Automatic hatchbacks in India under Rs 10 lakh

Automatic gearboxes are quite popular among buyers thanks to the convenience they offer while driving in the notoriously congested traffic of Indian cities. While most cars on the upper end of the price spectrum get an automatic gearbox as standard, a growing number of affordable models – particularly hatchbacks – are optionally offering automatic transmissions in their variant line-ups as well. We’ve compiled a list of every hatchback – either ICE or EV – that comes with an automatic gearbox under Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

1. Renault Kwid

Price: Rs 5.55 lakh to Rs 6.45 lakh

The Renault Kwid is currently the most affordable hatchback on sale with an automatic gearbox in India. Available from the mid-spec RXL(O) trim onward, the Kwid’s transmission is a 5-speed AMT unit that’s mated to a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine developing 69hp and 92.5Nm.

We tested this gearbox in the pre-facelift Renault Kwid and noted that it largely works well, but the typical AMT ‘head nod’ effect does show up in instances of sudden throttle input. Renault also includes a function dubbed Traffic Assist in the Kwid AMT, which allows the hatchback to creep forward in traffic without pressing the throttle, although we found that it can move a bit too slow.

2. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso 

Price: Rs 5.72 lakh to Rs 6 lakh

The S-Presso is Maruti Suzuki’s most affordable car to offer an automatic transmission, with a 5-speed AMT available on the top two trims – VXi (O) and VXi+ (O). This gearbox is paired with the S-Presso’s 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, which makes 67hp and 90Nm. Notably, the S-Presso’s range-topping automatic variant is Rs 45,000 cheaper than that of the Kwid, making it the more economical option for buyers who want the most feature-loaded trims.

In our review of the Maruti S-Presso, we found that the AMT is surprisingly smooth and takes much less time to switch cogs compared to prior iterations. However, procuring a quick downshift for an overtake does require mashing the throttle, but this problem can be solved by using the gearbox’s manual mode.

3. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Price: Rs 5.81 lakh to Rs 6.10 lakh

While the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most affordable car currently on sale in India, its automatic variants place it at number three in our list, falling just a few thousand rupees short of the S-Presso. The Alto K10 gets a 5-speed AMT in its top-spec VXi and VXi+ trims, with the sole engine option being a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol unit producing 67hp and 89Nm.

Our review of the Maruti Alto K10 noted that the AMT feels a bit lethargic, with noticeable pauses when shifting between the lower gears. However, the transmission is fairly smooth overall and works well in city traffic.

4. Maruti Suzuki Celerio 

Price: Rs 6.50 lakh to Rs 7.37 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio is offered with a 5-speed AMT in its VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ trims. Under the hood, the Celerio gets the same 1.0-litre petrol engine as the Alto K10, outputting 67hp and 89Nm. More interestingly, the Celerio AMT is the most fuel-efficient car currently on sale in India thanks to its ARAI-claimed mileage figure of 26.68kpl.

As we noted in our Maruti Celerio review, the AMT’s gearshifts are timely and the pause between them is well-contained, with manual intervention also possible via the gear lever.

5. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 

Price: Rs 6.74 lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is the first car in this list to offer two engine options – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol. Both engines are available with a 5-speed AMT in the VXi, ZXi, and ZXi+ trim levels. The 1.0-litre unit makes 67hp and 89Nm, while the 1.2-litre motor produces 83hp and 113Nm.

Urban buyers will be satisfied with the AMT, as we found in our review of the Wagon R. The transmission responds nicely to manual inputs, and the ‘head nod’ effect is mostly constricted between the first and second gears.

6. Maruti Suzuki Ignis 

Price: Rs 6.89 lakh to Rs 8.12 lakh 

The Ignis is the most affordable model from Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa line-up and one of the more unique ones the carmaker currently sells. Much like prior Maruti Suzuki models on this list, the Ignis comes with a 5-speed AMT that’s available in all trim levels barring the entry-level Sigma trim. This gearbox comes mated to a 1.2-litre petrol engine that generates 83hp and 113Nm.

Our Maruti Ignis review notes that like with most AMTs, shifts aren’t a problem with light throttle inputs or at low speeds in the city, but when you want to get a quick move on, the pause between shifts becomes apparent. You can work your way around the hiccups using the manual mode, which also lets you rev the motor till the redline.

7. Tata Tiago 

Price: Rs 6.90 lakh to Rs 8.85 lakh

Tata offers a 5-speed AMT with the Tiago’s 86hp, 113Nm, 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine in its XTA and XZA trim levels. The more rugged Tiago NRG, meanwhile, comes with the AMT only in its XZA trim. When we reviewed the Tata Tiago AMT, we found that gearshifts are smooth in traffic, but they become a bit jerky at crawling speeds while modulating the throttle. The gearbox gets a creep function too, but there’s a bit of delay before it begins moving.

Impressively, the AMT gearbox is also available in the Tiago’s CNG variants, namely the XTA, XZA, and XZA NRG trims. This makes the Tiago the only hatchback currently on sale in India to offer a CNG automatic variant, although the facelifted Altroz CNG will soon get an AMT option too.

8. MG Comet 

Price: Rs 7.36 lakh to Rs 9.41 lakh

The MG Comet EV is not only the first electric car on this list, but it’s also the smallest and most affordable EV you can currently buy in India. By virtue of its powertrain, the Comet EV doesn’t require any driving gears, which means its entire variant line-up can be represented here. The Comet EV is available in three trim levels – Executive, Excite, and Exclusive – and gets a single-speed automatic gearbox paired with a 17.3kWh, single-motor setup developing 42hp and 110Nm.

In our review of the MG Comet EV, we raved about how its miniscule dimensions make it a superb intra-city commuter with a funky, offbeat appeal. Prospective Comet EV buyers should also note that they can shave off a huge chunk from its upfront price by opting for MG’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) program, which excludes the battery cost and spreads it over a multi-year period as a monthly subscription. Notably, the starting price of the Comet EV drops to Rs 4.99 lakh with BaaS opted, which makes it the most affordable automatic car in India for buyers interested in the program.

9. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios 

Price: Rs 7.49 lakh to Rs 8.66 lakh

Hyundai’s entry-level hatchback – the Grand i10 Nios – gets a 5-speed AMT in its Magna, Corporate, Sportz, Sportz(O), and Asta trim levels. This gearbox comes paired with a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine outputting 83hp and 114Nm.

Our road test of the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios found that while the AMT still has the ‘head nod’ effect while shifting from first to second, it considerably smoothens out after that. The gearbox’s crawl function is very progressive too, which makes driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic easy.

10. Maruti Suzuki Swift 

Price: Rs 7.80 lakh to Rs 9.50 lakh

Now in its fourth generation, the venerable Maruti Suzuki Swift comes equipped with a 5-speed AMT, which is available on the hatchback’s VXI, VXI(O), ZXI, and ZXI+ trims. While the gearbox is akin to every other Maruti Suzuki model on this list, the Swift’s engine is quite unique. It’s an all-new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol unit dubbed K12E, which develops 82hp and 112Nm.

This output may be lower than prior iterations, but our review of the new Swift found that the K12E engine is much more responsive, peppy, and smooth in its power delivery. We also tested the Swift’s AMT gearbox and noted that it does a good job of swapping cogs in typical city conditions, with the creep mode working well too.

11. Tata Tiago EV 

Price: Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 11.14 lakh

The second (and most expensive) electric car on this list is the Tata Tiago EV, and much like the Comet, it gets a single-speed automatic gearbox across the range. Unlike the Comet, though, the Tiago EV comes with two battery pack options: 19.2kWh and 24kWh.

Both batteries power a sole front-mounted motor, with the smaller configuration developing 61hp and 110Nm, and the larger option outputting 75hp and 114Nm. Our review of the Tata Tiago EV noted that the hatchback has fairly mature driving manners and is very user-friendly thanks to its light steering, good visibility, and small footprint. 

12. Maruti Suzuki Baleno 

Price: Rs 8.04 lakh to Rs 9.92 lakh

Although the Baleno is Maruti Suzuki’s most premium hatchback in India, it offers the same 5-speed AMT as the carmaker’s more affordable models. This automatic gearbox is available with the Baleno in three trim levels – Delta, Zeta and Alpha – and is paired with a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 90hp and 113Nm.

In our long-term review of the second-gen Maruti Baleno, we found that the AMT functions smoothly in city traffic, but still has a noticeable hesitation and ‘head nod’ effect between the first, second, and third gears. The AMT’s manual mode was a bit slower than we expected too.

13. Tata Altroz 

Price: Rs 8.29 lakh to Rs 11.49 lakh

The first car on this list to offer an automatic gearbox that isn’t an AMT is the Tata Altroz, which recently received a comprehensive facelift. Entry-level trims of the Altroz – Pure, Pure S, Creative, and Creative S – get a 5-speed AMT, but starting from the Creative S trim, the hatchback can be had with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DCA). Both automatic transmissions are available solely with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine pumping out 88hp and 115Nm.

We’ve yet to review the petrol-automatic versions of the facelifted Altroz, but given that its powertrains feature no changes compared to the prior model, it likely won’t be all that different to drive. To that end, our review of the pre-facelift Tata Altroz DCA noted that the transmission responds well to throttle inputs and is ready to drop a gear or two to grant you access to the power you need.

14. Toyota Glanza

Price: Rs 8.34 lakh to Rs 10 lakh

The Glanza is a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno with some Toyota-specific changes inside and out, so it also has the same 5-speed AMT and 1.2-litre petrol engine. The Glanza’s automatic gearbox is available in the S, G, and V trims.

Our review of the Toyota Glanza found that its AMT is programmed to reach the highest possible gear at the earliest in the interest of efficiency, so downshifts for quick overtakes can take a tad too long. The gearbox also pauses and hunts for the correct gear in dense traffic, which can be annoying.

15. Hyundai i20 

Price: Rs 8.89 lakh to Rs 11.10 lakh

As the final hatchback on our list, the Hyundai i20 differentiates itself by not offering an AMT altogether. Instead, the i20 is available only with a CVT gearbox, paired with a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 83hp and 115Nm. The CVT gearbox comes in the i20’s Magna, Sportz, Sportz(O), and Asta (O) trim levels.

In our review of the previous-gen Hyundai i20, we found that the CVT is smooth and offers a polished experience at part- and medium-throttle inputs. The typical CVT ‘rubberband’ effect does tend to rear its head under hard acceleration, but this can be mitigated by using the gearbox’s manual mode.

Also see:

Hyundai Aura vs rivals: price, specifications comparison

10 most expensive ICE SUVs in India