These Are The Best Automatic Cars You Can Buy In Each Segment Right Now

More Indians are adopting automatics as the market becomes populated with two pedal cars to choose from. And why wouldn’t they, given our congested roads, frequent traffic interruptions, and utter disregard for traffic rules? Apart from the ease of navigation, the learning curve for automatics is less steep than stick-shift cars. While petrolheads in the US and Japan rue disappearing standard transmissions, the situation isn’t as dire in India. Here’s our pick of the best automatics you can buy in each segment:

Auto Barges: Rs 50 lakh and above

While manual options get rarer as the price goes up, they practically become extinct past Rs 50 lakh. Only some sportscars are offered with a stick shift in India. With more performance cars leaning toward quick-shifting automatics, fewer manuals would be available in the future in this price segment. So you really can't go wrong Read our story about the Mercedes lineup for this year here. 

Entry-Level Luxury: Rs 30 lakh to 40 lakh

Full-size SUVs are aplenty in this segment, but you can also buy some luxury sedans, compact SUVs, and hatchbacks. If you prefer utility, the Skoda Kodiaq is the car of choice. MG is expected to introduce the Maxus D90 sometime this year, too. But luxury cars like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 start at around Rs 35 lakh. Most European cars in this segment come with dual-clutch transmissions. 

Big-Car Money: Rs 20 lakh to 30 lakh

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

You would be spoilt for choice in this segment if you are an automatic car buyer, more so if you want an SUV. The Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Fortuner, Mahindra Alturas G4, and a number of other full-size SUVs are available in this budget. There are a few sedans in this segment as well, like the Skoda Superb. Most of these cars are equipped with torque converters. If MPVs are your jam, Kia is all set to launch the Carnival MPV in the country. While SUVs in this range don't exactly sip fuel, sedans like the Superb, at a claimed 19kmpl for the TDI diesel variant. 

Mid-Sizer Territory: Rs 15 lakh to 20 lakh

The MG Hector and Kia Seltos are recent entrants to this segment. Most cars in this price bracket come with torque converters, but DCT and CVT models are available as well. Many of these come with two automatic options, one each for petrol and diesel powertrains. For example, the Kia Seltos has a dual-clutch on the petrol version but a torque converter on the diesel. The Civic’s petrol powertrain comes with a CVT while the Skoda Octavia comes with a DSG. The latter is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in this budget, with a claimed 21kmpl. New entrants coming this year include the Skoda Vision IN SUV.   

Entrypoint of Affluence: Rs 10 lakh to 15 lakh Segment

This segment comprises of proper sedans like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. Several compact and mid-size SUVs also fall into this price segment. If you don't mind waiting, the all-new City and facelifted Verna will be launched later this year. AMTs cease to exist from this price point onward. While the City comes with a CVT, other cars such as the upcoming and current-gen Hyundai Creta come with a conventional torque-converter automatic. Some cars like the Volkswagen Polo GT cars and the Hyundai Venue are equipped with dual-clutch automatic transmissions. Honda City CVT is among the most fuel-efficient petrol automatics here, but diesels still have the upper hand. The Verna gets 21kmpl. 

Also read:
Top 10 Cars We Can’t Wait To Get Our Hands On In 2020!
Hyundai India At Auto Expo 2020: What To Expect?

Feature-Laden Sub-4m: Rs 7 lakh to 10 lakh Segment

Premium hatchbacks, sub-4m sedans, and some compact SUVs fall in this section. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has a Delta Petrol variant starting at Rs 7.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Maruti also offers the Vitara Brezza with an AMT at Rs 8.64 lakh. Other alternatives are the Honda Jazz and Amaze, Hyundai Elite i20, and Tata Nexon. The Amaze diesel is among the most fuel-efficient cars in this segment, with a claimed 24kmpl. 

Small Car, Big Driveability: Rs 5 lakh to 7 lakh Segment

At this price point, buyers can get a few more features and creature comforts by spending a bit more than absolutely necessary for their wheels. If space and utility is all you need, the CVT-equipped Datsun GO, especially the GO+, offer it in spades. Alternatively, you can buy a mid-spec hatchback like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, whose AGS (also an AMT) model comes in at Rs 6.61 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Renault will launch the Triber AMT MPV in this budget early this year. The Swift diesel is the most fuel-efficient of these, with a claimed 28.4kmpl.

Bargain Basement Convenience: The Entry-Level Segment

If all you want is a steering wheel and two pedals for the least financial commitment, this segment offers various choices like the Renault Kwid, Datsun Redi-GO, Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, Alto K10, and the Hyundai Santro. All of these cars are equipped with an automated manual transmission (AMT). The most pocket-friendly of these are the Kwid and the Redi-GO, which cost Rs 4.63 lakh and Rs 4.37 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively, for the automatic variants. The S-Presso is the most fuel efficient here with a tested 21.75kmpl on the highway.