The Suzuki Jimny and the Jeep Wrangler are two of the few genuine SUVs we have left. Which of the two is more suitable for off-road conditions?
The SUV craze has been imposed on this part for a while to the point that the SUVs of character are a rarity. The increasingly restrictive emissions laws don't help either. 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 country demeanor?
Jeep wrangler
Although the Jeep Wrangler is for sale with two bodies, three and five doors, we are going to talk only about the first, since it is the one that can be most similar to the Suzuki Jimny, it is always knowing that it is two vehicles that play in different leagues. With its 4.29 meters in length, this is an off-road vehicle that offers two different engines, a 272 hp gasoline engine and a 200 hp diesel engine. Therefore, here we have one of the great virtues of Jeep, precisely that diesel engine that, personally, it seems to me more suitable for what we are dealing with today. For the safety reason, people prefer to install Jeep Wrangler led headlights to avoid risk at night when they are off road.
Other features that help the Wrangler to be a beast off the asphalt is its double-beam chassis, to which it adds rigid and lowering axles. Without a doubt, a combination so that no orographic difficulty can resist us. Of course, the luggage to be transported inside the car we will have to choose very well, because the trunk only offers 192 liters of capacity.
The Jeep Wrangler also excels when it comes to off-road benchmark angles. We are talking, of course, about the degrees of entry, exit and ventral 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.
Suzuki jimny
The Suzuki Jimny has its great advantage in the affordability of its proposal. In addition, we will not have to eat our heads about which engine to choose, because it is only available with one, a 102 hp gasoline that can well be associated with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. Traction is total and connectable.
The Japanese is a 3.65 meter long off-road vehicle, whose tailgate gives access to a trunk of just 83 liters of capacity, so it will be necessary to be even more selective than in the Jeep Wrangler with the luggage issue. Of course, if we fold down 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 of the interesting characteristics 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 the data of the wading height.
Which is more country?
To affirm that the Suzuki Jimny is more campero than the Jeep Wrangler or vice versa is impossible. Or, at least, unfair. Both were born by and to perform on surfaces that others could not even 'smell', and in that we have a technical tie. Another thing is if we assess 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 is worth noting 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 face, it has to be the Japanese who is chosen.
