Verdict
At RM165,000, the Renault Zoe is only RM6,100 dearer than the RM158,900 Suzuki Jimny, but the two spend that money in opposite directions. The Zoe is the easier daily car on paper: five doors, five seats, 338 litres of boot space, a 395 km EV range, 22 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging. The Jimny is narrower, shorter and much less practical with 85 litres, but it has all-wheel drive, a ladder-frame chassis and low range. For a Malaysian buyer, this is town EV usefulness against proper rough-road hardware.
Pick the Renault Zoe if you want a five-door electric hatchback with 395 km of range, more cabin flexibility and a far bigger 338-litre boot.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if you need all-wheel drive, low range, a ladder-frame chassis and the simplicity of a 1.5 litre petrol SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Zoe RM165,000; Suzuki Jimny RM158,900
- Output: Renault Zoe motor 108 hp/225 Nm; Suzuki Jimny 1.5 petrol 100 hp/130 Nm
- Driveline and chassis: Renault Zoe front-wheel drive unibody; Suzuki Jimny all-wheel drive ladder-frame with low range
- Size: Renault Zoe 4,087/1,787/1,562 mm; Suzuki Jimny 3,480/1,645/1,720 mm
- Seats and boot: Renault Zoe 5 seats and 338 litres; Suzuki Jimny 4 seats and 85 litres
- Road tax: Renault Zoe RM50/year; Suzuki Jimny RM120/year
Zoe
- 395 km EV range with 22 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging
- Five doors, five seats and 338 litres of boot space
- Gets lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, auto wipers and a full LCD instrument cluster
- RM6,100 more expensive than the Jimny
- Front-wheel drive only, with no low range
- No listed spare tyre against the Jimny’s full-size 15-inch alloy
Jimny
- All-wheel drive, low range and ladder-frame construction
- Taller body at 1,720 mm versus the Zoe’s 1,562 mm
- Full-size 15-inch alloy spare and all-terrain Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tyres
- Only 85 litres of boot space against the Zoe’s 338 litres
- Three doors and four seats versus the Zoe’s five doors and five seats
- Higher RM120 yearly road tax and 6.8 L/100 km petrol use versus the Zoe’s RM50 EV road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 165,000 | RM 158,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 100 hp |
| Torque | — | 130 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 108 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 52.0 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 395 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22.0 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS2 | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 4AT |
| Gears | 1 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Renault | 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 | 4,087 mm | 3,480 mm |
| Width | 1,787 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,588 mm | 2,250 mm |
| Weight | 1,502 kg | 1,435 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 338 litres✓ | 85 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/55R16 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/55R16 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiEcoContact 5 | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | France (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Drum |
| Steering | Rack And 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 and Passenger, Front Side | 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat, two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Easy Link with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 50✓ | 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.
Zoe vs Jimny FAQ
Is the Renault Zoe or Suzuki Jimny better?
For daily Malaysian use, the Renault Zoe is better if you can charge at home or work: it has five doors, five seats, 338 litres of boot space and 395 km of range. The Jimny is better only if all-wheel drive and low range matter.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Zoe costs RM165,000 and the Suzuki Jimny costs RM158,900, so the Zoe is RM6,100 more expensive.
Which one has more space?
The Renault Zoe has more usable space. It has five seats and 338 litres of boot space, while the Suzuki Jimny has four seats and just 85 litres of boot space.