Push Button Start
Wireless Charging	Standard 15W Wireless Charger	Not Available
Sunroof	Panoramic Glass Roof	Not Available
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	Standard	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	Standard	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	Not Available	Not Available
Rear Window Defroster	Standard	Standard
Electric Mirror Folding	Electrically Adjustable Auto-Fold Mirrors	Electrically Foldable Mirrors (New 2026)
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	Standard — Driver Height Adjustable	Standard — Driver Height Adjustable
Follow Me Home Headlamps	Not Available	Standard
12V Accessory Socket	1 x 12V Socket	2 x 12V Socket
Speed Limiter	Standard	Standard
AC Type	Available	Available
Adaptive Dampers	Available	Available
Aero Kit	Available	Available
Auto Dimming Irvm	Available	Available
Boot Opener	Available	Available
Chrome Exterior Highlights	Available	Available
Chrome Grille	Available	Available
Climate Zones	Available	Available
Door Ajar Warning	Available	Available
Drag Coefficient	Available	Available
Driver Display	Available	Available
Electric Folding Mirrors	Available	Available
Engine Check Warning	Available	Available
Engine Start Button Illumination	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop Button	Available	Available
Engine Warranty	Available	Available
Exhaust Finish	Available	Available
Exhaust Type	Available	Available
Front Armrest	Available	Available
Front Power Outlet	150	150
Fuel Consumption Combined	Available	Available
Fuel Lid Opener	Available	Available
Gear Shift Type	Available	Available
Glovebox Cooling	Available	Available
Ground Clearance Unladen	Available	Available
Headlamp Height Adjust	Available	Available
Headlamp Washer	Available	Available
Headrest Adjustable	Available	Available
Heads Up Display	Available	Available
Hill Start Assist	Available	Available
Impact Sensing Door Unlock	Available	Available
Intercooler	Available	Available
Launch Control	Available	Available
Multi Function Steering	Available	Available
Panoramic Roof	Available	Available
Payload Capacity	Available	Available
Performance Data Logger	Available	Available
Power Mirrors	150	150
Push Button Start	Available	Available
Rear Defogger	Available	Available
Rear Reading Lamps	Available	Available
Rear Seat Split	Available	Available
Rear Wing	Available	Available
Remote Engine Start	Available	Available
Rev Matching	Available	Available
Ride Mode Selection	Available	Available
Roof Antenna	Available	Available
Seat Type	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner	Available	Available
Seatbelt Reminder	Available	Available
Service Plan	Available	Available
Service Reminder	Available	Available
Side Steps	Available	Available
Skid Plates	Available	Available
Spare Wheel	Available	Available
Speed Alert System	Available	Available
Stability Control	Available	Available
Stabilizer Bar	Available	Available
Steering Mounted Controls	Available	Available
Steering Response	Available	Available
Tachometer	Available	Available
Tail Lamps	Available	Available
Telescopic Steering	Available	Available
Tilt Steering	Available	Available
Trip Computer	Available	Available
Tyre Repair Kit	Available	Available
Valves Per Cylinder	Available	Available
Vanity Mirror	Available	Available
Voice Command	Available	Available
Voice Command Support	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Infotainment Screen	9-inch Touchscreen	9-inch Touchscreen
Infotainment Screen Size	9	9
Apple CarPlay	Wireless Apple CarPlay	Wired Apple CarPlay
Android Auto	Wired Android Auto	Wired Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	6	4
Navigation System	Via Smartphone Mirroring	Via Smartphone Mirroring
Digital Instrument Cluster	9-inch Digital Cluster	Analogue with Digital MID
USB Ports	2	2
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Wireless Apple CarPlay	Not Available
FM Radio	Standard	Standard
Steering Wheel Audio Controls	Standard	Standard
Voice Recognition	Via Smartphone	Via Smartphone
AUX Input	Not Available	Not Available
Wi-Fi Hotspot	Not Available	Not Available
Audio Controls On Steering	Available	Available
Infotainment Display	Available	Available
Rear Usb	Available	Available
Premium Audio	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
LED Headlamps	LED Projector Headlamps	LED Projector Headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps	LED DRLs	LED DRLs
Fog Lamps	Front Fog Lamps	Front Fog Lamps
Roof Rails	Standard Roof Rails	Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design	17-inch Polished Two-Tone Alloy Wheels	15-inch Land Rover-Inspired Alloy Wheels
Chrome Exterior Finish	Not Available	Not Available
Body Cladding	Black Plastic Side Body Cladding	Black Plastic Body Cladding
Rear Spoiler	Not Available	Not Available
Exterior Colour Options	6	6
Roof Type	Standard Fixed Roof	Standard Fixed Roof with Black Contrast Roof Option
Wing Mirror Type	Electrically Adjustable Body-Coloured Mirrors	Electrically Foldable Black Mirrors
Rear Wiper	Standard	Standard
Door Handle Finish	Body-Coloured Door Handles	Black Door Handles
Body Type	Available	Available
DRL	Available	Available
Fog Lights	Available	Available
Front Fog Lights	Available	Available
Led Headlights	Available	Available
Led Taillights	Available	Available
Rear Fog Lights	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Approach Angle	19	36
Departure Angle	21	50
Wading Depth	0	600
Terrain Modes	Auto / Sport / Snow / Lock	Not Available — AllGrip PRO 2H / 4H / 4L Transfer Modes
Locking Differential	Not Available	Not Available
Underbody Protection	Skid Plate Under Engine	Standard Skid Plates
Ramp Breakover Angle	18	27
Recovery Hooks	Front and Rear Tow Hooks	Front and Rear Recovery Hooks
4WD System Type	AllGrip Auto — Intelligent AWD with Snow/Sport/Lock modes	AllGrip PRO — Part-Time 4WD with Low-Range Gearbox
Hill Descent Control	Available	Available
Ramp-over Angle	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Tyre Size	215/60 R17	195/80 R15
Wheel Type	17-inch Polished Alloy	15-inch Alloy
Wheel Rim Size	17 Inches	15 Inches
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Drum
Front Brake Disc Diameter	296	265
Rear Brake Drum Diameter	259	220
Parking Brake Type	Conventional Handbrake	Conventional Handbrake
Tyre Load Index	96	96
Tyre Speed Rating	H	S
Spare Wheel Type	Space Saver Spare	Full Size External Rear Spare
Brake Type Front	Available	Available
Brake Type Rear	Available	Available
Spare Tyre	Available	Available
Tyre Type	Available	Available
Front Tyre Width	Available	Available
Rear Tyre Width	Available	Available
Wheel Diameter	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut with Coil Spring	Rigid Front Axle with Coil Spring
Rear Suspension	Multi-Link Independent with Coil Spring	Rigid Rear Axle with Coil Spring
Chassis Type	Monocoque	Ladder Frame
Power Steering	Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)	Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Steering Column	Tilt and Telescopic Adjustable	Tilt and Telescopic Adjustable
Front Spring Type	Coil Spring	Coil Spring
Rear Spring Type	Coil Spring	Coil Spring
Front Anti-Roll Bar	Standard	Standard
Rear Anti-Roll Bar	Standard	Standard
Shock Absorber Type	Telescopic Gas Dampers	Telescopic Gas Dampers

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Service Interval	15,000 km or 12 Months	15,000 km or 12 Months
Approx Service Cost	Approx R2,000–R2,500 per Service	Approx R2,500–R3,000 per Service
Battery Warranty	12 Months	12 Months
Maintenance Plan	Not Included	Not Included
Engine Oil Change Interval	10,000 km or 6 Months	10,000 km or 6 Months
First Service At	1,000 km Inspection	1,000 km Inspection
Service Plan Duration	4 Years	4 Years
Service Plan Distance	60000	60000
Anti-Rust Treatment	Underbody Rust Protection	Underbody Rust Protection and Skid Plates
Alternator	Available	Available
Battery Type	Available	Available
Gear Shift Indicator	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Warranty Years	5	5
Warranty Kilometers	200000	200000
Roadside Assistance	5 Years Roadside Assistance	5 Years Roadside Assistance
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	3 Years Anti-Corrosion	3 Years Anti-Corrosion
Basic Warranty	Available	Available

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
CO2 Emissions	131	148
Start Stop System	Automatic Start-Stop via ISG	Not Available
Hybrid System Type	12V SHVS Mild Hybrid — Integrated Starter Generator (ISG)	Not Applicable
Noise Level	68	69
Fuel Octane Requirement	93 RON Unleaded	93 RON Unleaded
Particulate Filter	Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF)	Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF)
Euro Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 5
Green NCAP Rating	Improved — Mild Hybrid Reduces City Fuel Use	Not Independently Rated
Idle CO2 Output	Within Euro 5 Limits	Within Euro 5 Limits
Fuel Evaporation Control	Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP)	Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP)

Spec	Grand Vitara	Jimny
Real-world City Mileage Min	6.0	7.0
Real-world City Mileage Max	8.5	9.0
Real-world Highway Mileage Min	4.8	5.5
Real-world Highway Mileage Max	6.5	7.0
Owner Review Count	0	0

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Suzuki Grand Vitara wins with 56 pts vs 53 pts for Jimny

In structured scoring, Grand Vitara emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Jimny may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Grand Vitara edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Grand Vitara 0 vs Jimny 0. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Grand Vitara 18, Jimny 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Grand Vitara 20, Jimny 20. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Grand Vitara 12, Jimny 9. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Grand Vitara 6, Jimny 6. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Grand Vitara edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Grand Vitara scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Grand Vitara and Jimny in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Grand Vitara scores 6 vs 6.

Efficiency: Grand Vitara scores 0 vs 0.

Safety: Grand Vitara scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: Grand Vitara scores 12 vs 9.

Ownership: Grand Vitara scores 20 vs 20.

Final structured scoring gives Grand Vitara the advantage in this comparison.

Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki Jimny

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Key Specs Side by Side

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

Grand Vitara

Jimny

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

Grand Vitara

Jimny

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Grand Vitara

Jimny

Which One's Right for You?

Grand Vitara

Jimny

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down