The short answer
The Jimny is the lightest and most nimble, with low-range and a small engine. The Thar Roxx is reported to be the strongest on road with more power and a rear locker. The Gurkha is reported to be the most rugged on paper, with diesel, a snorkel and deep wading, but is the rawest to live with.
Choose the Jimny for
- Light weight and agility
- Easy on narrow trails
- Maruti service reach
- Lower running cost
Look at the others for
- More power and a rear locker, Thar Roxx
- Diesel torque and wading, Gurkha
- More space and presence
- Heavier loads or towing
Reported figures
| Area | Jimny 5-door | Thar Roxx | Gurkha 5-door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 L petrol, about 103 hp | Petrol and diesel, up to about 174 hp | 2.6 L diesel |
| Gearbox | Manual or automatic | Manual or automatic | Manual only |
| Rear locker | Not reported | Electronic rear locker reported | Reported on offer |
| Wading | Sources conflict, see note | About 650 mm reported | About 700 mm reported, with snorkel |
| Ground clearance | About 210 mm | About 220 mm | About 233 mm reported |
| Price | Lowest of the three | Middle | Reported near Rs 18 lakh |
Jimny wading figures conflict. One source gives 300 mm and another 600 mm. Treat any figure with caution and see snorkels and water crossings.
How they feel to live with
- Jimny: light, tight turning circle, small engine that works hard on ghats with a load
- Thar Roxx: more power and space, and heavier and wider, so narrow trails need more care
- Gurkha: diesel torque and tough build, but a heavier, more basic feel and a manual-only gearbox
What to weigh
Think about where you drive most. For long road legs and loads, power and space count. For narrow trails and light weight, the Jimny shines. Look at service reach too: a car is only as good as the nearest workshop. Test drive all three if you can, with your usual load.
Pick your priority
Tap what matters most to see which to look at first.
Tap a priority (6 to try)
Look first at Narrow trails
- Verdict
- -
- Details
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Common mistakes
- Choosing from a spec sheet alone. Drive them.
- Trusting wading figures. Walk the crossing.
- Ignoring service reach. Breakdowns far from a workshop are costly.
- Buying for the trail you imagine. Choose for the trips you take.
- Comparing different trims. Match trim, gearbox and year.
A final word. Figures are reported from reviews and maker sources and may be out of date or differ by trim. Confirm every figure with the maker or dealer before buying.