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Nissan Magnite AMT vs Hyundai Exter AMT vs Tata Punch AMT vs others
The remaining AMT models here include Renault Kiger, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Fronx and Tata Nexon.
BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Nissan Magnite
What you'll like:
- The Magnite looks really good… that handsome face is a head-turner
- Sheer value-for-money pricing
- Healthy legroom for rear passengers. Space packaging is brilliant
- Impressive kit (cruise control, LED headlamps, rear air-con vents, 360-degree camera, wireless charger, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay)
- 205 mm of ground clearance is more than enough for any kind of bad roads
- Safety kit includes ESP, TPMS, ABS, EBD & hill start assist
- Base variant also gets reasonable kit, including a rear wiper. It’s not poverty-spec
What you won't:
- Stiff & basic ride quality. You feel each and everything on the road
- The Magnite is built to a cost and it does show, especially in the budget-grade cabin
- 1.0L naturally-aspirated petrol is a boring, unimpressive engine. AMT isn't very smooth either
- No diesel option available on the Nissan Magnite
- Cabin is narrower than some competitors. Narrow width makes it best for 4 adults
- Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, full-size spare tyre…
- Doesn't have the finesse or quality of premium crossovers like the XUV300, Sonet etc.
- Nissan's tiny dealership network & lousy after-sales quality
Hyundai Exter
What you'll like:
- Well-positioned overall package. Priced competitively against rivals
- Unique looks with the H-shaped LED DRLs & tail-lamps and crossover styling
- Super-refined 4-cylinder engine offers good driveability and satisfactory fuel efficiency. AMT and CNG versions are available too
- Hyundai AMTs have superior tuning as compared to the AMTs of Maruti, Tata etc.
- Well-tuned suspension absorbs bumps well and delivers acceptable high-speed stability
- Precise build & quality (including interiors) are among the segment best
- Excellent ergonomics with light and well-placed controls
- Spacious interiors with very good legroom and headroom for a car in this segment
- Accommodating 391-litre boot is among the largest in the segment
- Loaded with features such as a sunroof, keyless entry & go, dashcam with dual camera, auto headlamps, cruise control, paddle shifters, connected car features (BlueLink), wireless charger, rear A/C vents, multi-lingual voice commands, etc
- Safety kit includes 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all 5 occupants, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ABS, EBD, ESC, VSM, hill-hold assist, rear parking sensors and camera, TPMS, emergency stop signal, SOS call and more
- Hyundai's wide service network & up to 7-years extended warranty
What you won't:
- Edgy looks & funky styling may not be to everyone's liking. Cuts and creases are overdone
- Despite the unique styling, it’s not really a head-turner. Small size robs the Exter of road presence
- 1.2L NA petrol’s highway performance is adequate, but not exciting
- No turbo-petrol or diesel engine on offer
- Not as engaging to drive as the Citroen C3 Turbo. Handling, steering and thin tyres won’t appeal to enthusiasts
- Light-coloured interior theme isn’t available. Black interiors may not be to everyone's liking. Hyundai should’ve offered a beige option
- Back seat is more suitable for 2 healthy adults and a child. Not 3 healthy adults
- Rear seat is placed on the lower side, and its under-thigh support is average (taller folk will find it to be less)
- Average sound system is no match for some of the rivals (e.g. Punch & Fronx have better ICE)
- Some missing features like fog lamps, rear centre armrest, auto-dimming IRVM, 60:40 split rear seat, 6-speaker sound system (Exter has just 4), full-sized spare tyre, etc.
Renault Kiger
Tata Punch
What you'll like:
- Snazzy styling! We love the mini-Harrier face and tight rear end
- Well-designed & practical cabin with enough space for 4 adults
- 366-liter boot is accommodating
- 1.2L NA petrol offers good driveability in the city. Performance is acceptable <90 kmph
- Sorted road manners & reassuring high speed stability
- Enjoyable Harman 6-speaker ICE. One of the better systems in this segment
- Features such as auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control, Traction Pro (AMT), cooled glovebox…with factory customization packs too
- A full 5 stars in the GNCAP! Safety package includes dual airbags, CSC, brake sway control, ISOFIX etc.
What you won't:
- 1.2L NA petrol’s highway performance is weak. At 100 kmph & up, more noise than action
- Suspension has a firm tune (R16 variants). It is compliant & liveable, but you do feel bad roads
- Jerky and slow AMT gearbox when competitors offer you smoother CVTs and torque converters
- 3-cylinder petrol cannot match the competition’s 4-cylinders in refinement & NVH
- No turbo petrol or diesel option. Period. Rivals & other Tata cars offer both
- Cabin width makes 4 adults welcome, not 5
- Some missing goodies such as an auto-dimming IRVM, splitting rear seat, rear AC vents, full-size spare…
- Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
Mahindra XUV300
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
What you'll like:
- Smart looking crossover with sharp & attractive styling
- Feels better built than some other Maruti cars
- The 1.2L NA offers excellent fuel efficiency. ARAI = 21.79 (MT) km/l to 22.89 km/l (AMT)
- Nicely tuned suspension glides over small bumps, potholes and road imperfections
- User-friendly cabin with loads of space! Can easily seat 5 adults (unlike many competitors)
- Long feature list includes LED auto headlamps, LED DRLs, cruise control, 9-inch touchscreen HU paired with an Arkamys sound system, 360-degree camera, head-up display, rear A/C vents, wireless charging, footwell lighting, tilt & telescopic steering adjustment, connected car features etc
- Safety kit includes 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all, ESP, traction control, hill-hold assist and ISOFIX
- Maruti’s excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experiences
What you won't:
- On the inside, it’s almost identical to the regular Baleno. Differentiation should’ve been more
- Quality of some plastic parts and fabric upholstery is mediocre
- 308-litre boot is among the smallest in the segment
- No diesel option like some rivals
- Rear seat’s under-thigh support is lacking for taller passengers
- A few missing features like sunroof, TPMS, rear armrest, drive modes, auto wipers and front parking sensors
- Lesser height means, despite the smart styling, it doesn’t have the road presence of typical crossovers
Tata Nexon
Here's what BHPian aniketi had to say about the matter:
Just 6 months back I was in the same dilemma and bought Maruti Ignis Zeta AMT after considering many cars.
I10 Nios, I rejected as it was low on seating and I personally don't like its curvy looks. Overdesigned for me. Also, it's a costly car and has low mileage. Interior is good in this car.
Tata Tiago was next. I personally don't believe in Tata's long-term reliability of petrol cars. Also, their service is hit or miss. It's a 3-pot motor which I don't like. Interior was ok but the digital speedometer was too boring and dull. Car looks hot though. Easily one of the good-looking cars.
Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger I didn't consider as the future for both companies is not promising at all. Both have service as well as resale value issues.
Punch is a good car but I found it to be costly for what it offers. Again reliability issues are there in the long term.
When it comes to Ignis, it is one of the most underrated cars in India. It does many things right at a very good cost. It has got a very good list of features for the price and the looks are sporty. Also, it offers amazing space inside being the smallest car. It's the most fuel-efficient car here and I am getting very good mileage on it. I am really happy with my purchase and enjoying the car.
People who want to buy a small car, do check Ignis first. You will be surprised to see what it offers at such a low price.
Here's what BHPian Small Bot had to say about the matter:
Voted for the Nexon. Yes, Hyundai has one of the nicest AMTs out there (oxymoron?). That said, my personal opinion is that Exter looks ugly from the rear, whereas Nexon looks snappy from all directions.
Here's what BHPian busydrive had to say about the matter:
Tata AMT(s) are jerky. Fronx AMT is overpriced for what it offers. I was seriously considering between Magnite and Exter and have finally gone for Exter. Planning to book this soon.
Main reason why I dropped Magnite was the cost-cutting was very evident everywhere and Nissan service in Bangalore is not good.
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
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