First Drive & Impressions: Maruti SX4 Automatic (AT)

shankar.balan · 17th February 2010, 11:08

my friend in Australia (also a TBHP member) says the same - SX4 there comes with a 2 litre petrol engine and priced/compared with Toyota Corolla Altis.
(In other words the Altis there is considerably less expensive than it is here in India.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

How big is the SX4 interior? In the US, they put a 140 bhp engine in it and its priced similar (and compared) to an Altis.

GeekSrik · 17th February 2010, 13:51

Do anyone know the mileage of Sx4 AT please?

NevGin · 17th February 2010, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippy

On another note this 4 speed box in a Swift would be fantastic. I see a lot of potential in a Swift AT. Hope the guys at Maruti are reading this.

As well said as it could have been. Yes Dippy, if they are not reading this post please let us make them. Superb potential. We have 8 i10's parked at my office 4 of which are auto boxes. Tremendous potential for an AT on the Swift.

ruchirtnt · 18th February 2010, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeekSrik

Do anyone know the mileage of Sx4 AT please?

it will be slightly less than standard SX4, which will be around 10- 11 and also a lot depends upon driving

GTO · 18th February 2010, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevGin

As well said as it could have been. Yes Dippy, if they are not reading this post please let us make them. Superb potential. We have 8 i10's parked at my office 4 of which are auto boxes. Tremendous potential for an AT on the Swift.

Bingo! If only Maruti would realise. A mass market player also needs to carve out certain niches, to keep its loyal customers within the family. Related post from another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Maruti takes their own sweet time in responding to market trends. Remember their stand on diesels? They lobbied against diesel passenger cars so hard at one time.....only to adopt the "if you can't beat them, join them" line of thought eventually. With Fiat diesels. Another example : Tata, Hyundai and Chevy have already displayed their electric hatchbacks. Anything from India's largest player yet? Nope.

They still believe automatics have no future in India and that, whoever wants an automatic is happy with the WagonR. What a lousy 3 speed auto that car has! They'll come around. Hopefully not too late.

Zero Cool · 18th February 2010, 20:14

SX4 AT seems like probably the most sensible of AT's out there. Reasonably priced and powered, good looks and goodies and a good service backup. Should also fetch more at resale when compared to AT's from Hyundai. I really wish if some more owners of thsi car could chip in with their experiences.

ruchirtnt · 22nd February 2010, 12:37

i had a experience on this car as my cousin owns it, he is more than satisfied with it, whether it is being a maruti car, low on maintenance, mileage also good around 11 and rest features are also good,

B103 · 1st March 2010, 14:09

Gear shifting in an AT tranny involves a host of different technologies which I frankly suspect if Suzuki and Hyundai have mastered like Honda,Toyota or GM. That way, there is a small risk involved when buying AT cars from Maruti or Hyundai.

Samurai · 2nd March 2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by B103

Gear shifting in an AT tranny involves a host of different technologies which I frankly suspect if Suzuki and Hyundai have mastered like Honda,Toyota or GM. That way, there is a small risk involved when buying AT cars from Maruti or Hyundai.

Are you telling us that Suzuki-USA and Hyundai-USA have been selling compromised auto-transmissions all these decades?

I thought it was only Maruti that was handing out their silly 3-speed AT to Indian public. I had thought they had corrected that in SX4 by bringing in the Suzuki 4-Speed AT box. Didn't know Suzuki AT was also bad.

This is a very serious problem, can you please provide the links to the history of recalls and court cases against them. I knew about the Suzuki Samurai/Sidekick rollover problem, but auto-transmission problem is news to me. I had lot of friends/colleagues in US who owned Sonata/Elantra/Tucson/Grand Vitara, but none had come across any problem with their AT box.

In fact, I have a Santro AT which will complete 7 years this July. So far no issues, touch wood. What are the general signs of trouble? Please provide some links if possible.

phantom76 · 10th July 2010, 18:12

I took a test drive of SX4 AT yesterday. The low end torque was very good and felt very comfortable driving in the land of speed breakers.

But when I took it on the highway, I felt one very odd behavior. Even though I was driving at a constant speed of 110 KM, there was some jerkiness from the engine once in a while as if some gear change is happening. The sales guy was not able to explain this behavior. I have owned automatics in the US and don't remember coming across such a phenomenon. The other people sitting in the car could also sense this.

Any comments from SX4 AT owners about this?

Akshay1234 · 10th July 2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom76

I took a test drive of SX4 AT yesterday. The low end torque was very good and felt very comfortable driving in the land of speed breakers.

But when I took it on the highway, I felt one very odd behavior. Even though I was driving at a constant speed of 110 KM, there was some jerkiness from the engine once in a while as if some gear change is happening. The sales guy was not able to explain this behavior. I have owned automatics in the US and don't remember coming across such a phenomenon. The other people sitting in the car could also sense this.

Any comments from SX4 AT owners about this?

It was probably the torque converter locking, so that better mileage is achieved.

Dr.AD · 28th July 2010, 10:18

This is not particular to the AT model, but since there is no other open thread on generic SX4-VVT test drive, I am posting it here.

Maruti has made some more minor changes/improvements in SX4-VVT model. I have been test driving this car since the VVT was launched. I had obtained a brochure on SX4-VVT in April 2010 and I got another one now in July 2010. I noticed that the July brochure mentions two changes:

1. *New* Broader arm rest on rear seat
2. *New* Improved power steering

Since the April brochure does not mention this, these changes happened sometime between April and July.

I saw some new cars with broader arm rest, and it is really much better ergonomically. So it is a good and useful change. However, I could not test drive any car with "improved" power steering. All test drive cars are April or earlier models, so they don't have this change. I am curious to know what is the improvement in power steering and whether it is just some insignificant thing or actually a measurable improvement. However, Maruti dealers do not seem to be aware of the details.

Has anybody test driven the latest car with these changes, and if so, did you find any noticeable difference in power steering?

Thanks,
-AD

a. kumar · 2nd December 2010, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by anilkalvani

Woohoo way to go Dippy, was waiting for a review, you got it. Just waiting for the AT FE figures too.

Hi folks,
i got a new SX4 AT, done about 700kms. It has given 9kms/litre in city driving.
The thick A pillar in front is a nuisance & blocks front(side)
Otherwise, the experience so far has been good. The car is stable, gives a solid feeling & has good driveability.
More feedback after i have driven it some more.
Kumar

kpbhatt · 16th August 2011, 16:16

I recently went to the near by dealer looking for an SX4 AT -- was discouraged by the salesman from taking an AT. He was prodding me to go for a Petrol or Diesel MT. I am taking the office cab and the drive is 30kms one way. Since there is dearth of good diesel AT models ( the new Verna has a 9 month wait and the dealer is unwilling to book one) and the Petrol Verna is available with a wait of 45 days and is feels claustrophobic in the rear seat, I am edging towards the SX4 Petrol AT. The salesman said it would take 4-6 months of wait since its a made to order car -- can anyone corraborate if this is indeed the case with SX4 AT?

vishsharma · 10th September 2011, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpbhatt

I recently went to the near by dealer looking for an SX4 AT -- was discouraged by the salesman from taking an AT. He was prodding me to go for a Petrol or Diesel MT. I am taking the office cab and the drive is 30kms one way. Since there is dearth of good diesel AT models ( the new Verna has a 9 month wait and the dealer is unwilling to book one) and the Petrol Verna is available with a wait of 45 days and is feels claustrophobic in the rear seat, I am edging towards the SX4 Petrol AT. The salesman said it would take 4-6 months of wait since its a made to order car -- can anyone corraborate if this is indeed the case with SX4 AT?

I am hearing this for the first time that SX4 has got waiting period. i own a SX4 AT and got in no time, basically. i am OK with the car since my daily run is ~ 35 Kms. it is fun to drive an AT in traffic conditions, but somehow i am not convinced w/ and AT vehicle on a highway. i am never comfortable to quicky rev up while overtaking... maybe its my first AT experience.

17th February 2010, 13:51	#47
GeekSrik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,281 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	Do anyone know the mileage of Sx4 AT please?
	() Thanks

18th February 2010, 20:14	#51
Zero Cool BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 202 Thanked: 6 Times	SX4 AT seems like probably the most sensible of AT's out there. Reasonably priced and powered, good looks and goodies and a good service backup. Should also fetch more at resale when compared to AT's from Hyundai. I really wish if some more owners of thsi car could chip in with their experiences.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2010, 12:37	#52
ruchirtnt Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,065 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	i had a experience on this car as my cousin owns it, he is more than satisfied with it, whether it is being a maruti car, low on maintenance, mileage also good around 11 and rest features are also good,
	() Thanks

1st March 2010, 14:09	#53
B103 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 429 Thanked: 311 Times	Technology Gear shifting in an AT tranny involves a host of different technologies which I frankly suspect if Suzuki and Hyundai have mastered like Honda,Toyota or GM. That way, there is a small risk involved when buying AT cars from Maruti or Hyundai.
	() Thanks

10th July 2010, 18:12	#55
phantom76 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 88 Thanked: 2 Times	I took a test drive of SX4 AT yesterday. The low end torque was very good and felt very comfortable driving in the land of speed breakers. But when I took it on the highway, I felt one very odd behavior. Even though I was driving at a constant speed of 110 KM, there was some jerkiness from the engine once in a while as if some gear change is happening. The sales guy was not able to explain this behavior. I have owned automatics in the US and don't remember coming across such a phenomenon. The other people sitting in the car could also sense this. Any comments from SX4 AT owners about this?
	() Thanks

28th July 2010, 10:18	#57
Dr.AD Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bangalore/Pune Posts: 1,803 Thanked: 18,628 Times	Some minor improvements in SX4 This is not particular to the AT model, but since there is no other open thread on generic SX4-VVT test drive, I am posting it here. Maruti has made some more minor changes/improvements in SX4-VVT model. I have been test driving this car since the VVT was launched. I had obtained a brochure on SX4-VVT in April 2010 and I got another one now in July 2010. I noticed that the July brochure mentions two changes: 1. New Broader arm rest on rear seat 2. New Improved power steering Since the April brochure does not mention this, these changes happened sometime between April and July. I saw some new cars with broader arm rest, and it is really much better ergonomically. So it is a good and useful change. However, I could not test drive any car with "improved" power steering. All test drive cars are April or earlier models, so they don't have this change. I am curious to know what is the improvement in power steering and whether it is just some insignificant thing or actually a measurable improvement. However, Maruti dealers do not seem to be aware of the details. Has anybody test driven the latest car with these changes, and if so, did you find any noticeable difference in power steering? Thanks, -AD
	() Thanks

16th August 2011, 16:16	#59
kpbhatt BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 349 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Re: First Drive & Impressions: Maruti SX4 Automatic (AT) I recently went to the near by dealer looking for an SX4 AT -- was discouraged by the salesman from taking an AT. He was prodding me to go for a Petrol or Diesel MT. I am taking the office cab and the drive is 30kms one way. Since there is dearth of good diesel AT models ( the new Verna has a 9 month wait and the dealer is unwilling to book one) and the Petrol Verna is available with a wait of 45 days and is feels claustrophobic in the rear seat, I am edging towards the SX4 Petrol AT. The salesman said it would take 4-6 months of wait since its a made to order car -- can anyone corraborate if this is indeed the case with SX4 AT?
	() Thanks