New Suzuki Jimny proves Wranglers are overpriced (and Broncos, and Defenders, and everything else)

[00 Trans Ram]

(Make sure you read my last couple of sentences. I might have changed my opinion.)

2021 Jimny costs $20k. Base Wrangler is $29,725. From the video, here are the extras you get for an extra $9,750:

• Push-button start
• Lighted vanity mirrors in sunvisors
• Better infotainment system
• Small multi-function screen in gauges
• Removable doors/top
• 160 more hp
• 2" larger wheels
• Wheel well liners

But, here is the list of things that the Jimny has that you DON'T get in a Wrangler:

• Side airbags
• Auto down AND up windows (at least driver, not sure about passenger)
• Breakdown kit

Frankly, I'd say that lighted vanity mirrors, wheel well liners, and 2" larger wheels are unnecessary (I'll accept arguments on the wheels - I would be happy to run 35s on 15s, though). Then, I'd say that auto-windows cancels out push-button start. And side airbags would cancel out better infotainment system.

That leaves the Jeep with a 160hp advantage and removable doors/top, for an extra ~$10,000. Is it worth it?

(Frankly, when I started this . . . I was thinking "no way". Now that I list it all out, though . . . yeah, probably. I mean, I paid extra for the diesel. I'd probably pay extra for the Wrangler.)

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[John VonJeep]

Lol ok.

 

[MRMDFY]

1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine churning out 101 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque.
And that's the only engine option? Yikes.

Weird to compare that to a Wrangler, but it's a cool option for a $20k toy.

 

[00 Trans Ram]

1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine churning out 101 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque.
And that's the only engine option? Yikes.

Weird to compare that to a Wrangler, but it's a cool option for a $20k toy.

I was kinda thinking that it would do better. I mean, the Jimny on weighs 3000lbs. That's almost 800lbs lighter. But, its 0-60 is like twice as much as the Wrangler. Not sure I could deal with that.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

Looks like a neat assisted suicide device, it'll crumple into the tiniest ball or explode everywhere once a soccer mom plows through it...with you inside it.

 

[Wolfy]

Fun little cheap vehicle. I like it, but it's NOT a competitor to the 2 door JL. Seems like it's a better competitor to the Mahindra. Closer in price, ...but the Mahindra has more power.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I’d look to be a second owner maybe. Let the first owner take the depreciation hit. Looks like a fun toy to thrash. lol

 

[Traveller128]

Those things are hugely popular in other countries. Bulletproof and will go anywhere. But they aren't a powerhouse.

That is the vehicle the Samurai turned into by the way, the Samurai we got here from the '85 to '95 was the second generation Jimny. This one is a 4th gen.

 

[jmccorm]

As soon as I saw the title of this thread, I was going to post that very video to explain why OP was wrong. HA!

The Jimny is a cheap toy. It is appropriately priced. That said, it has little to nothing to do with the price of the Wrangler or the Bronco. They're different class vehicles.

 

[ReimundKrohn]

The Samurai (Jimmy) is not a Wrangler competitor. It has the look but it’s a fraction of the size. Not a bad vehicle, but not in the same class as the Wrangler or Bronco.

 

[Badweissenbier]

Several people I know have the old samurai's and with tires those things really do pretty well in the woods.
I was like wtf the first time I saw them but changed my tune when I saw them flogging the mud holes.

 

[JLUW75]

(Make sure you read my last couple of sentences. I might have changed my opinion.)

2021 Jimny costs $20k. Base Wrangler is $29,725. From the video, here are the extras you get for an extra $9,750:

• Push-button start
• Lighted vanity mirrors in sunvisors
• Better infotainment system
• Small multi-function screen in gauges
• Removable doors/top
• 160 more hp
• 2" larger wheels
• Wheel well liners

But, here is the list of things that the Jimny has that you DON'T get in a Wrangler:

• Side airbags
• Auto down AND up windows (at least driver, not sure about passenger)
• Breakdown kit

Frankly, I'd say that lighted vanity mirrors, wheel well liners, and 2" larger wheels are unnecessary (I'll accept arguments on the wheels - I would be happy to run 35s on 15s, though). Then, I'd say that auto-windows cancels out push-button start. And side airbags would cancel out better infotainment system.

That leaves the Jeep with a 160hp advantage and removable doors/top, for an extra ~$10,000. Is it worth it?

(Frankly, when I started this . . . I was thinking "no way". Now that I list it all out, though . . . yeah, probably. I mean, I paid extra for the diesel. I'd probably pay extra for the Wrangler.)

Probably the most important difference is what you don't see here. I wonder what the crash rating is on this little SUV? How would it do in a side impact or a front overlap impact? Everything you mentioned in your post will probably equal a couple of hundred dollars to a high volume automaker but the value in the price difference is in the structural engineering that the Wrangler has over the Jimny. Suzuki would love to sell cars in the US but they couldn't afford our stringent standards so they pulled out.

 

[wcjeep]

If it was sold in the US I would have test drove it. It's probably enough for some Wrangler owners. The cost of meeting and testing American crash tests, emissions and lighting would also raise the Jimny pricing.

 

[Astro Jeep]

Looks like a neat assisted suicide device, it'll crumple into the tiniest ball or explode everywhere once a soccer mom plows through it...with you inside it.

Dude, it has side airbags! You will be good.

 

[TJJL19]

It's a Suzuki, it needs a

• Breakdown kit

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