Verdict
At RM165,000, the Renault Zoe costs RM6,100 more than the RM158,900 Suzuki Jimny, but it is the more usable everyday car: five doors, five seats and a 338-litre boot against the Jimny’s three doors, four seats and 85 litres. Its 52 kWh battery delivers a quoted 395 km range, with 22 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging. The Jimny counters with all-wheel drive, low-range transfer gearing and 172 mm more height, but its 1.5-litre petrol motor returns a rated 6.8 L/100 km. Pick by use, not price alone.
Pick the Renault Zoe if you need five seats, a 338-litre boot and a 395 km electric range for regular road use.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if all-wheel drive with low range, a compact 3,480 mm body and a full-size spare matter more than cabin and luggage space.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Zoe RM165,000; Suzuki Jimny RM158,900.
- Powertrain: Zoe has a 108 hp/225 Nm electric motor and 52 kWh battery; Jimny has a 100 hp/130 Nm 1,462 cc petrol engine.
- Driveline: Zoe is front-wheel drive; Jimny is all-wheel drive with part-time four-wheel drive and low range.
- Practicality: Zoe has five doors, five seats and 338 litres of boot space; Jimny has three doors, four seats and 85 litres.
- Size: Zoe is 4,087 mm long with a 2,588 mm wheelbase; Jimny is 3,480 mm long with a 2,250 mm wheelbase.
- Warranty: Zoe has a three-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty plus five years/100,000 km for its traction battery and electric drivetrain; Jimny has a five-year…
Zoe
- 395 km quoted EV range from a 52 kWh battery
- Five seats, five doors and a 338-litre boot
- 22 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging capability
- RM6,100 costlier than the Jimny
- Front-wheel drive; no low-range four-wheel-drive system
- Three-year vehicle warranty versus the Jimny’s five-year unlimited-mileage cover
Jimny
- All-wheel drive with low-range gearing
- Compact 3,480 mm length and 1,720 mm height
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and full-size 15-inch alloy spare
- Only three doors and four seats, against the Zoe’s five doors and five seats
- 85-litre boot is 253 litres smaller than the Zoe’s 338 litres
- Rated fuel use is 6.8 L/100 km, while the Zoe has a 395 km quoted electric range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,000 | RM158,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 100 hp |
| Torque | — | 130 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 108 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 52.0 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 395 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22.0 kW | — |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 | Adaptive 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain | — |
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 Zoe & Jimny for sale
Zoe vs Jimny FAQ
Is the Renault Zoe or Suzuki Jimny better?
The Zoe is better for passenger and luggage duties, with five seats and a 338-litre boot. The Jimny is better when all-wheel drive and low-range gearing are essential, despite its four-seat, 85-litre layout.
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 has the lower annual road tax?
The Renault Zoe has RM50 annual road tax, compared with RM120 for the Suzuki Jimny. That gives the Zoe a RM70 yearly advantage.