The short answer
Choose the automatic if most of your driving is city traffic and you want less effort. Choose the manual if you want lower cost, slightly better mileage and more control on steep or technical ground. Both manage the 4L and hill descent features. On the highway, the automatic needs patience when overtaking.
Automatic suits
- Heavy city traffic
- Drivers new to 4x4
- Relaxed highway cruising
- Buyers who accept a higher price
Manual suits
- Lower purchase price
- A little better mileage
- Control in low range and on descents
- Drivers who like to choose the gear
The two gearboxes side by side
| Area | Manual | Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual | 4-speed torque converter |
| Price, ex-showroom | Zeta Rs 12.54 lakh, Alpha Rs 13.39 lakh | Zeta Rs 13.77 lakh, Alpha Rs 14.52 lakh |
| ARAI claim | 16.94 km/l | 16.39 km/l |
| Tested city and highway | 10.86 and 14.74 km/l | 10.04 and 13.56 km/l |
| Overtaking | Choose your gear | Reported to take effort and planning, helped by the overdrive switch |
| Traffic | Needs clutch work | Easy |
City traffic and the clutch
The manual is harder work in heavy traffic. The habits matter:
- When you cannot move, leave the car in neutral, and select first only when you can
- Do the same in stop-start traffic and at lights
- Never ride the clutch, and avoid half-clutch attempts
- Some owners add a 2L kit for slow low-range torque in rear-wheel drive. See 2WD (2H) and the 2L kit
Hills and off-road
Both versions have 4L and Hill Descent Control, see low-range use and Hill Descent Control. The manual lets you choose and hold a gear, which many drivers like on steep or technical ground. The automatic takes care of the gear and is easier in slow crawling. Neither makes up for tires, technique and recovery gear.
Highway
The 1.5-litre engine is not powerful, so overtaking on a two-lane road needs planning in either gearbox. A long-term review of the automatic describes overtaking as taking effort, anticipation and patience, and says its overdrive switch helps by holding lower gears. See long highway trips.
Where these figures come from
Pick your use
Tap how you will drive to see which gearbox fits.
Tap your use (6 to try)
Gearbox for City traffic
- Leans
- -
- Details
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Common mistakes
- Choosing without driving both. The manual feel is a personal call.
- Riding the clutch in traffic. Use neutral when stopped.
- Expecting power from either. It is a small engine.
- Ignoring price difference. The automatic costs more.
- Assuming auto means easy off-road. Technique and tires still count.