Maruti Ignis AMT Petrol Review – Fancy and Practical!

What is it?

The Ignis impressed us back when we drove it in and around Chennai over a month ago. The latest micro-SUV offers both Petrol and Diesel engines, which can be paired with either a 5-speed Manual or an AMT. Regulars here would remember we drove the manual variants of both the Ignis Petrol and Diesel models for our first drive review. So, now, we have finally driven a petrol-powered Ignis AMT. Oh yes, very unlike the last time, when we drove the Ignis to the lovely beaches along the ECR, we drove the Ignis to the beautiful Himachal Pradesh for our Maruti Ignis AMT Petrol review.

Also See- Maruti Ignis First Drive Review

Looks the Same, No?

No, not exactly the same as the fully-loaded Manual variants. Actually, the AMT is available only on the Delta and Zeta trims. So, basically, the AMT-equipped Ignis misses out on bits like DRLs and Projector Headlamps. In spite of these omissions, however, the Ignis AMT doesn’t look bland by any stretch of imagination. Thanks to a retro-modern, and a rather unconventional design, the Ignis has always impressed us with the way it looks. Its large wheels are pushed to the very corners, which give it a sporty stance. The retro touch is imparted by design features such as the ‘sunglass-clad’ front fascia, helmet-like roof and the slits on the C-Pillar. These styling cues come from multiple Suzuki models of the past. Bits like the clamshell bonnet, black A and B pillars, headlamps, C-pillar slits, all have taken inspiration from older Suzuki cars.

Overall, the Ignis looks nothing like anything on the road. Its compact dimensions, unique design and SUV-like stance come together to make it a very desirable product.

On the Inside

Akin to the exterior, the interior of the Ignis looks unique and very attractive. The steering wheel is all-new, and isn’t available on any other Maruti car on sale today. The dashboard, much like the exterior, has a retro-modern feel to it. The designers have followed a minimalistic approach, which means you get a neat, fuss-free design that’s highly functional. As we said, the Ignis AMT doesn’t come in the Alpha trim, which means you miss out on auto aircon and the tab-like touchscreen interface for the infotainment unit. The Zeta trim, instead, gets a relatively basic audio unit that offers FM/CD/Aux/USB compatibility. Obviously, the rather simple unit doesn’t have the flamboyance or the premium-ness that comes associated with the touchscreen unit available on the Alpha trim. Also, the Ignis AMT misses out on auto aircon, which is again due to the fact that the Alpha trim is reserved for the manual transmission models.

The Ignis is a sub-4 metre offering. However, there’s a spacious cabin on offer. Even its boot, with 260-litres of storage capacity, is reasonably generous and can accommodate two full-sized suitcases. It maybe noted here that the wheels have been pushed almost to the corners to free up a lot of space. This, along with clever bits like knee recess in the front seats, go on to make the Ignis a sufficiently spacious car.

How’s it to Drive?

The Ignis AMT is available with both Petrol and Diesel engines. Our test car came equipped with the familiar 1.2-litre K-Series petrol motor that’s the powerhouse of many Maruti models. The engine outputs a max. power of 83 PS and a peak torque of 113 Nm. For the Ignis AMT, it comes mated to a Magneti Marelli-sourced 5-speed AMT. Maruti has done an excellent job with keeping the NVH levels under check. At idle, there’s almost no engine noise creeping into the cabin. However, on giving the stick, the engine does get a bit vocal, but the somewhat rorty sound note is only music to the ears.

Maruti has done a fantastic job with the tuning of the AMT. Feather the throttle and shifts take place at 2,000 RPM, which helps improve the fuel efficiency. With a hard foot, the transmission holds on to every gear till almost redline. Much like most other AMTs we have sampled, here, too gearshifts are not seamless. However, we’re happy about the fact that the shifts aren’t jerky and on most occasions, one won’t mind the slight pause between the gearshifts. Overtaking is fairly easy, as the gearbox is quick to downshift on sensing a bigger throttle input. We drove our test car in traffic-infested streets of Gurgaon, on the splendid expressway between NCR and Chandigarh, and even on some rather treacherous B-roads of Himachal. And throughout the journey, the AMT didn’t give us even a single reason to complain about.

Over the Bumps and Around the Corners?

Much like most modern-day Marutis, the Ignis is pretty softly sprung. At low speeds, the Ignis offers a really comfortable ride. It can gobble up most of the speed humps and craters with ease and the passengers hardly ever complain of discomfort. At high speeds, however, things change drastically, which has much to do with the low kerb weight and a relatively short wheelbase. Even the high speed stability is nothing to write home about. That said, one can still cruise at 100-110 KMPH on the highway without much of a worry. The Ignis comes with a light steering that offers little in terms of feedback. It does weigh up a bit at high speeds, but that’s still not enough to offer a sporty driving experience. Inside cities, however, the light steering, coupled with compact dimensions, helps you make your way through the nightmarish traffic.

Should I Buy One?

Depends, really. There’s definitely enough going for the Ignis, but what’s important to note here is the fact that Maruti offers an AMT on both Diesel and Petrol engine variants. So, those with long commutes and frequent intercity runs should consider the Diesel-sipping Ignis in interest of low running costs. The Ignis AMT Petrol, on the other hand, makes for a very good urban runabout that can also turn out to be a sufficiently comfortable companion on occasional weekend getaways. The only real complain we really have here is that the Ignis AMT can’t be bought in the top-spec Alpha trim.

Maruti Ignis AMT Petrol Review – Specifications

Like the Petrol model, the Ignis AMT comes with a 1.2 L petrol engine that’s high on refinement and frugality. It boasts the same specifications as the manual transmission models of the Maruti Ignis petrol. For the AMT variant, however, the Ignis comes with a 5-speed AMT.

Maruti Ignis AMT Petrol Review – Images

So, what do you say about our Maruti Ignis AMT Petrol review? Do let us know by sharing your views in the comments section below. Also, stay tuned for more such test drive reviews.