After using Automatic cars in US we were looking for the same comfort in driving in India. Went for SANTRO XING AT.
The best part of the automatic vehicles are - No more changing of gears at every humps, doesn’t stop if you miss to press the clutch in time, doesn’t start unless in parking mode so no fear of starting the car in first gear by mistake and receiving the jerk. Once in drive mode, goes automatically in 5 km speed. So on jam packed roads just start and leave it to run by itself, instead of scarily pressing the accelerator and break alternatively.
Consumption is obviously more, we get 12 km/l. It’s already 1 1/2 yrs old, no problem so far.
We enjoy driving the car. We have used manual cars also and difference is significant. It feels like driving a kinetic honda. Learning curve is less.
Out of my experience I would say People who want to enjoy a comparatively tension free drive on the busy Indian roads and also are ready to bear the additional fuel cost should definitely go for it.