has officially launched the Jimny in the country. The car was initially unveiled at Auto Expo 2023, and now the manufacturer has revealed the pricing for the five-door model. The base variant of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny starts at an ex-showroom price of 12.74 lakh. Bookings for this SUV began in January and deliveries are set to commence today. The poses a significant challenge to the Mahindra Thar as both vehicles are rugged off-roaders. However, one of the key factors that attracted buyers to the Jimny is its availability in a 5-door version, which enhances practicality. In contrast, the Mahindra Thar is only offered as a 3-door model. Given this, many individuals will likely compare and contrast the Thar and the Jimny. Here is a detailed comparison between the two vehicles. Engine specificationsThe Mahindra Thar provides customers with three engine choices. These include a 1.5-liter diesel engine, a 2.2-liter diesel engine, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.5-liter unit generates 113 bhp and 300 Nm of maximum torque. It is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, exclusively driving the rear wheels. Unfortunately, this engine option does not come with four-wheel drive capability. The 2.2-liter diesel engine delivers 128 bhp and 300 Nm of torque, while the 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine produces 148 bhp and up to 320 Nm of peak torque. Both these engines can be coupled with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, they come equipped with a standard four-wheel drive system. In contrast, the is equipped with a 1.5-liter K15B naturally aspirated petrol engine. It generates 103 bhp and 134 Nm of peak torque. Customers can choose between a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Jimny comes with Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro 4×4 system as a standard feature. It’s important to note that Maruti does not offer any turbocharged or diesel engine options for the Jimny. Body styles The Jimny is exclusively available in a 5-door configuration, making it a more practical choice compared to the Thar’s 3-door body style. However, Mahindra does offer the Thar with the option of a hard-top or a soft-top. It is worth mentioning that Mahindra is currently developing a 5-door variant of the Thar, which is expected to be released later this year. DimensionsThe dimensions of the and Jimny differ slightly. The Thar measures 3,985 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width, and 1,850 mm in height. In comparison, the Jimny has the same length of 3,985 mm but is narrower at 1,645 mm and has a height of 1,720 mm. As a result, the Thar has a greater width and height, providing it with a more imposing presence on the road. Another distinction lies in the wheelbase, with the Jimny boasting a longer wheelbase of 2,590 mm, which is 145 mm more than the Thar. However, the Thar has a higher ground clearance of 226 mm. Off-road capabilitiesIf someone is purchasing an SUV primarily for off-roading purposes, they would likely take into account the off-road angles, as they hold significant importance during off-road adventures. In terms of off-road angles, the Thar excels in the approach angle, while the Jimny performs better in the departure angle. Conversely, due to its shorter wheelbase, the Thar offers a superior break-over angle. Features Both SUVs are equipped with similar features such as cruise control, a multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking sensors, Hill Hold Control, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Hill Descent Control. In terms of additional features, the Jimny stands out with its six airbags, engine start/stop button, headlamp washers, automatic LED headlamps, and a larger 9-inch infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. On the other hand, the offers its own set of unique features including adventure statistics, 18-inch alloy wheels, driver seat height adjustment, roof-mounted speakers, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a 7-inch infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. PriceThe base model of Maruti Suzuki Jimny is priced at 12.74 lakh and its top variant (Alpha AT dual tone) costs 15,05,000. The Thar starts at 10.55 lakh for the rear-wheel drive variant and four-wheel drive variants start at 13.87 lakh and go up to 16.78 lakh. All the prices are ex-showroom.