Verdict
At RM149,000, the Tesla Model 3 costs RM9,900 less than the RM158,900 Suzuki Jimny, yet brings five seats, a 594-litre boot and a 62.5-kWh battery rated for 534 km. It is also far quicker, with 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The Jimny is the specialist choice: its part-time four-wheel drive with low range, 1,435-kg body and 3,480-mm length suit buyers who need a compact petrol SUV for low-speed rough routes. For daily family use, the Tesla’s 4,720-mm length and 2,089-mm width demand more parking space, but its cabin and boot advantages are decisive.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if you need part-time four-wheel drive with low range in a 3,480-mm-long petrol SUV and can live with four seats and an 85-litre boot.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want the lower RM149,000 entry price, five seats, 534-km EV range and a 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Suzuki Jimny RM158,900; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Powertrain: Jimny 1.5-litre, 100-hp/130-Nm petrol engine; Model 3 279-hp/420-Nm single motor.
- Driven wheels: Jimny part-time four-wheel drive with low range; Model 3 rear-wheel drive.
- Energy use: Jimny 6.8 L/100 km and 40-litre fuel tank; Model 3 62.5-kWh battery and 534-km range.
- Practicality: Jimny has 4 seats and an 85-litre boot; Model 3 has 5 seats and a 594-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Jimny is 3,480 mm long and 1,645 mm wide; Model 3 is 4,720 mm long and 2,089 mm wide.
Jimny
- Part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
- Much shorter 3,480-mm body.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Only four seats and an 85-litre boot, against five seats and 594 litres.
- 100 hp and 130 Nm trail the Tesla’s 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- Lacks the Tesla’s blind-spot system, autonomous braking and reverse camera.
Model 3
- RM9,900 cheaper to buy.
- 62.5-kWh battery with 534-km rated range; 11-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, five seats and six more airbags than the Jimny.
- Rear-wheel drive lacks the Jimny’s part-time four-wheel drive and low range.
- At 4,720 mm long and 2,089 mm wide, it is substantially larger than the 3,480-mm by 1,645-mm Jimny.
- Four-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter than the Jimny’s five-year unlimited-mileage cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM158,900 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM280 |
| 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 | — | 279 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4AT | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Tesla |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 154 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,480 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,645 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,250 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,435 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 3 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 85 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 195/80R15 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/80R15 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Solid Axle with Coil Springs | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Solid Axle with Coil Springs | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Grey Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Grey Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric 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 | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Hill Descent Control | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 & Model 3 for sale
Jimny vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Suzuki Jimny or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the better daily-use choice on price, space, safety equipment, performance and rated range. Choose the Suzuki Jimny only if part-time four-wheel drive with low range and its much shorter body are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 is RM149,000 and the Suzuki Jimny is RM158,900, so the Tesla costs RM9,900 less.
Which has more luggage space, the Suzuki Jimny or Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 has a 594-litre boot, 509 litres more than the Suzuki Jimny’s 85-litre boot. It also has five seats to the Jimny’s four.