Maruti Suzuki Jimny Long Term Review, August 2023 Report

So, the Jimny is finally here. And I can tell you with full conviction that I have never seen my colleagues so eager to see a car (or take it home) on the very first day of its arrival. Of course, our editor-in-chief pulled rank and took the Jimny. However, a few days later, Dhruv was out travelling and made the grave mistake of leaving the Jimny’s keys in the office. So, without any invitation, yours truly pounced upon the opportunity to claim ownership.

When I drove the Jimny at the press drive event in Dehradun, I loved every inch of it. However, first drives don’t give you the entire picture. So, my love for it could well be a case of just holiday romance. Now that the Jimny has joined our long-term fleet, it was time to scratch beneath the surface and see what’s what.

First things first, the price – it’s somewhat of a downer, as I feel it’s a bit overpriced. In fact, I know someone who was all set to buy the Jimny but cancelled plans after the price announcement. And that someone is…me! That said, I’m being forced to reconsider my decision, albeit that has very little to do with how it performs as a ‘product.’

You see, the Jimny is not perfect. The engine feels a bit underpowered on open roads, and the gearshifts are a bit rubbery – we have the manual version. Plus, the steering takes quite some effort at parking speeds, and, then, there’s no space to keep your phone or wallet at the front. Oh, there’s no driver seat-height adjustment as well. And the quality and fit-and-finish levels aren’t exactly ‘premium’ either. Yes, it has that impeccable 4X4 hardware, the ride quality is stellar, its light body makes it a breeze during off-roading. But the moment you put it on the tarmac and use it as an everyday car, it does leave you wanting more.

But, then, there’s one thing that makes the Jimny worth everything. It makes you feel so cool and special. You see it in your driveaway, and you can’t help but smile, which only grows wider as you take it out. As you drive along, you realise that everybody else loves it too. Kids in your neighbourhood love it because it seems to have been made from a Lego set; uncles love it because they think that the good old Gypsy is back; millennials and Gen-Z love it because it’s out-of-the-box cool and contemporary; aunties love it because it’s cute & has got four-doors. In short, it’s the Keanu Reeves of cars – you cannot hate it.

All told, as days go by, I promise I will try to be more objective with these reports. Although that greatly depends on how long I get to keep it with me, and away from the prying eyes of my colleagues. That seems to be the only real problem with the Jimny right now.

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