VS
At a Glance
Power
84 kW
75 kW
Torque
144 Nm
130 Nm
Fuel
6.3 l/100km
6.8 l/100km
Towing
1100 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
12.3 s
—
Engine
1497 cc
1462 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Suzuki Jimny is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 84 kW while the Suzuki Jimny produces 75 kW. On fuel, the Seltos returns 6.3 l/100km while the Jimny uses 6.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R570 995 for the Seltos and R466 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
84 kW
75 kW
Torque
144 Nm
130 Nm
0-100 kph
12.3 s
—
Top Speed
170 Km/h
140 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1497 cc
1462 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
4
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.3 l/100km
6.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
40 l
CO2 Emissions
154 g/km
158 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
3485 mm
Width
1800 mm
1645 mm
Height
1620 mm
1720 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2250 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
210 mm
Kerb Weight
1304 Kg
1105 Kg
Doors
5
3
Seats
5
4
Load Volume
433 l
85 - 377 - 830 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1100 Kg
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ 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
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ 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
4
4
Service Plan Distance
60000
60000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Seltos
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Seltos
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
Jimny
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
More powerful engine (84 kW)
Better fuel economy (6.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Suzuki Jimny
Lower starting price (R466 900)
Higher fuel consumption (6.8 l/100km)
Less power than rival (75 kW vs 84 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Seltos or Jimny?
The Seltos uses 6.3 l/100km and the Jimny uses 6.8 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Seltos 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 Seltos or Jimny?
The Seltos produces 84 kW and 144 Nm of torque while the Jimny delivers 75 kW and 130 Nm of torque. The Seltos is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and Jimny?
The Seltos starts from R570 995 and the Jimny from R466 900. The Jimny is cheaper by R104 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or Jimny?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 1100 Kg and the Jimny can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos 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.