Automatic SUVs, cars in India between Rs 7-10 lakh

With traffic congestion on Indian roads increasing by the day, automatic cars – especially in urban settings – have come to be the pick of the range for most people. They really take the stress out of driving and are practical and fuel efficient too. Even in the Rs 7 lakh-10 lakh range, you get the option of AMTs, CVTs and even torque converter automatics. Here’s our comprehensive list of all automatic cars in the range of Rs 7 lakh–10 lakh currently on sale in India.  

Hatchbacks

Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is powered by a 90hp, 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine that comes mated to a 5-speed AMT gearbox. While the AMT isn’t particularly sporty, there’s some fun to be had by putting it in manual mode and that’s where the peppy engine and agile handling improve the experience. The Swift is available with the AMT gearbox on all but the base trim. Its price ranges between Rs 7.14 lakh–8.53 lakh. It comes loaded with equipment and even features auto engine start/stop functionality.

Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is offered with a 110hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a six-speed torque converter. While enthusiasts may miss the seven-speed DSG from the BS4 Polo, even the new six-speed AT is adequately fast and responsive. It does not feel snappy at lower speeds like the older DSG and features a manual mode, although it gives paddle shifters a miss. The gearbox also features a Sport mode which keeps the engine on the boil, complementing the fun-to-drive nature of the Polo. Available in Comfortline, Highline Plus and GT trims, prices for the Polo AT range between Rs 8.70 lakh–9.99 lakh. The newly launched matte edition is also solely available with the 6-speed AT gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The Baleno is available with an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol and 90hp, 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines, with the CVT automatic offered only with the non-hybrid engine. Interestingly, the Baleno is the only Maruti to be offered with a CVT gearbox. The gearbox itself is pretty responsive and complements the performance of the engine, although there’s no escaping the rubber-band effect with aggressive throttle inputs. While the Baleno does not get a manual mode for the CVT, it does feature a Low mode for greater torque. Priced between Rs 8.06 lakh–9.45 lakh, the Baleno is offered with the CVT gearbox on all but the base trim.

Toyota Glanza

The Toyota Glanza – Maruti Baleno’s sister model – is also offered with the same 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol and 90hp, 1.2-litre mild hybrid petrol engines. Just like the Baleno, the CVT gearbox is only offered with the non-hybrid engine, spread over two trims (G and V) and is priced between Rs 8.69 lakh–9.45 lakh. Since both cars are mechanically identical, the characteristics of the CVT gearbox are same on the Glanza – it’s smooth, responsive and makes the engine feel peppy – making for a well-rounded package at this price point. 

Honda Jazz

Currently, the Honda Jazz is solely available with a 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine paired to a CVT automatic unit. The Jazz is the only hatchback in the segment to feature paddle shifters with the CVT gearbox and it even gets a Sport mode. The gearbox is smooth and refined and returns an impressive ARAI-claimed fuel economy of 17.1 kpl. Honda offers the CVT gearbox on all three variants of the Jazz – V, VX and ZX – with prices ranging between Rs 8.74 lakh–9.89 lakh.

Hyundai i20

The Hyundai i20 is available with an automatic gearbox option only with its petrol engines. The 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol is offered with a CVT gearbox, while the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is offered with a seven-speed DCT gearbox. The latter is much more expensive and prices start from Rs 10.74 lakh. The petrol-CVT is priced between Rs 8.77 lakh–10.3 lakh and is available on Sportz and Asta trims. Being available on the top-spec trim, the i20 CVT isn’t shortchanged for features. It gets a sunroof, connected car tech and a large digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. The gearbox itself is pretty smooth and refined, and gets a manual mode, but it suffers from the usual rubber-band effect at the top-end.

Also See:

Most affordable automatic cars, SUVs in India under Rs 7 lakh

Compact Sedans

Hyundai Aura

The Hyundai Aura is available with three engine options – 1.0 turbo-petrol, 1.2 petrol and 1.2 diesel – where the latter two are offered with an AMT gearbox. As is true with most AMTs, it’s somewhat slow and there’s an evident head-nod, although it’s better than some AMT units out there. Available in S and SX Plus trims, the petrol-AMT variants are priced between Rs 7.28 lakh–8.22 lakh, while the diesel-AMTs are priced between Rs 8.41 lakh–9.36 lakh. However, not being offered on the SX(O) trim, the AMT variants lose out on the bells and whistles of the top-spec trim. Notably, in diesel-AMT form, the Hyundai Aura is the most fuel-efficient diesel car on sale in India with an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 25.4 kpl.

Honda Amaze

The Honda Amaze is offered with two engine options – a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, both of which are offered with a CVT automatic gearbox. The Amaze has an upper hand over its rivals here, which only come with AMTs. The CVT gearbox itself is very refined, smooth and responsive and complements both the engines quite well. The petrol-CVT variants even come with paddle shifters. The Amaze petrol-CVT variants are priced between Rs 8.06 lakh–9.05 lakh, while the diesel-CVT is only available on top-spec VX trim, priced at Rs 11.15 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is powered by a 90hp, 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine and returns ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figures of 24.12kpl when paired with the 5-speed AMT gearbox. That makes it the most fuel-efficient petrol car on sale in India. Offered on all but the base trim, prices for the Dzire AMT ranges between Rs 7.64 lakh–9.08 lakh. The AMT gearbox on the Dzire is as good as AMTs get with a spacious and comfortable cabin with decent equipment being its strengths. Just like the Swift, the Dzire also features auto engine start/stop functionality to aid fuel efficiency.

Compact SUVs

Renault Kiger

The Kiger is available with both a five-speed AMT and a CVT automatic gearbox. The former is offered with a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, while the latter is mated to the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. The AMT variants of the Kiger are priced between Rs 7.04 lakh–8.61 lakh, making it the most affordable automatic compact SUV currently on sale in India. Meanwhile, the CVT variants are priced between Rs 9 lakh–10 lakh.

The AMT gearbox on the Kiger is slow and jerky at lower speeds, but it smoothens out as you pick up pace. However, it’s the CVT gearbox that’d be our pick. It feels smooth and consistent and even masks flat spots in the engine’s power delivery quite well. Notably, the Kiger does not get a manual mode with the CVT gearbox, although it gets an L or Low mode for maximum torque that can be useful in hill ascents or descents.

Nissan Magnite

Unlike the Renault Kiger, the only automatic gearbox option on the Magnite is the CVT available with the 100hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Available on top-spec XL and XV trims, the Magnite CVT is priced between Rs 8.51 lakh–9.89 lakh. In fact, the petrol-CVT powertrain is the best pick in the range. It packs adequate performance and is very convenient in the city at low and medium engine speeds, although the rubber-band effect is evident at the top-end. The gearbox also features a sport mode that notably sharpens up the throttle and shift responses, although there’s no manual mode.

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is offered with a six-speed AMT gearbox with both its 120hp, 1.2-litre petrol and 110hp, 1.5-litre diesel engines. As with other Tata AMTs, the gearbox isn’t the smoothest with on-off throttle inputs, although it gets the job done. The Nexon AMT is available in as many as 20 different versions spread across the petrol and diesel variants, including the Nexon Dark Edition. Prices for the Nexon AMT range between Rs 8.89 lakh–13.23 lakh. The biggest strength of the Nexon is perhaps it’s 5-star Global NCAP rating and that it comes decently well equipped with features such as a sunroof, connected car tech, semi-digital instrument cluster and much more.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

The Vitara Brezza is powered by a 105hp, 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine and the automatic gearbox in question is an archaic four-speed torque converter unit. While the Brezza auto is unexciting but pleasant, it’s interesting to note that the hybrid tech is exclusive to the automatic version. This also explains the ARAI-claimed fuel economy of 18.76kpl, which is 1.73kpl more than the manual. Available on all but the base trim, prices for the Brezza automatic range between Rs 9.87 lakh–11.10 lakh.

Toyota Urban Cruiser

The Toyota Urban Cruiser, is mechanically identical to the Maruti Vitara Brezza. It’s offered with the same engine and gearbox options which result in the same fuel efficiency and driving characteristics. Interestingly, however, Toyota only offers the automatic gearbox option on the mid and high trims, barring the top-spec Premium trim. Prices for the automatic variants of the Urban Cruiser range between Rs 9.92 lakh–10.77 lakh. The equipment list for corresponding trims is also identical to the Brezza.

MPV

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Last on this list is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, available with the same 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol mild-hybrid engine and four-speed torque converter automatic gearbox from the Ciaz and Brezza. While the gearbox may not be the quickest and slickest around, it does add a degree of convenience to a people mover such as the Ertiga. Available in mid-spec VXi and ZXi trims, prices for the Ertiga automatic range between Rs 9.96 lakh–10.69 lakh. Not available on top-spec ZXi+ trim, the automatic variants miss out on a few features, such as leather wrapped steering wheel, rear-view camera and more.