Top 5 Automatic SUVs under ₹12 lakh

SUVs, automatic gearboxes and affordability, do these three go together? In India, yes, because Indian manufacturers are going that extra mile by carving out new segments altogether and the demands of the consumers need to be addressed. So here are five of the most affordable SUVs with an automatic gearbox.

1) Nissan Magnite

AMT Price: ₹6.60 - 8.97 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

CVT Price: ₹10 - 11.11 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

Let's start this list with a Japanese SUV, the Nissan Magnite. It has two engine options – a 1-litre petrol engine and a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine. The former gets an AMT, while the latter gets a CVT. The AMT has a noticeable lag whereas the CVT is refined and responsive but with that trademark rubber band effect. Interestingly, the Magnite is also the most affordable car to get a 360-degree camera. Nissan offers the Magnite with eight manual trims and seven automatic trims.

2) Renault Kiger

AMT Price: ₹7.10 - 9.30 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

CVT Price: ₹10.30 - 11 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

The Magnite’s French cousin, the Renault Kiger also comes with the exact same powertrain options. Gearbox tuning is also very similar to the Magnite, with a slight bit of lag and headbobbing coming from the AMT and a rubber band effect coming from the CVT. The Kiger is one of the most affordable SUVs with an 8-inch touchscreen that has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Unlike Nissan, Renault offers the Kiger with seven manual and eight automatic trims.   

3) Tata Punch

AMT Price: ₹7.60 - 10.20 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

Unsurprisingly, this list consists of the smallest SUVs from all manufacturers and the Punch is no different. It also gets an AMT but unlike the ones before it, it comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine. There’s a bit of hesitation from the AMT when shifting gears initially but it then smoothens out. One of the standout features of the Punch is the 90-degree opening for all four doors, making ingress and egress a bit easier. The Punch gets eight manual and seven automatic trims.

4) Hyundai Exter

AMT Price: ₹8.23 - 10 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

Interestingly the only car with an AMT to get paddle shifters is the Hyundai Exter! The AMT still has a bit of a pause while upshifting but Hyundai has managed to find some degree of refinement for it. Like the Punch, the Exter also gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine. The Exter AMT may be an expensive proposition, but the refinement of the AMT and the paddle shifters kind of justify that, no? Another plus point of the Exter is that it’s the most affordable SUV on this list to get a sunroof. The Exter gets five manual and four automatic trims.

5) Hyundai Venue

DCT Price: ₹11.86 - 13.33 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

Another interesting entry in this list is the Hyundai Venue. While Hyundai offers a plethora of powertrain options – there’s the petrol, the turbo-petrol and it also gets a diesel engine. However, the Venue only gets the automatic gearbox with the turbo-petrol engine and unlike the rest, it’s a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The shifts are relatively quick and seamless, it’s an impressive gearbox overall. Also, the Venue is the only SUV on this list to get ADAS! The Venue gets eight manual and three automatic trims.