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Toyota Glanza ownership review: 2 years & 25,000 km of blissful driving

11th December 2024, 10:33 by Rahul Nagaraj

The transition to an automatic has been a boon, and the car has met all my expectations over the last two years.

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Introduction
After owning multiple manual transmission cars over the years, I made the switch to an automatic with the Toyota Glanza S AMT in October 2022. Two years and 25,000 km later, I can confidently say it was one of my best decisions. This review is my attempt to share my ownership journey, highlight the car’s strengths and weaknesses, and provide insights for anyone considering the Glanza.

Likes & Dislikes
Likes:

Smooth and reliable AMT with manual mode for added control.
Stable and confident performance at triple-digit speeds.
Fuel-efficient engine, perfect for city and highway use.
Adequately equipped "S" variant – no frills, no unnecessary features.
Spacious and well-thought-out interiors with excellent visibility.

Dislikes:

Reverse camera not included as standard.
Factory audio system could use better tuning.
AMT’s slight lag in stop-go traffic (common with AMTs).
Coming from a WagonR, in some really bad roads or those HUGE Spead brakers and full load in the car, it bottom's out. (Hurts when that happens )

Car History & Alternatives Considered

Before the Glanza, I owned:

Tata Nano LX (2011–2016): My first car, compact and affordable for city commutes.
Maruti Wagon R LXi CNG (2016–2022): My workhorse with great fuel economy.
While considering the Glanza, I also evaluated the Maruti Baleno AMT (essentially the same car), Hyundai i20 CVT, and Tata Altroz DCA. The Glanza stood out for its value-for-money proposition and Toyota’s legendary service reputation. Also 2022 was the time when there was huge waiting periods especially due to chip shortages. Baleno AMT had a waiting period of upto 6 months and Glanza S variant and the color I wanted was readily available

Usage & Driving Experience
Usage Pattern:

Daily city commutes of ~40 km in moderate traffic.
Monthly highway trips to nearby destinations like Mahabaleshwar, Nashik, and Lonavala.
Driving in the City:
The AMT performs admirably in city traffic, with seamless shifts when driven gently. The creep function is handy in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Highway Experience:
The manual mode shines on highways, offering precise control during overtakes and steep climbs. The car remains stable even at 110–120 km/h, with no nervousness or floatiness. Honestly our roads and other vehicles on the road, no one should drive beyond 120 kmph, no matter how good a driver you are or whether your car is the safest.

Engine & Transmission
The 1.2L K-Series engine is refined, peppy, and efficient. With the AMT, the shifts are smooth for the most part, although there’s a slight lag when accelerating aggressively from a standstill. The manual mode adds a layer of engagement, holding gears till I decide to shift, which I find useful on highways.

Ride & Handling
The suspension is well-tuned for Indian roads, offering a good balance between comfort and stability. Even over broken patches, the ride remains composed. Handling is predictable, and the steering, though light, offers decent feedback at higher speeds.

Features & Equipment
The S variant strikes the right balance:

Key features: Touchscreen infotainment, rear defogger, and steering-mounted controls.
Misses: No reverse camera (I added one aftermarket).
Cosmetic omissions like chrome inserts and a HUD are not missed.

Interiors & Space
The cabin feels airy and well-built for the price point. Front and rear seats are comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom. Boot space is adequate for a small family.

Upgrades Added:

Custom seat covers for durability - 9k
NEXDIGITRON A3 Car Dash Camera - 4k
Blaupunkt reverse camera for parking assistance (fitted at Toyota Dealership) - 5k
Wheel caps painted from plain boring provided as std to Black with silver highlighting - 2k - Looks Dope

Fuel Efficiency
City: 16–17 km/l.
Highway: 20–21 km/l (with moderate driving).

Maintenance & Service
Toyota’s service has been stellar. Routine servicing costs are reasonable (~₹5,000 per service). No niggles or issues have cropped up so far, reflecting Toyota’s reliability.

Final Verdict
The Toyota Glanza S AMT is a practical, no-nonsense hatchback that excels in city commutes and occasional highway runs. The transition to an automatic has been a boon, and the car has met all my expectations over the last two years. For those seeking a reliable, fuel-efficient, and spacious hatchback with Toyota’s peace of mind, the Glanza is a solid choice.

I will let pictures do the talking

1. Tata Nano LX - sold at 33k kms

2. WagonR - the workhorse - Sold at almost 1 lakh kms. Cheapest to run. Bought when CNG was Rs.42 / kg/ and sold when CNG was around Rs 95/ kg

3. Glanza, clicked during PDI

4. During delivery, celebrations with family!

5. Enroute Malshej Ghat

6. Interior, after seat cover upgrade

7. Before and After getting the wheel covers spray painted at an FNG (Color of the car appears different due to camera and natural light. I have not changed the car color)