The Suzuki Jimny and the Jeep Wrangler are two of the few genuine off-roaders we have left. Which of the two has a more suitable character for off-road conditions?
SUV fashion has been imposed for some time now to the point that character SUVs are a rarity. Nor do the increasingly restrictive laws regarding emissions help. But at least we still have models like the Jeep Wrangler or the Suzuki Jimny to enjoy the purest off-road driving. What if we compare both vehicles? Which of the two can be said to have a more camp behavior?
Although the Jeep Wrangler is for sale with two bodies, three and five doors, we are going to talk only about the first one, since it is the one that can most resemble the Suzuki Jimny, always knowing that these are two vehicles that play in different leagues. With its 4.29 meters in length, this is an SUV that offers two different engines, a 272 hp petrol engine and a 200 hp diesel one. As we know, the off-raod accessories like
Jeep Wrangler led headlights are popular and important. Here we therefore have one of the great virtues of the Jeep, precisely that diesel engine that, personally, it seems to me more suitable for what we are dealing with today.
Other features that help the Wrangler to be a beast off the road is its double beam chassis, to which it adds rigid axles and a reduction gear. Without a doubt, a combination so that no orographic difficulty can resist us. Of course, the luggage to be transported inside the car will have to be chosen very well, because the trunk only offers 192 liters of capacity.
The Jeep Wrangler also excels when it comes to off-road reference angles. We are talking, of course, about the entry, exit and ventral degrees that it offers, which are 37, 31 and 26 degrees respectively. We also have a ground clearance of 26 centimeters, while the wading height is 76 centimeters.
The Suzuki Jimny has its great advantage in the affordability of its proposal. In addition, we will not have to worry about which engine to choose, because it is only available with one, a 102 hp gasoline power that can be associated with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission. Traction is total and connectable.
The Japanese is an SUV of 3.65 meters in length, whose tailgate gives access to a trunk of just 83 liters of capacity, with which it will be necessary to be even more selective than in the Jeep Wrangler with the issue of luggage. Of course, if we lower the rear seats this figure grows to 377 liters. Regarding the chassis, it is made of stringers and crossbars, in addition to having a reducer.
Another interesting feature of the current Suzuki Jimny is a ground clearance of 21 centimeters, a figure somewhat lower than that of its 'rival' today, but which gives way to others in which it exceeds it. We are talking about the entry angle, 37 degrees, the exit angle, 49, and the ventral angle, which goes up to 28. We do not have data on the wading height.
To affirm that the Suzuki Jimny is more camp than the Jeep Wrangler or vice versa is impossible. Or, at least, unfair. Both have been born for and to perform on surfaces that others could not even 'smell', and in that we have a technical tie. Another thing is if we value which of the two cars is better or more complete. There I think we will all agree that the Wrangler takes the cake, but it should not be forgotten that its starting price exceeds 50,000 euros, while that of the Jimny remains at 17,000. So, if we look at the relationship between what it offers and the cost to be faced, the Japanese has to be the chosen one.