India’s traffic conditions are growing, and the demand for an automatic car seems the need of the hour. Now while automatic cars may have been costly to afford and run because of lower fuel economy figures, the modern times have ensured that, with a vast improvement in engine technology over the years, manufacturers have been able to produce automatic cars that aren’t too expensive compared to their manual counterparts. The current entry-level hatchback segment offers a decent range of options in the Indian market. We shortlist some of the best buys.
1) Tata Tiago AMT
Price: ₹ 6.6 lakh
Tata had recently launched a facelift version of the Tiago, available in five variants and two engine-gearbox combinations. The Tiago looks more stylish than cute now, with those sleeker headlights and front grille with the Tata’s signature ‘Humanity Line’ below in chrome. Even the front bumper gets a new shape with sharper lines and a new air dam, along with new fog lamp housings. The bonnet is slightly higher now, because it had to meet pedestrian safety norms. Walk to the rear, and you’ll notice a reshaped rear bumper and new tail lamp inserts. The cabin consists of new fabric for the seat upholstery. The Tiago is presented by a BS6-compliant, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine that makes 84bhp and 113Nm of torque, paired to an AMT gearbox. And the 1.05-litre diesel engine is not being sold anymore. The Tiago also gets a four-star Golbal NCAP rating.
Features include push button start, projector headlights and LED DRLs, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, Harman audio system, drive modes, 15-inch alloy wheels, electrically-adjustable and foldable wing mirrors and a digital instrument cluster. Safety kit includes ABS with EBD, dual airbags, rear parking sensors and corner stability control.
2) Maruti Suzuki Celerio AMT
Price: ₹ 5.58 lakh
The Maruti Suzuki Celerio is sold in various variants – ranging from the LXi variant to the top-of-the-line ZXi (O) AMT variant. The car is presented by a 998cc, three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 67bhp and 90Nm of torque, mated to an AMT automatic transmission. However, being a BS6-spec model, the car is not as fuel efficient as before. The Celerio looks sporty from the front with a reshaped bumper, smoked-out headlight cluster and a honeycomb grille with a chrome lining above. The side profile boasts an up-sweeping crease and alloy wheels, while the rear remains the same. On the safety front, it is equipped with ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and a speed alert system.
The dashboard is well put together and is very functional. The U-shaped centre console gets an audio system and air-con controls with the gear lever position a little high up. The black and beige plastics look great and the fit and finish is decent. The glovebox isn’t particularly large and boot space, at 235-litres, is good.
3) Datsun Redi-Go AMT
Price: ₹ 4.77 lakh
The new Datsun RediGo has received a huge facelift that includes, L-shaped DRLs, an aggressive-looking front bumper, slim headlights, a big, chrome-bordered grille along with LED fog lamps. The side profile remains the same, but it get two-tone wheel covers and adjustable wing mirrors. The RediGo AMT that is presented by a 1.0-litres engine that makes 67bhp and 91Nm of torque, synced to a an AMT gearbox available on the 1.0-litre model. While the 800cc motor version delivers 20.71kpl, the 999cc model delivers 21.7kpl. The AMT variant manages 22kpl. Features include new seat fabric, a rear parking camera and an 8.0-inch touch screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It comes in two new colours: blue and brown, and is obtainable in the six trims: 0.8D, 0.8A, 0.8T, 0.8T(O),1.0T(O) and 1.0T(O) AMT.
It gets a proper stick-shift for the automatic transmission. The new RediGo features improved interiors that include an all-new dashboard with a silver panel across it and of course, the new touchscreen unit. Quality has improved and legroom and headroom at the rear still impress.
4) Renault Kwid AMT
Price: ₹ 5.01 kakh
The Renault Kwid, with its futuristic design, is sure to attract a lot of buyers. At the front, it gets a split headlight design with LED DRLs on either side of the chrome-embellished front grille that gets horizontal slats, while the main headlamp is placed in the lower half of the bumper. Even the rear bumper has been updated while the tail lamps get LED clusters. To give it an SUV look, it gets roof rails, faux skid plates, orange accents and grey wheel covers. The Kwid AMT is presented by a 1.0-litre engine that makes 67bhp, mated to an AMT gearbox on the 1.0-litre model. Features include an 8.0-inch touch screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 14-inch alloy wheels, LED DRLs and a rear centre armrest. On the safety front, it is packed with reverse parking sensors, driver’s and passenger air bag and ABS with EBD. The car comes in five trim options: Standard, RxE, RxL, RxT and Climber.
The new steering looks great and is wrapped in perforated leather, and we particularly like the new digital instrument cluster. The dashboard too, gets a few updates and the glovebox is now larger. The quality, fit and finish remain the same though. The front seats offer good support, while at the rear, you sit a bit low.
5) Maruti Suzuki S-Pressos AMT
Price: ₹ 4.95 lakh
The S-Pressos is Maruti’s take on a micro SUV. You’ll notice that the halogen headlights sit flush with the slim grille that has chrome inserts, and there are LED DRLs below the headlights. It also gets black bumpers at the front and rear with body cladding on the sides. The high-set bonnet gives it a tall stance. The S-Pressos AMT is presented by a BS6-compliant 1.0-litre, K10B petrol engine that makes 67bhp and 90Nm, mated to an AMT gearbox. The S-Pressos AMT returns a mileage of 21.7kpl. It gets a host of features like a 7.0-inch Smart Play studio touch screen infotainment system with voice recognition, digital speedometer, steering mounted controls and a rear parcel tray. On the safety front, it gets ABS, rear parking sensors, speed alert, seat-belt reminders and driver’s side and passenger side air bag. Inside, the dashboard gets a centrally-mounted digital speedometer and tachometer with the touchscreen infotainment system below.
