The manual gearbox has an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure of 16.94 km/l whereas the ARAI-certified mileage of the automatic is 16.39 km/l.
BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Earlier this month, the Maruti Jimny was launched in India (read the full review here). The offroader is available with only one engine – a 1.5L, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol unit that develops 103 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 134 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. However, Maruti has provided a choice of two transmissions – manual and automatic. Both transmissions come with a four-wheel drive transfer case.
The manual transmission is a 5-speed unit. The MT version of the Jimny is cheaper than the AT by Rs. 1.2 lakh. Additionally, it has a better ARAI-certified FE figure (16.94 km/l). On the flip side, the gearshift is heavy and notchy. The clutch is heavy too. Also, because of the three pedals, the footwell is cramped.
The automatic transmission is an old 4-speed torque converter unit. While 4-speed sounds old today, one must remember that this transmission has been around for a long time and is extremely reliable. It is also smooth in operation, which should make the Jimny easier to drive especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic. However, as mentioned earlier, the Jimny AT is more expensive to buy and has a lower ARAI-certified FE figure (16.39 km/l) than the MT.
So which transmission would you choose?
Here’s what GTO had to say about the matter:
Jimny AT, without a doubt.
For one, I’ve given up on MTs entirely (unless it’s a sports car). Second, the Jimny’s AT might be antique & outdated (“OD” button from the ’90s included, “L” mode, no manual mode), but it is smooth, has proven its reliability and is quite satisfactory within the city.
Does the job. The AT is the one I’d buy with this sexy car.
Here’s what BHPian HappyWheels had to say about the matter:
AT all the way, especially if you are a newbie to off-roading.
Those few times that you might take it off-road, you reduce the chances of burning out your clutch by multiple factors just by this decision, as taking it off-road will be one major criteria for this purchase.
This pure-blood off-roader is going to see a lot of uneducated abuse by many newbie owners and even at the service center. Going with the AT will honestly save at least the clutch.
Here’s what BHPian shancz had to say about the matter:
Voted for the AT and I still can’t believe it.
My Gypsy memories are of 2-3 variants all with that signature engine-transmission noise and bouncing around in the front seat. I never imagined nor would I ever get an AT in that.
But the Jimny is different, I have seen a couple on the road and parked around. I know it’s a thorough no-nonsense off-roader but it has a sophisticated and urban vibe to it.
Very rare vehicles can carry the fluorescent yellow/green shade and the Jimny carries it with elegance, and for that very reason it’s at the top of the lifestyle vehicle list for me and if it ever happens, why not go all in and get the bulletproof 4-speed Ancient Transmission I (and we) have cribbed so much about on the S-Cross.
Life has indeed come a full circle.
Here’s what BHPian karanddd had to say about the matter:
The manual without a doubt. It’s an old-school car with an old-school charm. A manual really suits it. Especially because its engine doesn’t make much power, I would love to have the ability to redline it in every gear in case I need to go fast (lol). A sluggish 4-speed AT is likely to make a slow car feel even slower.
Here’s what BHPian astrodex had to say about the matter:
Honestly, I would have preferred a AT with more cogs, but given the options, it would be the AT. Jimny is not a fast mover anyway to make much difference between the two options, and the AT will make it a little better for city drives and make life easier during offroading for everyone except the experts. Also, most of the reviews have said the manual is quite notchy compared to other Suzuki vehicles. The only time manual would make sense is if you have a lot of highway miles since it would be a bit more relaxed than AT at 100km+ speeds.
Keyword: Maruti Jimny MT vs AT: Which transmission would you buy?