Automatic Sedan - Early review. Review on Honda City 2012 1.5 S AT

I wanted to buy an automatic transmission sedan under Rs. 10, 00, 000/-. I was to choose between SX4 AT; Verna AT, Vento AT and Honda city AT - the four cars fitting my budget requirements. I test drove all except Vento. They didnt have one for test drive in Chandigarh. They were very poor responders on phone. They never responded on web site enquiry. Wait period was more than 3 months! On paper it looked good, but the poor sale response put me off. Wait period was another hinderance!

SX4 AT was the best equipped amongst the remaining three. Climate control and etc. And cheapest! The automatic transmission was a bit tardy on test drive. It was a three shift with eco mode thrown in. Fuel economy was not great! The car didn't have many good reviews on the net. Resale value was not good. Reversing was not easy.

Verna AT was diesel! The only diesel AT in this range! The seats were a bit low. The noise in the cabin was a bit alarming, just because I am not used to diesel! Reports say that auto transmission is a a bit of let down. It has a 4 speed transmission. Not very Zippy. The sale team response was not very good. Web inquiry had no response. There was no AT latest model for test drive!

Honda response time was a few hours on the web inquiry. Test drive was organized quickly and to my convenience. The car was brought to my work place. Sales personnel were very responsive, cordial and knowledgeable.

I choose to buy the exclusive model in the Urban Titanium metallic colour. Exclusive model gave me leather seats, body coloured mud flaps and some chrome sash moldings. I paid 40, 000 extra for this. Maybe not worth it, but I wanted original leather seats. I also paid 13, 000 etc for a original cd/mp3 player fitted in the slot where it should have been and is available in other countries!

I have driven 580 KMs and four long distance trips of 100 kms each.

First impressions:

1. The Titanium colour looks good on the car

   
   




2. The car is good looking

   
   




3. The interiors are very roomy.

   
   




4. The seats are very comfortable. Arm rest on the door a bit low. Back seat has a very comfortable arm rest.

   
   




5. The long distance drive is not at all tiring.

   
   




6. Engine is very responsive and great pick up!

   
   




7. Sound system is nippy and better than average. Audio controls on the steering wheel is a bonus

   
   




8. In North Indian winters fog lights are a bonus! The headlamps are good and focussed.

   
   




9. Wipers work well; I miss wipers and a wash at the back. It has a defogger

   
   




10. Automatic transmission works very smoothly and difficult to make out the shifts; controls on the steering are a bonus; mode is electronically visible on the console!

    
    




11. 17 plus average on the highway at a cruising speed of 90 km per hour and average speed of 60 Km per hour.

    
    




12. City driving in rush hours give 8 as average; otherwise ranges between 10 and 12. These figures are available from the average feature available on the console.

    
    




13. Two dashboard storage cubicles; one is small and accessible to the driver. Adequate to keep your wallet or sun glasses.

    
    




14. God forbidding, all standard safety features including air bags and ant-iock breaking system.

    
    




15. Very spacious boot - 510 litres. The interior has many other small places for magazines and cups.

    
    




16. Heating is very good. Watch this space for review on cooling.

    
    

The following review gives an excellent details of automatic transmission:

https://mouthshut.com/review/Honda-City-i-Vtec-1-5-S-AT-olsnootpum