[SoumenD]

Back in 2019 1st quarter while scouting for an AT(non-AMT) had 3 strong CVT contenders around 10/11L mark in Baleno, i20 & Jazz. Absolutely loved the Ford 6 speed TC in Aspire but they couldn't provide me a Figo AT even after waiting for 2-3 months. That was the most fun car to drive back then. Polo I was worried about the DSG reliability, so gave it a pass. Amaze build & interiors somehow felt utilitarian compared to Jazz & we already had a brio, so picked up the Jazz CVT.

However today if I have to pick up an AT around 10-12L, Magnite CVT would be my top choice as that 1.0L turbo CVT combo is great and the 4* GNCAP with stable bodyshell rating. High GC is a boon on our pothole filled roads. Kiger CVT as well can be considered if one is worried about Nissan's future. Renault sure isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

And if the usage is strictly within city, nothing beats a Tiago.EV

[amalji]

Originally Posted by GTO

I love the powertrain of the Magnite / Kiger Turbo CVTs, but buying a Nissan is too risky today. If I had to pick between the two, I'd go for the Renault Kiger. Am a fan of its styling too. In many months, Renault sells twice as many cars as Nissan.

But, isn't the reliability issues in Jatco CVTs used in Nissan a concern? I've heard numerous stories of failed Nissan CVTs in the developed world. But, haven't heard too much about it in India though. Maybe, low volumes of CVT sales for Nissan is one reason why it hasn't bubbled up much in India?

[Sumedik]

This thread made me remember the good old days when budget hatchbacks used to offer toque converter ATs (Astar, i10, Santro, Brio etc). Now there is not even a single option with a proper AT in that segment. It is a regressive step.

Originally Posted by cludflare

I recently drove the DCA and found the power output / performance very similar to my Jazz CVT. I could not differentiate between the DCA and CVT to be honest.

This is surprising. DCAs are meant to be sporty and that is the only thing that inspire people to go for the overcomplicated prone to failure transmission. Now if the performance of that transmission is comparable to leisurely CVT then why bother !

Originally Posted by amalji

But, isn't the reliability issues in Jatco CVTs used in Nissan a concern? I've heard numerous stories of failed Nissan CVTs in the developed world. But, haven't heard too much about it in India though. Maybe, low volumes of CVT sales for Nissan is one reason why it hasn't bubbled up much in India?

Agreed. Nissan CVTs were/are so bad that it almost put the company out of business. I would prefer Honda CVTs.

To answer the original question: It is worth looking into used Baleno CVT, Jazz CVT, Ecosport AT and S-Cross AT.

[inwester]

Originally Posted by cludflare

Lately, too many people in my circle are buying or evaluating their first cars and have reached out to me for recommendations. Most of them, being in Bangalore, are looking for automatics.

Interesting thread -

For a twist, added some filters based on the forum responses and came up with this list (no EVs) -

1. Auto transmission - since you said "proper" I excluded AMT and CVTs (personally I won't buy them).
   
   
2. Turbocharged engines only. In 2023, its hard for me to accept small capacity naturally aspirated engines.
   
   
3. 6 airbags or more, speed isn't everything, we need to be safe, right?
   
   • I could've put an additional filter of GNCAP safety score 4+ but that will basically take out most cars.

Here are the results make/model/variant in ascending order of ex-showroom price, under 20 lakhs.

1) Hyundai i20 - Asta (O) / N-Line 1.0 Turbo DCT: 11.87 lakhs
2) Maruti Suzuki Fronx - Zeta 1.0L Turbo 6 AT: 12.05 lakhs
3) Hyundai Venue - SX (O) / N-Line DCT 1.0 Turbo: 13.23 lakhs
4) Kia Sonet - GTX Plus 1.0 Turbo Petrol DCT: 13.69 lakhs
5) Kia Carens - Prestige Plus 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT 7 STR: 15.74 lakhs
6) Skoda Slavia - Style 1.0 TSI AT: 15.99 lakhs
7) Hyundai Verna - SX 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT: 16.08 lakhs
8) Volkswagen Virtus - Topline 1.0 TSI AT: 16.19 lakhs
9) Volkswagen Taigun - Topline 1.0 TSI AT: 17.35 lakhs
10) Skoda Kushaq - Style 1.0L TSI AT: 17.39 lakhs
11) MG Astor - Sharp 1.3 Turbo AT: 17.95 lakhs
12) Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 Diesel AT: 18.12 lakhs
13) Hyundai Creta - SX (O) 1.5 Diesel Automatic: 19.00 lakhs
14) Hyundai Alcazar - Prestige (O) 7 STR 1.5 Diesel AT: 19.20 lakhs
15) Mahindra Scorpio - N Z8 Petrol AT 7 STR: 19.96 lakhs

Notable omission new Tata Nexon facelift 1.2 L Turbo Petrol DCA ~ 13-14 lakhs?

[jomyboy]

Issues specifically related to the CVT transmission were most notable with the 2013 and 2016 models. Basically, CVTs are not meant for performance vehicles and are more for lighter/economy vehicles. Nissan have learnt their mistake and upped their game. People pooh-poohing the Nissan CVTs as unreliable have not researched well enough. Lets all come back to this post five years down the line and then we will know for sure if opting for Nissan CVTs were worth their mettle. My bet is them being more reliable than the DCTs we have on offer.

Coming back on topic, if most affordable is the mantra, then Amaze CVT should tick all the boxes. But if you want a crossover or SUVish look, then no look no further than Magnite/Kiger CVTs. These cars are genuinely value for money. I know the amount of hours I clock in to earn my dough and I definitely won't bet a single penny on "Maruti/Hyundai aftersales/reliability myth" that people profess on.

[0xTKB]

Originally Posted by .sushilkumar

Let me add a bit. Perhaps Offtopic for the thread but here it goes.

For HP's village roads, have negotiated those 8 feet wide roads easily with occasional "M" mode . A gentle top on pedal and she easily climbs with zero fuss. Pls note that "D" mode is tuned for efficiency & on those steep inclines, engines just revs to glory with no real power transferring to wheels partly due to the way AT gearbox is tuned. To give a idea, inclines on my side are easily 60 degrees where you cannot carry forward momentum (Familiar 120 degree turns in between ).

Mileage wise, I easily get 13-14 KMPL On village roads and 20-21 KMPL on highways.

That's a great insight! Thanks. Will look into XL6 as well but primary driver will be my wife and she insists on getting a hatchback. Otherwise I find Honda Elevate to be very desirable.

[anuragsingh]

Amaze CVT/Kiger CVT
Altroz DCA
Magnite CVT


This would be the order of preference if I had to buy a car today.

[i_see]

Originally Posted by inwester

Interesting thread -

1. Auto transmission - since you said "proper" I excluded AMT and CVTs (personally I won't buy them).
   
   
2. Turbocharged engines only. In 2023, its hard for me to accept small capacity naturally aspirated engines.
   
   
3. 6 airbags or more, speed isn't everything, we need to be safe, right?
   
   • I could've put an additional filter of GNCAP safety score 4+ but that will basically take out most cars.

Here are the results make/model/variant in ascending order of ex-showroom price, under 20 lakhs.

1) Hyundai i20 - Asta (O) / N-Line 1.0 Turbo DCT: 11.87 lakhs
2) Maruti Suzuki Fronx - Zeta 1.0L Turbo 6 AT: 12.05 lakhs
3) Hyundai Venue - SX (O) / N-Line DCT 1.0 Turbo: 13.23 lakhs
4) Kia Sonet - GTX Plus 1.0 Turbo Petrol DCT: 13.69 lakhs
Insert here
5) Kia Carens - Prestige Plus 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT 7 STR: 15.74 lakhs
6) Skoda Slavia - Style 1.0 TSI AT: 15.99 lakhs
7) Hyundai Verna - SX 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT: 16.08 lakhs
8) Volkswagen Virtus - Topline 1.0 TSI AT: 16.19 lakhs
9) Volkswagen Taigun - Topline 1.0 TSI AT: 17.35 lakhs
10) Skoda Kushaq - Style 1.0L TSI AT: 17.39 lakhs
11) MG Astor - Sharp 1.3 Turbo AT: 17.95 lakhs
12) Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 Diesel AT: 18.12 lakhs
13) Hyundai Creta - SX (O) 1.5 Diesel Automatic: 19.00 lakhs
14) Hyundai Alcazar - Prestige (O) 7 STR 1.5 Diesel AT: 19.20 lakhs
15) Mahindra Scorpio - N Z8 Petrol AT 7 STR: 19.96 lakhs

Notable omission new Tata Nexon facelift 1.2 L Turbo Petrol DCA ~ 13-14 lakhs?

How come no one has mentioned CVT sedans from Hyundai and Honda??

For about 30 K more than Hyundai Venue - SX (O) / N-Line DCT 1.0 Turbo, you get comfortable sedans having spacious interiors, with proven mechanicals and all necessary gadgets
e.g. Verna SX IVT, City CVT Vx

They don't have tiny N.A. engines, hence no bad rubber band effect like i20 CVT,
And they have acceptable performance which is no way yawn inducing like cars with K15C engines with torque converter gearbox.

I can say by personal experience since I recently test drove most of these cars before finally buying a Verna SX IVT.

P.S These 2 sedans feels way more VFM compared to the <4 m pseudo-SUVs with proper automatic gearboxes

[ampere]

What I have realized over time, the entry level ATs which are not AMTs will be upwards of 10L. Kiger/Magnite being one set. Then comes the choice between DCT/DSG or Conventional ATs.


Off Topic:

In my recent search I realized most products are moving into the DCT/DSG world. Hyundai/Kia and Tata. VW and Skoda are already there. Only Honda is still on CVT/Regular AT. (Apart from Renaul and Nissan)

So one question we need to discuss is how has the reliability of the DCT/DSG evolved overtime. If it has improved, it will help the buyer confidence at entry level ATs. Else for city usage I would still recommend a CVT or regular AT product line. That's how my search will go for an AT product space.

[ptushar]

Excellent topic and very timely too. I am in the market to change my Hyundai i10 Auto (an absolutely amazing car), which is about 12 years old now.

To start with, let me put it on record that I am pretty upset with Hyundai for not introducing a 'proper' Auto gear box on the new i10. I would have bought that car and would not have to write this post.

I am currently considering the Kiger, Magnite, Sonet, Amaze and the Venue. At the moment I am inclined towards the Amaze as that is the only sedan in the lot. My wife and son did not like the i20 and I already have the Hexa Auto and hence not considering another Tata product. (Not because I have any issues with the Hexa. I have none and I love the Hexa. The drive is a dream).

Now, I heard that both Sonet and Amaze may launch a facelift. If this is true then does it make sense to wait for the Amaze facelift?

[AARKE]

Originally Posted by pkk077

Amaze CVT is a fantastic choice with the caveat that in bumper-to-bumper city traffic, with AC ON, the FE will be very poor. (I get 7-8). So if FE is a concern, have at look at the EVs from Tata stable as well.

The Amaze Diesel CVT makes me nostalgic. What a fantastic car it was.!!

[ssathiyanarayan]

Originally Posted by cludflare

Three of the most affordable true automatics and only options within the sub 10lakh ex-showroom buckets are –

1. Amaze CVT – Absolutely no-nonsense car. My love for Honda having owned both the Jazz and City makes me extremely inclined to suggest this to my friends. Acceptable safety too.

2. i20 IVT – Never been a fan of Hyundais and the design language of the newer cars is not going down well with me. But still, they have refined engines and I am guessing hasslefree ownerships. Safety remains questionable though.

3. Altroz DCA – Now this is an interesting one. I recently drove the DCA and found the power output / performance very similar to my Jazz CVT. I could not differentiate between the DCA and CVT to be honest. However, the suspension seemed very well tuned - softer than my Jazz and the steering feedback too was better. 5-star safety, but always a risky ownership experience with TATA.

Attachment 2499138

I am purposely not including Magnite or Kiger in the list as I think they have done a lot of cost cutting and quality compromise in the name of giving an SUV-ish look and ground clearance in this price range. Am I missing any other option?

For me, it's clearly the Amaze on top. However, I'll honestly suggest others to try all these three and decide for themselves – at times it’s the feel. All three are decent automatics with 1.2L NA engines, good enough for requirements of 75% city and 25% highway runs. These engines develop reasonable power for a reasonable number of reasonable people.

Attachment 2499139

Again, I am excluding the Fronx 1L Turbo TC as it is priced higher and I hate Maruti for taking a step back and replacing the CVT with an AMT in the Baleno.

Hi,
I was in the same boat as you during my buying dilemma. The same 3 cars ( you chose Hyundai i20 ivt, i had Nline in mind) you have chosen and only the priority deferred. My suggestions would be:
1) Tata Altroz XZA + DCA - Safety and All rounder
2) Honda Amaze CVT - Honda reliability
3) Hyundai i20 NLine - Such a powerful vehicle

You can go wrong with none of them. All boils down to your preference at last weighed against your priorities. Take a TD of all shortlisted cars. What works for me might not work for you. Weigh the pros and cons after a proper TD. Then decide and purchase.
Best wishes.
Sathiya

[sumeethaldankar]

While not new one can get a used Yaris CVT between 7 and 10 lacs. The earlier variants had 6 air bags standard and compared to other models the build quality is good too.