Verdict
At RM168,800 against RM158,900, the Omoda Jaecoo C9 asks RM9,900 more but is a much larger, stronger and better-equipped SUV: 257 hp/400 Nm, five doors, five seats and 660 litres of boot space. The Suzuki Jimny is the specialist here, not the family wagon, with 100 hp/130 Nm, three doors, four seats and just 85 litres of boot space, but it gets a ladder-frame chassis and part-time four-wheel drive with low range. For most Malaysian households, the C9 is the easier daily answer.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if you want space, power, safety kit and comfort features in one five-seat SUV.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if you prioritise compact size, ladder-frame construction and part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM168,800; Suzuki Jimny RM158,900
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo C9 257 hp/400 Nm; Suzuki Jimny 100 hp/130 Nm
- Driveline: Omoda Jaecoo C9 front-wheel drive; Suzuki Jimny all-wheel drive with part-time 4WD low range
- Size: Omoda Jaecoo C9 4,775 mm long/1,920 mm wide; Suzuki Jimny 3,480 mm long/1,645 mm wide
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo C9 660 litres; Suzuki Jimny 85 litres
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo C9 7 years/150,000 km; Suzuki Jimny 3 years/100,000 km
C9
- Far stronger 2.0 litre turbo output at 257 hp and 400 Nm
- Much more cabin and luggage capacity with five doors, five seats and 660 litres
- Richer driver-assist and convenience kit, including AEB, blind spot monitoring, 360-degree camera and powered boot
- Costs RM9,900 more than the Suzuki Jimny
- Front-wheel drive only, while the Jimny has part-time 4WD with low range
- Higher annual road tax at RM439 versus RM120
Jimny
- Ladder-frame chassis with solid axles and part-time 4WD low range
- Much smaller footprint at 3,480 mm long and 1,645 mm wide
- Lower annual road tax at RM120
- Only 100 hp and 130 Nm versus the C9’s 257 hp and 400 Nm
- Far less practical, with three doors, four seats and 85 litres of boot space
- Much less safety and convenience kit, with no AEB, blind spot monitoring, 360-degree camera or rear parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 168,800 | RM 158,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 257 hp✓ | 100 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 130 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 4AT |
| Gears | 8 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 6.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 140 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 154 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,775 mm | 3,480 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,671 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,250 mm |
| Weight | 1,786 kg | 1,435 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 660 litres✓ | 85 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Drum |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic 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 | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available on Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats with Seat Ventilation | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | — |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker Sound System | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 3 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439 | RM 120✓ |
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.
C9 vs Jimny FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo C9 or Suzuki Jimny better?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is better for most buyers because it has far more power, space, safety kit and comfort equipment. The Suzuki Jimny is better only if you specifically want its ladder-frame chassis and part-time 4WD with low range.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 costs RM9,900 more than the Suzuki Jimny. The gap buys a much larger five-seat SUV with 257 hp, 400 Nm, a 660-litre boot and a longer 7-year/150,000 km warranty.
Which one is more practical for family use?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is much more practical: five doors, five seats, 660 litres of boot space, rear air vents and ISOFIX on the outer rear seats. The Suzuki Jimny has three doors, four seats and 85 litres of boot space.