Jimny Vs Vitara

Sometime in the future i'd like to sell my current Jim and ideally get something a little bigger

90's are silly money for the level of comfort and fuel economy, so although i'd love one, can't see it happening.

Anyone with experience of the newer shape swb Vit?
I didn't realise until today that they had a lockable center diff and a low ratio box!

Only thing i don't like is the way the back box hangs down below the bumper

Are they any good offroad? is it a case of stick a decent set of AT's on them and they go most places?
I'm not sure which engine i'd choose... the swb is only available in petrol, so the 2.4 is probably the one to go for.

Hi Adam

the wife's got a 2011 Grand Vitara 2.4 lt manual 3door



compared to the Jimny = quality and comfortable, nippy, better mpg,
permanent 4wd with selectable options
obviously won't go where a Jimny would go, but pretty good traction

check out bits4vits 3dr and 5dr mods

Cant vouch for one in terms of ownership but imo you're not going to gain too much over a jimny in space. They're a bit more roomy but its negligible, little more boot and leg room and better space for a pair of adults without being to cosy up front. Mild off road they cant be much worse than the previous incarnations where exactly as you say good tyres and they'll get about well enough.
The benefit all zuks (and other jap 4x4's of the size) is their light weight, properly driven with good tyres they will do the job where 2t of disco or 90 will ultimately overcome the traction the tyres can provide unless running real aggressive tyres of a good size - in a pay and play environment for the sake of argument. Look about on some of the aussie or SA forums they seem to have embraced the newer models of all zuks where the UK still throw hundreds at keeping an ageing sj going with a load of scaffold tube and diy shackles! (no offence meant)

One big problem that Vits have over Jimny's is that Jimny's are just superior!

The Vit's have what are commonly known as Coke Cans for front CV Shafts ....

Stay with the Jimny - you know it makes sense.

if you want more power offroad, then get a Rocklobster - end of story!

No Hi and low but has a centre diff lock im assuming from that then they are permenant 4WD ? axle diff locks make the diffrence off road centre difflocks are only for permy 4WD set ups a jimny in low box and 4WD would leave it for dead off road IMO :whistle:

I was half interested in one to replace the RAV4, but they seem huge on the outside, and they went through a phase of not having a spare wheel, but I think that the brand new ones have one now, as long as it isn't a stupid space saver :ohmy:

(Got a spacesaver with The Other Car, utterly ridiculous, have had to buy a full size wheel & tyre, but it won't fit in the hole :evil: )