Mumbai

achanta ragarao

•7h

I want to visit Spiti Valley during winter, when there is likely to be light to moderate snowfall. Which vehicle would be a better choice for this trip: the Mahindra Thar or the Maruti Suzuki Jimny?

Autocar India

•15m

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. For Spiti’s narrow, broken mountain roads with light to moderate snow, the Jimny’s small size and low weight make life easier. It is simpler to place on those cliff-edge tracks, its narrow tyres bite better on packed snow, and visibility is excellent. The 4x4 with low range works cleanly, and Maruti’s service reach in Himachal is wider if you do need help.

Be ready for one compromise. The 1.5 petrol loses power at high altitude, so climbs will be slow and you will use lower gears more often. Cabin and boot are smaller too.

If you regularly travel with four adults plus big luggage, or you expect fresh, deeper snow, the Thar’s extra torque and higher clearance give you more headroom. But for a typical winter, Spiti run in light to moderate snow where control and confidence matter more than brute force, the Jimny is the better tool.

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More questions on similar cars

Nikhil Verma

•4d

I am looking to buy something under 20L all-inclusive. I am more or less sure that I am getting an AWD or 4x4 unit. The only 4x4 in this range is the Jimmy; the Thar 3-door does not work for me. In AWD, I also get ADAS, 360 example Victoris. I am not looking to go adventurous, but I am looking for a car to go through all sorts of roads. Is AWD capable enough, or do I have to compromise with Jimmy?

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Marutu Suzuki Victoris AWD, not the Marutu Suzuki Jimny, for what you plan to do. You said no real off-roading, just “all sorts of roads” - broken village stretches, rain-soaked highways, mild slush. The Victoris’ AWD will send drive to the rear when it slips, so you keep moving without the drama, while giving you far better ride comfort, highway stability, space and boot than the Jimny. You also get a more modern cabin and features like a 360-degree camera, and in some trims, ADAS is available.Jimny’s low-range 4x4 only really pays off in deep ruts, rock steps and deep mud. For daily use, it’s slower, bouncier, narrower, and the boot is smaller.One honest catch with the Victoris: AWD won't be as fuel-efficient as the FWD model. If your routes are just rough and unpredictable rather than extreme, the Victoris AWD will suit you fine.

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varun dutt

•2d

I want to buy a family SUV and a perfect off-roader. My budget is 15 lakhs.

Autocar India

•1d

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Jimny; at this price, it is the only real off-roader that can also play the role of a family SUV. It has a proper 4x4 system with low-range, light body and short overhangs, so it is properly capable off-road. A usable back seat makes school runs and city errands easy, and its small size means parking is stress-free. Running costs and service are simple almost anywhere, being a Maruti.Do note, it is a narrow 4-seater with a small boot, making it ideal for a family of four, not five with luggage. The 1.5 petrol engine is fine in the city but feels underpowered on highways.If your budget is a strict on-road Rs. 15 lakh, look for deals on the Jimny Alpha MT or the Jimny Zeta AT.

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ARNAB DUTTA

•1d

Could you please confirm whether KTM plans to launch either the KTM RC 490 or the KTM RC 450 in India? I would like to know if any official launch has been announced or whether either model is expected to enter the Indian market in the near future.

Autocar India

•11h

Neither the KTM RC 450 (currently on sale) nor an expected RC 490 (touted to use a new sub-500cc, twin-cyl platform) are currently confirmed for an Indian launch. The RC 450 is based on the CFMoto 450 SR-S platform and is manufactured by the Chinese brand, so an Indian arrival is all but out of the picture. The RC 490, if it even materialises in the first place, is at least 2-3 years away, if not more.

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