The Suzuki Jimny stands alone, and that’s one of many key causes ready lists have been so lengthy.
If you need a small, rugged off-roader for round $30k, it’s the Jimny or… nothing. It could possibly match into the tightest of parking areas, and it scramble over the rockiest of trails – and it seems nice doing both.
However what if you happen to don’t need to wait six months or extra to take supply of 1? The members of the CarExpert workforce have shared some alternate options it’s possible you’ll need to think about.
Alborz Fallah: GWM Tank 300
Purchase a GWM Tank 300! It seems cooler than a Jimny, has much better creature comforts and doesn’t get blown away by the wind on the freeway. Are you actually by no means going to go off-road anyway?
Jade Credentino: GWM Tank 300
Going to go together with the Tank 300 right here. Alborz beat me to it!
Each time I expertise one, I’m impressed.
Though it’s fairly a major quantity greater than a Jimny, it affords virtually every little thing you’ll want if you happen to resolve to go off-road and get it soiled or keep on highway.
I do know there are numerous Tank 300s kicking round and many being delivered to prospects. New prospects will be capable of get one shortly and begin going off-road with fellow Tank 300 house owners.
It has loads of tech and tools together with each a entrance and rear differential lock (with the Hybrid) which is exceptional except you go into Land Rover, Jeep and Mercedes-Benz territory.
MORE: Purchase a GWM Tank 300
Anthony Crawford: Subaru Crosstrek
Overlook in regards to the GWM Tank 300 – certain it seems cool, however the Jimny tops out at $31,490 plus on-roads, whereas the Tank begins from $55,990+ – so except you’ve simply scooped up a lottery win that’s not going to fly. And, let’s face it, you’re not going rock-hoping or doing any mud slinging however desire a cool wanting automobile for comparable bucks.
Simple, purchase a Hyundai i20N and have a blast – on and off the monitor. However if you happen to actually do must go down a mud monitor – get a Subaru Crosstrek.
MORE: Purchase a Subaru Crosstrek
Scott Collie: Mahindra Scorpio
It’s a Mahindra Scorpio for me.
Given the Jimny is an off-roader, I’ve gone for one thing conceptually comparable. The Scorpio will take you deep into the wilderness, and has the advantage of a diesel engine as an alternative of the, erm, hard-working petrol within the Suzuki.
It’s additionally an even bigger, extra grown up automobile which implies there’s area for your loved ones or mates.
MORE: Purchase a Mahindra Scorpio
William Stopford: Subaru Crosstrek
Sorry, Suzuki, I’ll have talked just a few potential Jimny patrons out of your rugged little SUV through the years.
I’ve the utmost respect for this little tyke, notably the quantity of off-road skill it affords at a low value.
The factor is, although, lots of people who’re swayed by the Jimny’s lovely styling don’t truly plan to take it off highway. Shopping for a Jimny and never utilizing it for what it was designed to do appears a bit foolish. You might as nicely simply add a Liberty Stroll physique equipment with huge wheels like somebody I do know did…
Maybe the thought of going off-road intrigues you. In that case, could I recommend the Subaru Crosstrek?
No, it’s nowhere close to as cute because the Suzuki. The truth is, I wouldn’t name it cute in any respect. However there’s a good quantity of floor clearance right here for a small crossover, plus commonplace all-wheel drive in a section the place that’s not a given. You’ll even have one thing that’s way more comfy on the freeway, and extra sensible if you happen to’re driving multiple different individual round.
MORE: Purchase a Subaru Crosstrek
Jack Fast: Mahindra Scorpio
The Mahindra Scorpio is significantly bigger, plusher and affords 50 per cent extra seats than the Suzuki Jimny, however I’d argue you must no less than think about the Indian-built SUV as a substitute for the tiny Japanese off-roader.
I had the chance to check the Scorpio’s off-road-ability earlier this yr on Indian and Australian soil and it proved to be an absolute mountain goat. My favorite characteristic was the auto-locking rear differential, although it did clunk into motion somewhat loudly and dramatically.
The Scorpio is a greater freeway cruiser than the Jimny with its 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine offering a significantly calmer atmosphere. Should you’ve ever pushed a Jimny at 110km/h you’ll know precisely what I imply.
Should you spend nearly all of your time on sealed surfaces, I do know I’d completely be having a look on the Mahindra Scorpio. A really shut second can be the GWM Tank 300.
MORE: Purchase a Mahindra Scorpio
James Wong: Subaru Crosstrek
The Jimny is cool and all, however I doubt most house owners really want the rugged 4×4 functionality the little Suzuki affords – I see heaps of P-platers driving them within the suburbs of Melbourne, they usually’re all the time clear.
Should you’re adventurous and wish one thing with respectable off-road functionality for comparable cash, I feel the Subaru Crosstrek is a superb decide.
From the bottom stage ($34,990) you get full-time AWD, 210mm of floor clearance and a way more comfy and sensible cabin than the Jimny. You need to spend extra to get the intelligent X-Mode off-road settings, although.
It’s additionally extra highly effective and higher to drive in regular situations than the Suzuki, and on the Australian media launch we took the Crosstrek up some fairly gnarly trails and it held its personal. Very spectacular.