Looking for a budget-friendly, petrol-powered AMT SUV that meets your needs? We compile a list of vehicles available on the market, including the Tata Punch and Nexon.
SUV sales are at an all-time high, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. In the last decade, its market share has been rapidly expanding, decimating the sedan class. As it approaches 50 per cent market share, can anyone recall when the Indian automobile sector had two SUVs as the top best-selling vehicles in the country?
March 2024 made history as the mini SUV, Tata Punch, surged to first place, followed by the midsize SUV, Hyundai Creta. Last month, 50 per cent of the top ten best-selling vehicles in India were SUVs, led by the Punch, Creta, Mahindra Scorpio, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Tata Nexon. Here are the top five most budget-friendly automatic SUVs in the market.
Nissan Magnite / Renault Kiger: Rs 6.60 lakh / Rs 7.1 lakh
We have clubbed both the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger as they share the same platform, engines and transmission options. Last year, Nissan launched the AMT version of the Magnite and ever since then, it has been the most affordable automatic SUV. The Nissan Magnite AMT is available in five variants and starts from Rs 6.60 lakh to Rs 8.74 lakh, ex-showroom.
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The Renault Kiger, on the other hand, costs Rs 50,000 more and starts from Rs 7.1 lakh, ex-showroom. The Renault SUV comes in six variants and is from Rs 7.1 lakh to Rs 9.53 lakh, ex-showroom. Both the SUVs are powered by a 1-litre naturally aspirated engine with 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque. This powertrain is also available with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Tata Punch: Rs 7.60 lakh
Tata Punch created history by becoming the number one best-selling car in March 2024. With SUVs now topping the sales charts, the Punch is available in multiple transmissions and petrol and CNG. We focus on the AMT range that begins from Rs 7.60 lakh, ex-showroom.
The micro SUV is powered by a 1.2-litre with an output of 86 bhp and 115 Nm. It is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. To ensure that the AMT options are available across the portfolio, there are ten variants in the market which cost from Rs 7.60 lakh to Rs 8.95 lakh, ex-showroom.
Hyundai Exter: Rs 8.22 lakh
In the summer of 2023, Hyundai launched the Exter, which received over 50,000 bookings within a month. Since then the micro SUV has been one of the top 10 selling four-wheelers in India. The Exter offers a long list of segment-first features and tops it with convenience and practical functions.
Being a direct rival to the Tata Punch, the Exter is also available in petrol and CNG. The petrol version has a 1.2-litre engine under the hood that churns out 82 bhp and 113.8 Nm with an option of either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. Hyundai Exter AMT isoffered in six variants starting from Rs 8.23 lakh to Rs 10.28 lakh, ex-showroom.
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Maruti Suzuki Fronx: Rs 8.87 lakh
Love it or hate it, but the Maruti Suzuki Fronx does have its unique road presence. One may call it a raised Baleno or a crossover, but the bottom line is that the company is laughing its way to the bank as it recorded sales of 12,351 units last month.
The Fronx is the most affordable coupe SUV in the market and is equipped with all the safety and convenience features. The Fronx is powered by an 88.5 bhp 1.2-litre with a torque of 113 Nm. It comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The AMT version is available in two trims, Delta Plus at Rs 9.27 lakh and Delta at Rs 8.87 ex-showroom.
Tata Nexon: Rs 9.99 lakh
The Tata Nexon sneaks into the list as the AMT version starts at Rs 9.99 lakh, ex-showroom. No doubt, it is one of the most popular sub-4 metre SUVs in the market. The SUV clocked 14,058 units in March 2024.
The Nexon AMT comes in nine variants and is the only SUV in this list that gets a turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 6-speed AMT gearbox. The 1.2-litre powertrain has an output of 88 bhp and 170 Nm. The prices begin from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 13 lakh, ex-showroom.
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