Which is the better off-roader: Suzuki Jimny 5-Door vs. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
More than just strong anticipation from enthusiasts, the upcoming Toyota Land Cruiser FJ also seems to be rather controversial. Previewed at the 10th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) in June, most of social media are pointing out its supposed lack of equipment and older powertrain, along with its price point.
One other model on our market that received similar criticism when it was launched was the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door. This is exactly why we thought, which of these two is the better option, criticism aside.
To be as close as possible to each other’s pricing, we compare the specifications and equipment of the top-spec Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 1.5 GLX, priced at Php 1,698,000; and the entry-level Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 2.7 TX, priced at Php 2,235,000.
Dimensions
If it isn’t obvious yet, the Suzuki Jimny is the smaller of the two. The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is 3,820mm long and rides 210mm above the ground, while the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX is 4,610mm long and rides at least 245mm above the ground. The former can accommodate a total of four occupants, while the latter adds an additional occupant though is still best for just four people.
| Jimny 5-Door GLX | Land Cruiser FJ TX | |
| Wheelbase | 2,590mm | 2,580mm |
| Length | 3,820mm | 4,610mm |
| Width | 1,645mm | 1,855mm |
| Height | 1,720mm | 1,950mm |
| Ground Clearance | 210mm | 245mm |
| Seating Capacity (including driver) | 4 | 5 |
| Tire Size | 195/80 R15 | 265/65 R17 |
Exterior and Interior
Both the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door and Toyota Land Cruiser FJ take on some retro-modern design cues, both on their exteriors and interiors, inspired by older generations of their nameplates. Features-wise, they’re also very similar, with both balancing each other out with what they have and don’t have.
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX in particular, is highly criticized for its lack of front fog lights, and steel wheels instead of alloy wheels. Those steel wheels, however, are wrapped in all-terrain tires, while the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door gets all-season tires.
Standard exterior and interior equipment are as follows:
| EXTERIOR | Jimny 5-Door GLX | Land Cruiser FJ TX |
| Headlights | Automatic Full LED with Manual Leveling | Automatic Full LED with Manual Leveling |
| Taillights | Halogen | LED |
| Fog Lights | Front LED | – |
| Side Mirrors | Power-Adjust and Fold | Power-Adjust and Auto-Fold |
| Side Steps | – | – |
| Wheels | 15-inch alloy | 17-inch steel |
| Tires | Bridgestone Dueler H/L | Yokohama Geolandar A/T |
| Towing Hitch Receiver | – | – |
| Rear Spoiler | – | – |
| Sunroof | – | – |
| Roof Rails | – | – |
| Roof | Body-Colored or Bluish Black Pearl (Optional) | Body-Colored |
| Tailgate | Side-opening (Manual) with Spare Tire | Side-opening (Manual) with Spare Tire |
| INTERIOR | Jimny 5-Door GLX | Land Cruiser FJ TX |
| Interior Color | Black | Black |
| Seat Material | Fabric | Fabric |
| Seat Adjustment | 4-Way Manual | 6-Way Manual |
| Second Row Seat Adjustment | 50:50 Fold | 55:45 Recline and Fold |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather | Urethane |
| Steering Wheel Adjustment | Tilt only | Tilt and Telescopic |
Tech and Convenience Features
Just like some exterior and interior features, both models also balance each other out when it comes to tech and convenience features. The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door still makes use of a traditional in-key ignition, while the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX already gets smart keyless entry and push button start.
Both also come with the same size of infotainment screen at nine inches, with similar features as well. The latter gets two additional speakers for its audio system, and both USB Type-A and C ports, while the former only gets a single USB Type-A port.
| Jimny 5-Door GLX | Land Cruiser FJ TX | |
| Push Button Start | – | With |
| Instrument Cluster | Analog with 4.2-inch Multi-information Display | 7-inch fully-digital |
| Heads-Up Display (HUD) | With | With |
| Infotainment | 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Clinometer, Altimeter | 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Clinometer, Altimeter |
| Audio System (Speakers) | 4 | 6 |
| USB Ports | Type-A (1) | Type-C (2), Type-A (1) |
| Climate Control | Single-Zone Automatic | Dual-Zone Automatic |
| Inside Rear-View Mirror | Day/Night (Manual) | Day/Night (Manual) |
| Wireless Phone Charger | – | – |
Powertrain and Capability
As mentioned earlier, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is heavily criticized because of its 2TR-FE gasoline engine, which dates back to over two decades ago. Equally, the Suzuki Jimny in general has always been criticized for its small and underpowered K15B gasoline engine.
Power-to-weight ratio for both vehicles is similar, and both powertrains are designed with off-roading and reliability as priority rather than straight-line performance. In addition, the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door gets electric power steering, while the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ gets a more traditional hydraulic power steering setup.
| Jimny 5-Door GLX | Land Cruiser FJ TX | |
| Engine | 1.5-liter K15B Inline-four Cylinder Engine | 2.7-liter 2TR-FE Inline-four Cylinder Dual VVT-i Engine |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Power | 102 horsepower | 166 horsepower |
| Torque | 130 Nm | 245 Nm |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 40L | 63L |
| Drivetrain | 4×4 | 4×4 |
| 4×4 Selector | Manual Lever (2H, 4H, 4L) | Selector Knob (2H, 4H, 4L) |
| Front Suspension | 3-link Rigid Axle with Coil Spring | Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Stabilizer Bar |
| Rear Suspension | 3-link Rigid Axle with Coil Spring | Four-Link with Coil Springs and Stabilizer Bar |
| Kerb Weight | 1,205kg | 1,960kg |
| Power Steering | Electric | Hydraulic |
Safety
In the safety department, both models are very similar as well, like pretty much every other vehicle on the road these days. Both don’t get advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) as they are reserved for other variants (Jimny 3-Door GLX and Land Cruiser FJ VX). Compared to the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX gets additional front proximity sensors and an additional driver’s knee airbag.
| Jimny 5-Door GLX | Land Cruiser FJ TX | |
| Advanced Driver-Assist Systems (ADAS) | – | – |
| Cruise Control | With | – |
| Camera | Reverse Camera | Reverse Camera |
| Proximity Sensors | Rear | Front and Rear |
| Airbags | 6 | 7 (Including Driver’s Knee Airbag) |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | With | With |
| Electronic Brakeforce Distribution | With | With |
| Stability Control | With | With |
| Traction Control | With | With |
| Hill Descent Control | With | With |
| Hill Start Assist | With | With |
| Emergency Stop Signal | With | With |
| ISOFIX | With (2nd Row) | With (2nd Row) |
| Anti-Theft | Immobilizer | Immobilizer and Alarm |
Pricing
To reiterate, the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is priced at Php 1,698,000 while the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 2.7 TX is priced at Php 2,235,000. A two-tone paint job adds Php 10,000 to the former, while the premium colors would add Php 15,000 to the latter.
Suzuki Jimny 5-Door or Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX
While these two models are obviously at different size categories, it doesn’t change the fact that they are aiming for the same customer base–the off-road enthusiast. Of course, the end decision on which is better will depend on your own preferences, but from where we see it, the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is already good as is, while the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX is designed to be more customizable, as Toyota says.
And by the looks of it, those who heavily criticize these two models for what they lack may simply not be the target markets. Yes, they are both expensive for what they offer, but both will be good in offering what their market wants–a capable and well-specced off-roader that is also good enough for use when inside the city.
Photos by Julian Panlilio
