Verdict
At RM158,900, the Suzuki Jimny costs RM39,100 less than the RM198,000 Toyota Urban Cruiser and brings all-wheel drive with low range, a full-size spare and a much shorter 3,480 mm body. That is the better tool for rough access tracks. The Urban Cruiser is the more practical daily Malaysian car: five doors, five seats and a 306-litre boot against the Jimny’s three doors, four seats and 85 litres. Its 172 hp electric motor, 61.1 kWh battery and 426 km range also make it the stronger commuter, provided charging suits your routine.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if low-range four-wheel drive, compact dimensions and a full-size spare matter more than passenger and luggage space.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if you need five seats, a 306-litre boot, 426 km EV range and a far fuller safety and convenience kit.
Key differences
- Price: Suzuki Jimny RM158,900; Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000.
- Powertrain: Jimny 100 hp/130 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine; Urban Cruiser 172 hp/193 Nm electric motor.
- Driveline: Jimny all-wheel drive with low range; Urban Cruiser front-wheel drive.
- Size: Jimny 3,480 mm long with a 2,250 mm wheelbase; Urban Cruiser 4,285 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase.
- Practicality: Jimny has 3 doors, 4 seats and an 85-litre boot; Urban Cruiser has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 306-litre boot.
- Wheels and spare: Jimny gets 15-inch wheels and a full-size 15-inch alloy spare; Urban Cruiser gets 18-inch wheels and a tyre repair kit.
Jimny
- RM39,100 cheaper.
- All-wheel drive with low range.
- Full-size alloy spare tyre.
- Only 3 doors and 4 seats versus the Urban Cruiser’s 5 doors and 5 seats.
- 85-litre boot is 221 litres smaller.
- 100 hp and 130 Nm trail the Urban Cruiser’s 172 hp and 193 Nm.
Urban Cruiser
- 426 km EV range from a 61.1 kWh battery.
- 306-litre boot, five seats and five doors.
- Seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision braking and a 360-degree camera.
- RM39,100 more expensive.
- Front-wheel drive lacks the Jimny’s low-range all-wheel-drive system.
- Tyre repair kit replaces the Jimny’s full-size spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM158,900✓ | RM198,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,462 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 100 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 130 Nm at 4,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 74 mm × 85 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 172 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 61.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4AT | — |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 150 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 154 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,480 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,645 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,250 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,435 kg | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 85 litres | 306 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 195/80R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/80R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Alloy | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Solid Axle with Coil Springs | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Solid Axle with Coil Springs | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Grey Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Grey Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 3 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Hill Descent Control | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Jimny & Urban Cruiser for sale
Jimny vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Suzuki Jimny or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is better for daily family use, with five seats, a 306-litre boot, 426 km EV range and more safety equipment. The Suzuki Jimny is better if low-range all-wheel drive and compact off-road access are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser costs RM39,100 more than the Suzuki Jimny.
Which one is better for rough roads?
The Suzuki Jimny is the clear choice for rough roads because it has all-wheel drive with low range, solid axles with coil springs and a full-size spare tyre. The Urban Cruiser is front-wheel drive and has a tyre repair kit.
