Comparison: Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Bolero Neo

Well, the much-awaited and long overdue Maruti Suzuki Jimny is here. The 5-door SUV made its global debut at the Auto Expo 2023 after a long hiatus of 3 years since its initial showcase at the Auto Expo 2020. It is one of the most anticipated cars of recent times, thanks to its adorable styling and small footprint despite being one of the most capable off-roaders in the world. It is a lifestyle product and an alternative to the bigger Mahindra Thar in terms of positioning. 

But, Maruti Suzuki is yet to announce the pricing of the Jimny but we do know it is going to be priced competitively and lower than the Mahindra Thar, pitching it directly against Mahindra’s Bolero Neo. So here’s how the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the Mahindra Bolero Neo stack up against each other:

Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Bolero Neo: Dimensions

On paper, it is overtly clear that the Mahindra Bolero Neo trumps the Maruti Suzuki Jimny when it comes to the overall size. It is longer, wider, and sits higher than the Jimny. The Mahindra also features a long wheelbase which will translate to a bigger cabin as well. However, the Jimny is ahead of the Bolero Neo when it comes to ground clearance. Last but not the least, when you look at the boot space, it is clear that the Bolero Neo is the winner here. Also, while the Jimny is a 5-seater, the Bolero Neo has two jump seats making it an occasional 7-seater.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Bolero Neo: Engine & Transmission

The powertrain is how both these SUVs differ the most. For starters, the Bolero Neo is only available with a 1.5-litre diesel engine while Maruti Suzuki only offers the Jimny with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The output figures of both these cars are similar but the Bolero makes more torque (260Nm) as it is a turbocharged diesel engine as opposed to the naturally aspirated petrol engine of the Jimny. The Jimny, however, gets the option of a 4-speed automatic which the Mahindra misses out on.

 The claimed fuel economy figures for the Jimny are yet to be available and the Mahindra delivers 17.2km for a litre of diesel. Overall, being an automatic, the Jimny will clearly be the easier car to drive inside a city.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Bolero Neo: Features & Comfort

As far as features go, both these compact SUVs are neck to neck. Both these cars offer all the basic kit that you expect today. Both cars offer features like cruise control, a music system, a good infotainment system, and adjustable steering. However, the Jimny offers the option of a bigger touchscreen and climate control in its top-spec Alpha variant.  Furthermore, the Jimny is a 4×4 vehicle with an AllGrip Pro AWD system and dedicated mechanicals while the Bolero Neo is a strict 2WD urban SUV. The Jimny is a hardcore offroader and an absolute weapon off the road.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Bolero Neo: Safety Features

Although both these cars are yet to be tested by the GNCAP, we do get a big picture of the safety looking at the table above. With a good margin, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny leads ahead by offering more safety features. The most important feature is the availability of 6 airbags as opposed to just two airbags in the Bolero Neo. The Jimny also offers a whole host of features such as auto headlamps, hill hold control, hill descent control, and even a limited-slip differential making it much safer than the Bolero. 

Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Bolero Neo: Price Comparison

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny’s prices are yet to be unveiled and hence we are unable to give a definitive answer. But speculative prices range between Rs 10 and Rs 12.50 lakhs putting it right in competition with the Bolero Neo. The Jimny will be available in two variants  – Alpha and Zeta while the Bolero gets 4 variants – N4, N8, N10, and the limited edition. 

Summary

The price point of both these SUVs will more or less be similar once Maruti Suzuki officially launches the Jimny in India. However, the similarities of both these cars end there. On one hand, we have the Bolero Neo which is a compact SUV for road use with a 7-seater option making it a good choice for city use. It is also the bigger car here and thereby offering more cabin space and boot space. If you are looking for a frugal diesel engine, the Bolero Neo fits the bill perfectly and will be a good option. But it misses out on some features and a comprehensive safety kit. 

However, the Jimny is drastically different from the Bolero Neo in its use case. The Maruti SUV, although it works well inside an urban setting thanks to its short dimensions, is actually a hardcore mud-plugging off-road SUV with all the rough road kit. It is a legendary name with a lot of history and heritage and thereby making it a weekend toy or a lifestyle product rather than a practical compact SUV. The Jimny is altogether a rounded product as it is good on-road and off-road and most importantly it is more practical, as it is safer and offers better features and the option of an automatic gearbox.