Verdict
At RM198,000, the Tesla Model Y costs RM1,950 less than the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door yet delivers 295 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time, against 100 hp, 130 Nm and 17.2 seconds. Its 60 kWh battery is rated for 466 km and can accept 11 kW AC or 175 kW DC charging. The Jimny answers a different Malaysian need: its part-time four-wheel drive with low range, 3,985 mm length and full-size spare suit tight tracks and narrow spaces. But its four seats and 211-litre boot are serious compromises beside the Tesla's five seats and 854 litres.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door if you need part-time four-wheel drive with low range in a 3,985 mm-long SUV and can live with four seats.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want much faster acceleration, five seats, an 854-litre boot and EV driving with 466 km rated range.
Key differences
- Price: Suzuki Jimny 5-Door RM199,950; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
- Performance: Jimny 100 hp, 130 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 17.2 seconds; Model Y 295 hp, 420 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- Driveline: Jimny part-time four-wheel drive with low range; Model Y rear-wheel drive.
- Space: Jimny has four seats and a 211-litre boot; Model Y has five seats and an 854-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Jimny is 3,985 mm long and 1,645 mm wide; Model Y is 4,790 mm long and 2,129 mm wide.
- Energy and tax: Jimny has a 40-litre petrol tank and RM120 annual road tax; Model Y has a 60 kWh battery, 466 km EV range and RM305 annual road tax.
Jimny 5-Door
- Part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
- 805 mm shorter and 484 mm narrower than the Model Y.
- Full-size 15-inch alloy spare tyre.
- Four seats and a 211-litre boot versus the Model Y's five seats and 854 litres.
- 100 hp and 130 Nm make it far slower than the Model Y's 295 hp and 420 Nm.
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
Model Y
- 295 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- 466 km rated range, with 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging.
- Five seats, 854-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
- Rear-wheel drive, while the Jimny has part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
- 805 mm longer and 484 mm wider than the Jimny.
- RM305 annual road tax versus RM120 for the Jimny.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM199,950 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM305 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,462 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 100 hp | — |
| Torque | 130 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 74 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 295 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 60 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4AT | — |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 17.2 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,985 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 1,645 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,590 mm | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,921 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 211 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 195/80R15 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/80R15 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Dueller H/L | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | India (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Solid Axle with Coil Springs | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Solid Axle with Coil Springs | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Steering | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 Jimny 5-Door & Model Y for sale
Jimny 5-Door vs Model Y FAQ
Is the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door or Tesla Model Y better?
The Tesla Model Y is the better choice for pace, passenger capacity, boot space and driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door only if its part-time four-wheel drive with low range and much smaller footprint are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model Y costs RM198,000, which is RM1,950 less than the RM199,950 Suzuki Jimny 5-Door.
Which one is easier to park in tight spaces?
The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is easier to place: it is 3,985 mm long and 1,645 mm wide, versus 4,790 mm and 2,129 mm for the Tesla Model Y. The Jimny also has four rear parking sensors; both have a reverse camera.