The Maruti Jimny caters to a very specific niche within the Indian SUV segment, being small in size, lightweight and nimble; yet powerful with its 4WD {Four-Wheel Drive} equipment as a default feature as opposed to just appearing to be like a true compact SUV.
Its closest rivals are the Mahindra Thar 3-door, Mahindra Thar Roxx and Force Gurkha. The Thar 3-door is the most popular lifestyle off-roader in this space, the Thar Roxx adds 5-door practicality with serious 4×4 hardware, and the Force Gurkha appeals to buyers who want a more hardcore, old-school off-road machine.
So, if you’re looking for off-roading, which one should you buy? Keep reading to find out.
Jimny vs Thar vs Thar Roxx vs Gurkha: Quick Comparison
| SUV | Best for | Main advantage |
| Maruti Suzuki Jimny | Compact off-roading and city use | Small size, light feel, standard 4WD |
| Mahindra Thar 3-door | Lifestyle off-roading | Strong engines, road presence, 4WD variants |
| Mahindra Thar Roxx | Family use with off-road ability | 5 doors, more space, features and serious 4×4 hardware |
| Force Gurkha | Hardcore trail use | Manual differential locks and high water-wading ability |
When driving in confined areas, the Jimny is the easiest vehicle to manoeuvre. The Thar 3-Door has more of a powerful and assertive feeling while on the road. The Thar Roxx is the most practical everyday all-terrain vehicle. The Gurkha is the best all-terrain vehicle designed for off-road use.
Also Read: Complete Buying Guide: Maruti Suzuki Jimny
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: Size and Practicality
The Jimny is the smallest SUV in this comparison, and that is a big part of its appeal. It can fit through narrow trails, tight village roads and crowded city spaces more easily than its rivals. The downside is that cabin and boot space are limited.
| SUV | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Seating |
| Maruti Suzuki Jimny | 3985 mm | 1645 mm | 2590 mm | 4 |
| Mahindra Thar 3-door | 3985 mm | 1820 mm | 2450 mm | 4 |
| Mahindra Thar Roxx | 4428 mm | 1870 mm | 2850 mm | 5 |
| Force Gurkha | 3-door and 5-door versions | Larger and taller than Jimny | Version-dependent | 4 / 7 seats depending on version |
In terms of size, Jimny and Thar 3-door models are about the same length, but Jimny has a significantly smaller overall width, which is advantageous when trekking off-road and on narrow tracks. Thar Roxx models are larger than the Jimny and offer more room for families. On the other hand, the Gurkha is largest with 3 and 5-door variants that offers more versatility.
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: Engine and Transmission
The Jimny uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine. It is not the most powerful SUV here, but its light body and proper 4WD setup help it feel capable on the off-road. The Thar and Thar Roxx offer stronger engine options, while the Gurkha gets a diesel engine focused on low-speed pulling power.
| SUV | Engine | Power and torque | Gearbox |
| Jimny | 1.5L petrol | 104.8 PS, 134.2 Nm | 5-speed MT / 4-speed AT |
| Thar 3-door | Petrol and diesel options | More powerful than Jimny | Manual / automatic depending on variant |
| Thar Roxx | 2.0L petrol, 2.2L diesel | Up to 177 PS and 400 Nm, depending on variant | 6-speed MT / 6-speed AT |
| Gurkha | 2.6L diesel | 140 PS, 320 Nm | 5-speed MT |
For fast freeway driving or easy overtaking, the Jimny does not perform well. If you’re looking for better road performance, then choose the Thar or Thar Roxx as they are superior to the Jimny. The Gurkha is a more work-oriented vehicle; when you drive it off-road, it will perform slowly due to the diesel engine’s torque and gear ratio.
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: 4×4 Systems and Off-Road Hardware
This is where the Jimny truly shines. While it is smaller and less powerful, it comes with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP PRO 4WD system as standard. That means every Jimny variant gets proper off-road hardware.
| SUV | 4×4 setup | Key off-road hardware |
| Jimny | ALLGRIP PRO 4WD with low range | Ladder frame, rigid axles, brake LSD |
| Thar 3-door | 4WD on select variants | Low range, mechanical locking differential on relevant variants |
| Thar Roxx | 4×4 on diesel variants | 4XPLOR terrain modes, low range, electronic locking differential |
| Gurkha | 4×4 standard | Front and rear mechanically actuated differential locks |
The Jimny is a straightforward vehicle that works well. The Thar has good off-road equipment, but you need to ensure that you select the correct 4WD variant type. The Thar Roxx includes newer electronic aides as well as new terrain modes. The Gurkha uses the older way of having manual locking diffs at both ends, which is beneficial to trail users who use trails with difficult sections.
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: Off-Road Angles, Ground Clearance and Water Wading
Off-road numbers do not tell the full story, but they help explain what each SUV is designed to handle.
| SUV | Approach angle | Departure angle | Ramp-over angle | Ground clearance | Water wading |
| Jimny | 36° | 46° | 24° | 210 mm | Not officially listed |
| Thar 3-door | 41.2° | 36° | 26.2° | 226 mm | 650 mm |
| Thar Roxx | 41.7° | 36.1° | 23.9° | Not listed in the same way | 650 mm |
| Gurkha | 39° | 37° | 28° | 233 mm | 700 mm |
The Jimny has the greatest departure angle, aiding in descending steep grades and clearing obstacles from the rear. The Thar three-door version has good overall numbers and slightly higher clearance. The Thar Roxx has exceptional approach and departure angles for a five-door SUV, but has a much longer wheelbase, which limits ramp-over angle. The Gurkha ranks as having the highest water-wading ability and the best ramp-over angle out of all SUVs here.
Also Read: Jimny Against its Rivals, The Best-Selling Cars
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: Features and Comfort
The Jimny is functional rather than luxurious. It gets useful equipment such as a touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six airbags, hill hold control, hill descent control and brake limited slip differential. But it is still a compact off-roader with limited rear-seat and boot space.
While the Thar has a more powerful engine and greater presence on the road than an equivalent car-based SUV, it is still not the best choice for those looking for practicality in their next family vehicle. The 3-door model limits passenger access to the rear seat, and the ride quality is considerably less comfortable than that of many modern SUVs.
The Thar Roxx is the most feature-rich SUV in this comparison. It offers a more modern cabin, larger screens, connected features, premium audio, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera and ADAS features on select variants. It is also much easier to use as a family car because of its 5-door layout.
Despite improvements throughout the years, the Gurkha still has an unrefined, utility-oriented feel instead of a premium, luxurious look and feel. The Gurkha has off-road ruggedness, and that is what makes it attractive.
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: Safety
The Jimny gets six airbags, ESP, hill hold control, hill descent control, ABS with EBD, brake assist and ISOFIX child seat mounts. It has a solid safety feature list for a compact off-roader.
The key safety features that the 3-door Thar includes are Electronic Stability Program, Hill Hold, Hill Descent Control, Rollover Mitigation, ABS with EBD, and Airbags Bolted in as a set of dual airbags.
The Thar Roxx has the strongest modern safety package here, especially on higher variants. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, which gives it a clear advantage for buyers who want both off-road ability and family safety.
Basic safety features include Airbags and TPMS, but the Gurkha does not have the same level of state-of-the-art active safety technology as the Thar Roxx does.
Jimny vs Off-Road Rivals: Price and Value
| SUV | Price positioning | Value angle |
| Jimny | Around ₹12.32 lakh to ₹14.45 lakh | Standard 4WD in a compact package |
| Thar 3-door | Lower starting price, but 4WD variants cost more | Strong image and powerful engines |
| Thar Roxx | Wider and higher price range | Best mix of space, tech and off-road hardware |
| Gurkha | Around ₹16 lakh and above | Hardcore 4×4 ability |
If you want a compact 4×4 SUV, the Jimny offers good value for your money. However, the 3-door Thar is an excellent option if you want a classic lifestyle off-roader. The Thar Roxx has the best combination of practicality and features. For buyers looking for serious off-road equipment as opposed to comfort and finished details, the Gurkha is the right choice for them.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Jimny if you want a compact, light and easy-to-drive 4WD SUV. It is best for narrow trails, city use and weekend off-roading.
If you prefer to be seen as an off-road adventurer with a strong motor and an imposing appearance, then go for the Thar, which is a 3-door vehicle.
Choose the Thar Roxx if you want a proper off-roader that can also work as a family SUV. It is the most complete option for buyers who need space, comfort, features and 4×4 ability.
If your off-road needs are more serious, then the Gurkha would be the best option. With manual diff locks, superior water-wadding capacity and a ruggedised body, it is designed for serious trail use.
Final Verdict
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny remains one of the most unique off-road SUVs in India. It is not the most powerful or spacious option, but its compact size, light feel and standard 4WD system make it a strong choice for real off-road use.
The Mahindra Thar 3-door version has always been a huge direct competitor. This model has a larger engine and a superior road presence compared to others. The Thar Roxx is an all-dominating vehicle due to its 5-door, modern features and significant 4×4 capabilities. The Force Gurkha is considered by many to be the ‘hardcore’ option, given that it offers front/rear locking differentials and can go through 700 mm of water.
If you want compact off-road simplicity, choose the Jimny. If you want lifestyle appeal, choose the Thar. If you want family practicality with off-road ability, choose the Thar Roxx. If you want the most rugged trail machine, choose the Gurkha.
FAQs
Q. Is the Mahindra Thar still the main rival to the Jimny?
Yes, the Mahindra Thar 3-door is still one of the strongest rivals to the Jimny because both are lifestyle off-road SUVs with proper 4×4 capability.
Q. Is the Thar Roxx a Jimny rival?
Yes, the Thar Roxx is a key Jimny rival because it offers proper 4×4 hardware, stronger engines, 5-door practicality and more modern features.
Q. Is the Force Gurkha better than the Jimny for off-roading?
A. The Force Gurkha has stronger hardcore off-road hardware, including manual differential locks and 700 mm water-wading ability. The Jimny is easier to drive in tight spaces and comes with standard 4WD.
Q. Which is better for city use, Jimny or Thar?
The Jimny is easier for city use because it is narrower, lighter and easier to park. The Thar feels more powerful but is wider and less compact.
Q. Which SUV has the best water-wading ability?
The Force Gurkha has the highest listed water-wading ability in this comparison at 700 mm. The Thar 3-door and Thar Roxx list 650 mm.
Q. Which is the most practical off-road SUV here?
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is the most practical option because it has 5 doors, more cabin space, more features and proper 4×4 capability.
Q. Is Scorpio N a direct Jimny rival?
The Scorpio N 4×4 is worth considering if you want a larger family SUV with 4×4. However, it is not a direct compact lifestyle off-roader rival like the Thar, Thar Roxx or Gurkha.
