Best Automatic Cars in India 2023

Indian car buyers have been seen migrating towards automatic cars in the last few years. This is because automatic transmissions offer quicker gear changes, better fuel-efficiency, and a relatively convenient driving experience especially in heavy traffic. Now, before you go out and buy your next car, you must learn about which automatic transmission is best suited to your needs. There are broadly four types of automatic transmissions – Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and a Torque Converter. To assist you in making an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best cars with each of these transmission types, all priced under Rs. 20 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Also Read – Best Cars Under 20 Lakhs

List of Best Automatic Cars In India Under Rs 20 Lakh

Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS

The Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS is the least expensive car on this list, and yet, if you take a look at its brochure list, you won’t find all that much missing. It’s a wonderfully equipped car and its size too is a boon in crowded metro cities. The automatic version of the Grand i10 can be had with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, that does well enough for both city and highway journeys. The AMT in question has been refined over the years, and now offers a jerk-free driving experience. This was a problem that was previously associated with AMTs, but modern day units of this transmission have come a long way and offer a smooth drive.

Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated, four cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 21 kmpl
• Airbags: 4
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

Also Read – Cheapest AMT Car In India

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The Baleno, when it was recently updated, migrated from a CVT transmission to an AMT. Maruti has been a pioneer in AMT technology in India, and the latest iteration of the Baleno’s AMT unit is one of the smoothest among mass-market cars. It likes to be driven with light throttle inputs, but if you do want to give it the beans, we recommend that you engage the manual mode by pushing the transmission lever to the side and changing gears manually. This ensures a smoother gear shift experience. Overall, the Baleno excels in most areas relevant to car buyers.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated, four cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 22.9 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

Also Read – 5 Seater Cars

Renault Kiger

The Renault Kiger is one SUV that garnered a huge response from car buyers, primarily for the way it looks. It is one of the better looking cars on this list, but that’s not why it is here. The turbo-petrol engine combined with the CVT is one of the most responsive powertrains in its segment, making it effortless to drive around town. But, if you’re in a hurry, the powertrain adapts quickly to your requirements and offers grunt without making any fuss. The Kiger performs quite well in crowded areas, with no transmission lag. 

Renault Kiger Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre, turbocharged, three cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 18.2 kmpl
• Airbags: 4
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – CVT Cars In India

Honda City

The Honda City is undeniably one of the most popular car names in India, having been in production for a remarkable 25 years. In its latest avatar, it gets a petrol engine that can be mated to a CVT transmission. Some may feel that this is an odd pairing for a sporty sedan like the Honda City, but Honda’s tuned the CVT to deliver quite a responsive and peppy driving experience. The City’s naturally aspirated petrol engine provides instant power when you press down on the throttle, without any noticeable delay. Essentially, the Honda City with a CVT will be perfect both for city and highway journeys.

Honda City Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated, four cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 18.4 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

Also Read – Petrol Cars

Hyundai i20

The Hyundai i20, now in its third generation, has gotten sportier than ever. The turbo-petrol engine coupled with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, more commonly known as a DCT, is a significant indication of its sportier design. This type of transmission is suited for performance, and the i20 with this powertrain is one of the quickest cars in its segment. In fact, Hyundai didn’t even change the powertrain before putting it into the more racy version of the i20, the N Line. That should tell you all you need to know about this car. The DCT does well at a sedate pace also, however, it’s you who will be tempted to squeeze out a little more performance every time, quite simply because it’s so easily extractable.

Hyundai i20 Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre, turbocharged, three cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 20.2 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

Also Read – 6 Airbags Cars

Volkswagen Taigun

The Volkswagen Group has been responsible for the advent of DCTs or dual clutch transmissions, and the Taigun features one of the most enjoyable utilisations of this technology. Paired with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, the DCT (or DSG as Volkswagen likes to call it) can change its colours at the slightest depression of the throttle pedal. Take it easy and it acts all calm and smooth, offering buttery-smooth shifts. If you go the other way and put your foot down, it doesn’t hesitate at all and instantly shifts into the lowest gear possible. The DSG is then the best of both worlds – offering great low speed drive and great high speed performance.

Volkswagen Taigun Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged, four cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 17.88 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – Best SUV In India

Kia Seltos

The Seltos stands out on this list as one of the older cars,  and in fact, the only car with a diesel engine. Its 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a torque converter is one of the smoothest powertrains available on the market. While the Kia Seltos shines in low-speed urban driving, delivering excellent fuel efficiency, it is equally adept at taking on the demands of highway driving. The best thing about this gearbox is that it rarely trips up, and offers a smooth experience irrespective of the environment you drive it in.

Kia Seltos Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged, four cylinder, diesel
• Transmission: Torque Converter
• Mileage: 18 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – Diesel Cars In India

Skoda Slavia

The Skoda Slavia’s powertrain is an impressive combination of a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a torque converter. The engine is quite peppy low down in the rev-range, and the torque converter makes the most use of it. It may feel a little jumpy in crawling traffic, but it’s perfect for those people who like to squeeze into gaps. Once the revs climb up, the torque converter delivers power smoothly to the front wheels, all the way to the redline. It can also show a sense of urgency in the way it downshifts if you press the throttle hard, and what impresses the most is that its shift times are quite close to that of DCTs.

Skoda Slavia Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre, turbocharged, three cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: Torque Converter
• Mileage: 18 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

Also Read – Sedan Cars In India

Best Automatic Cars In India Under Rs 20 Lakh Summary

The Indian car market is filled with different types of automatic transmissions to choose from. AMTs are excellent for low-speed driving and fuel efficiency, while CVTs are the easiest to drive, although the driving experience can come across as a bit dull for those who like their drives to be a bit more spirited. DCTs are the epitome of performance in terms of shift performance and smoothness, but come at a premium price. The modern day torque converter on the other hand is the most versatile of the lot,  although it can’t outrightly beat any of the transmissions at their own strengths. Ultimately, pick a transmission based on the kind of driving you do, and experience you desire.