A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Jaecoo J7 SHS vs Suzuki Jimny 5-Door: the short answer
J7 SHS has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Jimny 5-Door.
Jimny 5-Door starts ZAR 250,000 cheaperJ7 SHS from ZAR 689,900 · Jimny 5-Door from ZAR 439,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Maximum Power
J7 SHS255 kW @ 5500 rpm
Jimny 5-Door77 kW
Maximum Torque
J7 SHS525 Nm
Jimny 5-Door138 Nm
Engine Size
J7 SHS1500 cc
Jimny 5-Door1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
J7 SHS100.0 km/l
Jimny 5-Door16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
J7 SHS174 mm
Jimny 5-Door0 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Jaecoo J7 SHS
SHS
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
J7 SHS
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Jimny 5-Door
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
J7 SHS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Jimny 5-Door
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
Current South Africa J7 SHS range
Current market generation
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
SUV
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
Not Available
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Length
4500 mm
3985 mm
Width
1865 mm
1645 mm
Height
1670 mm
1720 mm
Wheelbase
2672 mm
2590 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
174 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
40 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
211 l
Kerb Weight
1795 kg
1210 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2210 kg
1545 kg
Payload Capacity
420 kg
335 kg
Towing Capacity
1300 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.4 m
5.2 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
950 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
910 mm
900 mm
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Front Track Width
Not Available
-
Rear Track Width
Not Available
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Torsion beam
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Yes
Keyless Entry
Standard
Yes
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Yes
Sunroof
Standard
No
Electric Tailgate
Standard
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Available
-
AC Type
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
K15B/K15C
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Plug-in Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
1462 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Multi-point fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
12.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
73.0 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
85.0 mm
Maximum Power
255 kW @ 5500 rpm
77 kW
Maximum Torque
525 Nm
138 Nm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
4WD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
16.5 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
63.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
114.0 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
90 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
40 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
160 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
20 min
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Gearbox
DHT
4-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
4WD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Part-time 4WD transfer case
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Paddle Shifters
Standard
No
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
4.3
Number of Gears
Hybrid DHT
4
Transmission Type
Automatic
4-speed automatic
Clutch Type
Automatic clutch
Torque converter / CVT
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Electric
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
FWD
4WD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Selectable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Transfer selector
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
No
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox Type
DHT
4-speed automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
2.0
Low Range
Not Applicable
Yes
Axle Layout
FWD
Front and rear driven axles
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Transmission Speeds
Hybrid DHT
4
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Claimed Mileage
100.0 km/l
16.1 km/l
City Mileage
17.4 km/l
16.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
23.0 km/l
19.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
40 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Euro 6 equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Yes
Real-world Mileage
100.0 km/l
16.1 km/l
Charging Port Type
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC/DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
60
40
Combined Driving Range
1200
700
Electric Consumption
18.7
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Available
650 km
Range Real World Mixed
1200 km
600 km
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Airbags
Multiple airbags
6
ABS
Standard
Not Applicable
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Applicable
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Standard
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Not Applicable
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Standard
No
ABS EBD
Standard
Not Applicable
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Applicable
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Applicable
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Park Assist
Not Available
Yes
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Applicable
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Yes
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Seat Material
Leatherette / leather
Fabric upholstery
Heated Seats
Standard
No
Ventilated Seats
Standard
No
Ambient Lighting
Standard
No
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power
Manual adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Leatherette / leather
Fabric upholstery
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Standard
Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
8
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Digital instrument display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
USB-A / USB-C
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
9
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
9
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Standard
Yes
Roof Rails
Standard
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
No
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Approach Angle
Not Available
36 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
47 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
300 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Snow | Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
No
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
ALLGRIP / selectable 4WD
Breakover Angle
Not Available
24 deg
Ground Clearance Max
174 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
174 mm
-
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Tyre Size
235/50 R19
195/60 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
235/50 R19
16
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Manual parking brake
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
CO2 Emissions
Not Available
145 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Service Plan
5 Year / 75 000 km
5 Years / 90000 km
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Ownership Role
range-specific
Suzuki ownership programme
Price Zar
689900 ZAR
437500 ZAR
Pricing Role
range-specific
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Starting Price
689900
437500
Starting Price Zar
689900
437500
Spec
J7 SHS
Jimny 5-Door
Warranty
7 Year / 200 000 km
5 Years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This J7 SHS and Jimny 5-Door comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: J7 SHS 91 vs Jimny 5-Door 42.
Efficiency index: J7 SHS 96 vs Jimny 5-Door 62.
Safety-equipment index: J7 SHS 94 vs Jimny 5-Door 91.
Practicality index: J7 SHS 62 vs Jimny 5-Door 41.
Ownership-cover index: J7 SHS not separately scored vs Jimny 5-Door not separately scored.
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.
Model imagery
J7 SHS and Jimny 5-Door image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
J7 SHS leads by 27 points
J7 SHS has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Jimny 5-Door.
Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
J7 SHS
Performance
91/100
Efficiency
96/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
62/100
Jimny 5-Door
Performance
42/100
Efficiency
62/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
41/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexJaecoo J7 SHS
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 58 pts for Jimny 5-Door
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, J7 SHS leads. However, Jimny 5-Door may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.
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