Compact AMT Hatchbacks Mileage Compared: Maruti WagonR vs Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Santro

An AMT gearbox certainly adds convenience to these hatchbacks. But does it put a ent on their frugality? Let’s find out

AMT-equipped hatchbacks are becoming quite popular these days. So it was imperative that we pick the most popular ones and put them through a real-world mileage test.

AMT-equipped hatchbacks are becoming quite popular these days. So it was imperative that we pick the most popular ones and put them through a real-world mileage test. Here’s what the comparison revealed. It might come as a surprise, but the WagonR lags behind the others in the mileage race due to its 1.2-litre engine with an extra cylinder. The Santro too packs a 4-cylinder unit, albeit with a lower capacity of 1.1-litre. The Tiago’s engine is a 1.2-litre unit but with a 3-cylinder setup. The numbers reveal that the Tiago and Santro return real-world fuel efficiency figures that are comparable to the manufacturer claimed numbers. That said, the claimed figures are tested in ideal conditions and are bound to vary. Out on the road, it is the Tiago that leads the pack followed by the Santro and WagonR. If your commute is equally distributed on highways and within the city, then it’s the Tiago that takes top honours followed by the Santro and the WagonR. If your travel is limited to clearer city stretches or even highways, the Tiago will breach the 20kmpl mark while the remaining two stay between 16kmpl to 17kmpl. But since you’ve put your money on an AMT, we presume your daily commute is limited to the city and if that’s the case, then the Tiago returns around 17kmpl while the Santro and WagonR deliver around 15kmpl and 13kmpl, respectively. The tested figures are only indicative and are likely to vary with variables such as road and car conditions, and driving style.