VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
63kW@6000
Torque
250 Nm
110Nm@4100
Fuel
5.3 l/100km
7.2
Towing
—
—
0-100 km/h
13.1 s
14.1
Engine
1493 cc
1328
Choosing between the Kia Carens and the SUZUKI JIMNY is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Carens delivers 85 kW while the SUZUKI JIMNY produces 63kW@6000. On fuel, the Carens returns 5.3 l/100km while the JIMNY uses 7.2 — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R499 995 for the Carens and R184 900 for the JIMNY. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
85 kW
63kW@6000
Torque
250 Nm
110Nm@4100
0-100 kph
13.1 s
14.1
Top Speed
170 Km/h
140
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1328
Engine Layout
inline
LONGITUDINAL INLINE 4
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
UNLEADED
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
MANUAL
Number of Gears
6
5
Drive Wheels
front
ALL
Full Time 4x4
—
✗
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.3 l/100km
7.2
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
40
CO2 Emissions
139 g/km
171
Dimensions
Length
4550 mm
3645
Width
1800 mm
1600
Height
1734 mm
1705
Wheelbase
2780 mm
2250
Ground Clearance
180 mm
190
Kerb Weight
1488 Kg
1070
Doors
5
3
Seats
7
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
—
Load Capacity
—
816
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✗
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✗
Traction Control
—
✗
Airbag Count
6
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✗
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✗
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✗
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✗
Satellite Navigation
—
✗
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✗
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✗
Sunroof
—
✗
Heated Seats
—
✗
Electric Seat Adjustment
—
✗
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
36
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
100000
Service Plan
✓ Standard
S
Service Plan Years
3
—
Service Plan Distance
45000
—
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Carens
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Carens
Fuel Economy
Carens
Value
JIMNY
Practicality
Carens
Pros & Cons
Kia Carens
Better fuel economy (5.3 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (13.1 ss)
Higher starting price
SUZUKI JIMNY
Lower starting price (R184 900)
Higher fuel consumption (7.2)
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carens or JIMNY?
The Carens uses 5.3 l/100km and the JIMNY uses 7.2 on the combined cycle. The Carens is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Carens or JIMNY?
The Carens produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the JIMNY delivers 63kW@6000 and 110Nm@4100 of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Carens and JIMNY?
The Carens starts from R499 995 and the JIMNY from R184 900. The JIMNY is cheaper by R315 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carens or JIMNY?
The Carens has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the JIMNY can tow 0. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carens or the JIMNY?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.