Why I chose to buy the Jimny automatic over manual: 9 deciding factors

Took an extensive 60 km test drive covering hills, flat roads and straight highways

BHPian dileep recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As we wanted to check the MT and our dealer Nexa GMS Road did not have one, we called DD Motors on Haridwar Bypass. The RM Ms P.K was very efficient and responsive and we had an extended drive (see attached map) covering almost 60 km consisting of hilly terrain, some flat roads and a straight stretch where we could do about 80 km/h.

Here are some observations:

1. As mentioned by a lot of people here – the MT is notchy. The 1st gear is tough to engage but after that, it’s just about passable.
2. The gear lever vibrates as mentioned but it didn’t bother me since it did not hit my knee at any point and I’m not looking at the lever in any case while driving or otherwise.
3. The clutch is alright – the travel is longer and harder than my Etios but similar to the Alto K10 that we have (BTW shifting gears in the Alto is worse than the Jimny)
4. The footwell is cramped as compared to the AT. With average size Indian feet I was able to stick my left foot just to the left of the clutch, and my knee was leaning towards the gear lever and resting on the gear console, but it wasn’t very comfortable.
5. The car behaves well even at lower speeds (30-40 km/h) with the gear slotted in 3rd or 4th and climbs gentle slopes easily without a shift.
6. I was cruising in 5th at 40-45 km/h and there was no lugging and the engine did not feel strained.
7. Overtaking vehicles doing 50-55 km/h was easy in the 5th gear with throttle input without changing to a lower gear. This might not be possible with the AT.
8. Definitely more eager to run than the AT. But since I am new to AT it might be my driving style.
9. For my wife it was tougher to drive the MT than the AT simply because of the ease of driving an automatic car.

After long deliberations, re-reading fellow BHPian's reviews of the MT vs AT and a lengthy phone call with BHPian HighwayCruizer (who recently bought a Jimny AT and lives in Dehradun with a similar driving geography) we have chosen to go ahead with the AT.

A major part of this decision is to do with the ease of driving especially for my wife since we will have only one car between us. We will lose some of the spiritedness of the MT and some fuel efficiency but I think for the sedate kind of driving we do the AT would suit us better. Also since we are already in our late 50’s, I think 10 years down the line (when knees, etc start to trouble) an AT might work out better.

Our White Zeta AT is arriving very soon at NEXA GMS Road.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.