VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
75 kW
Torque
250 Nm
130 Nm
Fuel
5.3 l/100km
6.8 l/100km
0-100 km/h
13.1 s
—
Engine
1493 cc
1462 cc
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 75 kW. On fuel, the Carens returns 5.3 l/100km while the Jimny uses 6.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R499 995 for the Carens and R481 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
75 kW
Torque
250 Nm
130 Nm
0-100 kph
13.1 s
—
Top Speed
170 Km/h
140 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1462 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
4
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.3 l/100km
6.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
40 l
CO2 Emissions
139 g/km
158 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4550 mm
3485 mm
Width
1800 mm
1645 mm
Height
1734 mm
1720 mm
Wheelbase
2780 mm
2250 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
210 mm
Kerb Weight
1488 Kg
1130 Kg
Doors
5
3
Seats
7
4
Load Volume
—
85 - 377 - 830 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
200000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
3
4
Service Plan Distance
45000
60000
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
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Better fuel economy (5.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Suzuki Jimny
Lower starting price (R481 900)
Higher fuel consumption (6.8 l/100km)
Less power than rival (75 kW vs 85 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carens or Jimny?
The Carens uses 5.3 l/100km and the Jimny uses 6.8 l/100km 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 75 kW and 130 Nm of torque. The Carens is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Carens and Jimny?
The Carens starts from R499 995 and the Jimny from R481 900. The Jimny is cheaper by R18 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
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.