In search of a compact-SUV with an automatic transmission

With the changing times we feel that we now need an automatic car, especially for the city runabouts and also for those highway runs.

BHPian ashvek3141 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

This being by far the most crowded segment, with a host of options to choose from which meet almost everyone's requirements.

We currently own a 2011 Swift ZDi (2nd Gen) and a 2015 Hyundai Creta P MT and are looking for a replacement for the former.

The Swift has been with us for around 9.3 years and is still serving great! There is no strong reason in particular to do away with this car as this beauty still pulls like a mad horse when that turbo spools.  The car is in top-notch condition albeit the routine wear & tear that comes with age and 110k km on the odometer. We love this car.

We would have loved to retain this car and probably keep it as a beater; however, keeping 3 cars isn't practical and no parking space either.

However, with the changing times we feel that we now need an automatic car, especially for the city runabouts and also for those highway runs. Before the Creta came in, the Swift used to even handle the outstation duties and pulled it with a charm. The Hyundai Creta however, takes care of that now. And since we already have a petrol manual, having an automatic is kind of necessary is what I feel.

The Swift is primarily driven by my dad. He doesn't drive the Creta. So basically Swift is driven 50:50 by myself & my dad while the Creta is 100% by yours truly.

Our requirements are as under in no particular order.

• An automatic. Strictly NO AMT's. No offence to the AMT owners, but I simply don't like them.
• A reasonably heighted car. My parents are senior citizens and hence a low slung car isn't advisable. Our current Swift is the least acceptable sitting height, that too since it has been with us for close to a decade. Hence, this probably warrants an SUV.
• A car with good safety rating and tech.
• Good looking.
• Fun to drive. Since, we have been driving the Swift for over a decade; a good turbo powered engine would be great. Diesel would be an added bonus.
• Engine type can be etiher. Since turbo-petrols now are equally competent as diesel in terms of power & torque, I don't mind shifting to a turbo-petrol. Although I might have to sacrifice on the average, which is okay.
• Will retain the car at least for 8 - 9 years and hence looking for a future proof car.

So below are the cars in contention. I am not diving deep into the pros and cons & hence will keep it short here.

Kia Sonet

Pros

• Looks good.
• That sweet Diesel + AT Combo.
• Safety features viz. the electronics like ESP, TC & the likes.
• Decent fuel efficiency.
• Fun to drive. I haven't driven the Diesel + AT, but the DCT is surely fun!
• Top notch interior quality
• Truck load of features.

Cons

• Safety. Though the safety kit is sorted electronically, I don't know about the structural rigidity. Considering that the Seltos just scrapped through 3 stars, I don't think the Sonet will do any better.
• Price. A difference of around 4.5 lakh over and above the top-end Magnite (cheapest SC-SUV right now) is a tall ask for this segment.
• Rear seat space is just about adequate.

Hyundai Venue

This is pretty much the same car as the Sonet, albeit a Rs 1 - 1.5 lakh cheaper. However, it misses out on the Diesel AT combo and a few bling features. Hence, I wouldn't dive much into the pros & cons here.

Nissan Magnite

Newest in the segment and the hot favourite right now.

Pros

• Probably the cheapest SC-SUV right now and has a good VFM proposition.
• Looks great!
• Good interior space. Doesn't feel cramped at all.
• Smooth CVT paired with the turbo petrol motor.
• Good on safety features and crash test rating too.

Cons

• Nissan India's future in India is a bit dicey. I was almost on its way out, however, its only saving grace is the Magnite. No plans currently of future launches by Nissan India.
• Average Interior quality. Heck, my 9 year old Swift feels well put together.
• Nissan service network and experience is nothing to write home about. I have serious doubts on their capability to cope up with this kind of unseen surge in demand. We have already seen them stumbling with the sales experience!!
• Average ride quality.
• Not so fun to drive.
• Decent feature set.

Renault Kiger

Again, nearly identical to the Magnite and is almost the same car. I have driven the NA motor and found it decent. They are yet to launch the CVT variant which I am interested in.

The ride quality is marginally better than the Magnite which is a Renault forte anyways. However, what bothers me is that Renault has skimmed on the feature set in spite of it being around Rs 25k pricier than the Magnite. At least they should have retained the safety tech.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Due for a generation change by Q3 this year.

Were Maruti to offer this car in their 1.5L Diesel + 6-speed TC, this car would have been in the top contention. Alas! Maruti feels otherwise.

Other cars

Ford Ecosport

No doubt a wonderful car and well put together; but too old now. 7 years and still no generation change. Heck, even the Creta which was doing a stagger 10k a month got a generation change in 5 years.
Also, the rear seat is cramped and so is the width. Nothing great too offer in terms of features too.

Mahindra XUV300

Don't really feel it's worth the price. Plus no proper auto box.

Tata Nexon

AMT. Enough said.

Why not hatchbacks??

Hyundai i20

Possibly this car was on top of our list post the upsetting price by Kia Sonet. But this was another shocker! Rs 13 lakh on-road for a hatchback! You pay Rs 13 lakh and still need to compromise on the low seating (our requirement). Hence rejected.

Tata Altroz

Again, beautiful car marred by poor engine + gearbox combo by Tata. When's the DCT launching? I doubt even TATA's have an answer to that. Another negative, is the low slung seating.

In general, all the hatchbacks available currently are low-slung; hence, don't really qualify per se. We would have probably loved to own the German hatches (possibly the Fabia), but sadly there's nothing on the horizon from the SKODA-VW group.

We are in complete dilemma since the launch of the Kia Sonet, as we had our eyes set on that car and had even pre-booked it. But the pricing killed all the excitement. Not sure, whether investing Rs 15 lakhs in a SC-SUV actually makes sense.

Also, our Hyundai Creta will be due for an upgrade in another 2.5 - 3 years and hence I was thinking whether to pick a cheaper SC-SUV now, say the Nissan Magnite and save those bucks and invest in a much better car during the Creta upgrade.

It's been nearly 5 months that we've been looking for a car and we're not even halfway through.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

1. Buy the better car so you keep it for longer! The Sonet is the best of the lot. It has the best engine + gearbox combinations, just the right suspension tune and quality / features. The car is expensive, yes, but totally worth it in my opinion. You already own two cars that drive well, hence it is important to pick something that makes you "feel good" - please read this thread of mine (How a more expensive car can work out cheaper (if you hold onto it for longer)), get the Sonet and keep it for 10 years.

2. Your Creta does NOT need an upgrade in 2.5 years. Spend a little more on the Sonet and save that money by holding onto the Creta until it is 10 years old.

Just killed two birds with one stone . Whatever extra you are spending on the Sonet, you are saving by retaining the Creta for longer. The 1st-gen Creta might be old but - other than features - it is still very competent even by current standards. Decent power, excellent refinement, space & superior ride comfort to the 2nd-gen Creta.

The Magnite is a good VFM car for those on a budget. But if you can afford a Sonet, it is a vastly superior choice.

Here's what BHPian Vasanth had to say on the matter:

Between Magnite and Sonet,I would personally go for the Magnite

Reasons to pick Magnite :

• Reasonably priced
• Value for Money
• 4 star safety rating
• It is Nissan and Japanese. It should be pretty reliable on a long term.
• And it’s not Kia

Reasons Not to pick Sonet

• Overpriced (almost 15-16 lakhs OTR for a C-SUV)
• I have always felt Kia cars are - More Show than Go (showing off it’s Bose speaker system, Smart air purifier, Virus killer, Shark nose) only boasts about features and tech.
• If it’s bigger brother Seltos scored mere 3 stars for safety , what about this? (It is also based on K1 platform)
• It is common.
• Too many niggles and failures.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.