Suzuki Jimny vs Changan UNI-S

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 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
VS
Changan UNI-S in South Africa

Changan UNI-S

1.5T AT CE Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 469,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 300 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Jimny vs Changan UNI-S: the short answer

UNI-S has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Jimny remains close.

UNI-S starts ZAR 55,000 cheaper Jimny from ZAR 444,900 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Jimny UNI-S
Maximum Power Jimny75 kW @ 6000 rpm UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque Jimny130 Nm @ 4000 rpm UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size Jimny1462 cc UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Jimny15.9 km/l UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance Jimny210 mm UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Jimny

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

UNI-S

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

Which One's Right for You?

Jimny

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

UNI-S

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Jimny UNI-S
Model Introduced Year 2019 2026
Generation 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 First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
Facelift History 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 No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since 2025 Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note Kinetic Yellow, Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Brisk Blue, Chiffon Ivory White, Bluish Black Pearl -
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup -
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 GLX AllGrip AT -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1115 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger car
Spec Jimny UNI-S
Length 3625 mm 4539 mm
Width 1645 mm 1865 mm
Height 1720 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 2250 mm 2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 85 l 475 l
Kerb Weight 1110 kg 1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1435 kg 1825 kg
Payload Capacity 325 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 1300 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 4 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 3 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.9 m 5.66 m
Front Headroom 990 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 910 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 900 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 600 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 167 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Jimny and UNI-S 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: Jimny 29 vs UNI-S 59.

Efficiency index: Jimny 61 vs UNI-S 55.

Safety-equipment index: Jimny 88 vs UNI-S 92.

Practicality index: Jimny 44 vs UNI-S 68.

Ownership-cover index: Jimny 71 vs UNI-S 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.

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

UNI-S leads by 12 points

UNI-S has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Jimny remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 67% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

UNI-S

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 55
Performance 59
Efficiency 55
Safety 92
Practicality 68
Leads by 12 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 UNI-S +30 Efficiency Jimny +6 Safety UNI-S +4 Practicality UNI-S +24

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

UNI-S

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 68/100

Jimny

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan UNI-S leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 57 pts for Jimny

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

Jimny vs UNI-S 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.