Top 10 Best Small Automatic Cars in India for 2024

Small cars in India make a lot of sense. If you keep aside the financial aspect for a moment, the fact that compact proportions, fuel efficiency and ease of driving are the primary needs of a majority of car owners in India is something that’s undeniable. Given just how congested our roads are today, especially in Tier I cities, the need of the hour is for a car that can get people to their destination in the quickest and most fuss-free manner possible.

With that in mind, it’s no wonder that cars with small footprints do so well in India. Of course, it should also be pointed out that the Indian consumer’s buying preferences are constantly evolving, and so it’s not as simple a job for car manufacturers to produce a car that’s just small and efficient. It also needs to be affordable, feature-laden, and having an automatic transmission option is a great addition too, for obvious reasons.

If you’re in the market for just such a car then, our guide to the best automatic small cars in India will be a great starting point. This list features a selection of car manufacturers (with the dominant producer being Maruti Suzuki), with varied offerings. The thread tying them all together, however, is that they’re all small cars (regardless of body style), fuel efficient, packed with features, have an automatic transmission option, and feature affordable price tags. 

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1. Hyundai Exter | Length: 3815 mm

Hyundai has been a consistent player in the mass-market segment, and the Exter micro-crossover is no exception. Launched in 2023, the Exter is ideal if you want the compact proportions of a hatchback, but with the added flexibility of an SUV form factor.

A direct consequence of its tall-boy design is that cabin space receives a shot in the arm, so ferrying up to five passengers won’t be a concern. It also makes enough power. There’s just one engine option: a 1.2-litre petrol unit that makes 82 bhp and 114 Nm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the latter being a convenient pick if you deal with heavy traffic situations often.

Hyundai’s cars have come to be quite popular thanks to the amount of features they pack in. In this regard, the Exter carries on that trend. The highlights are a factory-fitted two-way dash cam, a sunroof, and even paddle shifters for the AMT-equipped variants. On the whole, the Exter stands out as a great compact option that’s comfortable, spacious, efficient (up to 27.1 kmpl) and affordable (starting ex-showroom price of ₹6.1 lakh. 

Hyundai Exter Key Specifications

Hyundai Exter Key Features

• Dash Cam
• Sunroof
• Paddle shifters with AMT

2. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Length: 3815 mm

Hyundai has had quite a few successful vehicles over the years, and a great example is the Grand i10. Since its launch more than a decade ago in 2013, the Grand i10 has always been the go-to choice for a fuss-free, no-nonsense and capable small car. In its latest avatar, the Grand i10 Nios, it’s a great option to consider if you want a compact car that can do it all. It’s compact, but spacious enough for up to five passengers on the inside, comes with plenty of features, and is easy to manoeuvre in urban driving conditions.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 82 bhp and 114 Nm, which is a considerable amount more than most other cars on this list. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the latter making it easy to drive even for beginners. Efficiency is respectable too, with the Grand i10 Nios returning up to 26.2 kmpl.

The Grand i10’s feature list is quite impressive for a small car. Highlights include cruise control, wireless phone charging and up to six airbags. With a starting price of ₹5.9 lakh, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios comes across as an affordable, comfortable, spacious, efficient and easy to drive car in the compact car space.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Specifications

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Features

• Cruise control
• Wireless phone charging
• Up to six airbags

3. Tata Tiago | Length: 3765 mm

Measuring in at a length of just 3,765 mm, the Tata Tiago should definitely be on your list if what you need is a well-designed, affordable, and compact-yet-spacious car.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 84 bhp and 113 Nm, and you get two transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. The Tiago is available in five variants: XE, XM, XT (O), XT and the range-topping XZ+. In terms of features, you get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fully digital instrument cluster, auto climate control and a cooled glovebox, among others.

Safety features include ABS with EBD, two airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. The Tiago’s boot space, at 242 litres, isn’t the most generous, but the rear seats are comfortable and seating five in the Tiago is possible.

The Tiago’s price starts at ₹5.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and comes across as a well-rounded package in the compact car space. 

Tata Tiago Key Specifications

Tata Tiago Key Features

• Digital instrument cluster
• Auto climate control
• 8-speaker sound system

4. Renault Kwid | Length: 3731 mm

The Renault Kwid might not be setting the sale charts on fire, but that hardly tells the whole story. At its core, the Kwid is a competent, efficient, quirky and convenient option to consider in the hatchback segment.

In terms of dimensions, it’s slightly larger than rivals like the Alto K10 and the S-Presso, but that doesn’t take away from the ease with which it’s able to navigate dense traffic conditions. Powering it is a 999cc petrol engine that makes 67 bhp and 91 Nm, and you can pair it with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. One of the Kwid’s highlights is that it has light controls, so navigating tight parking spots or dense traffic isn’t stressful. It also rides well, so bumps and potholes aren’t a concern.

The Kwid is also quite efficient, returning up to 22 kmpl. With a starting price of just ₹4.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Kwid makes for a strong contender as a compact, efficient, easy-to-drive, and affordable city runabout.

Renault Kwid Key Specifications

Renault Kwid Key Features

• Reverse camera
• Rear power windows
• Rear armrest

5. Maruti Suzuki Ignis | Length: 3700 mm

The Ignis was meant to showcase Maruti Suzuki’s ability to experiment with design, all the while ticking the boxes that usually make the brand’s offerings so successful. Since its launch in 2017, however, Maruti will be the first to admit that the Ignis hasn’t had the kind of success it anticipated.

That said, if quirky styling, compact proportions, and a driving experience that’s easy and fun are your priorities, then the Maruti Suzuki Ignis should be high up on your considerations list.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 82 bhp and 113 Nm, which is more than enough for city conditions. The Ignis’s controls are light, so navigating dense traffic is easy to do. What also helps is that it gets the option of a 5-speed AMT (there’s also a 5-speed manual option), so you can give your left leg a break during drives.

Cabin space is good enough for five passengers, but four aboard will be more comfortable for longer distances. The Ignis is also fairly efficient, with it returning up to 20.89 kmpl. Finally, with a starting price of ₹5.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Ignis makes for an interesting choice thanks to its compact proportions, ease of driving, and affordability.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Features

• LED projector headlamps
• Maruti Suzuki-offered customisation options
• Dual airbags, ABS with EBD standard across the range

6. Maruti Suzuki Celerio | Length: 3695 mm

There are lots of reasons behind the Maruti Suzuki Celerio’s continued success in the hatchback segment. Its blend of compact proportions, light controls, ease of driving, and just generally being a well-rounded package make it hard to ignore.

It features a 998cc petrol engine that makes 66 bhp and 89 Nm, and it’s paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The latter is a great option for those who are just learning how to drive. The Celerio is also very efficient, returning up to 34.4 kmpl. The cabin is also spacious enough to seat up to five passengers, making it a great option if you need to ferry people within city limits.

Once you factor in the Celerio’s starting ex-showroom price of ₹5.3 lakh, it’s hard to ignore the overall value it brings as a compact, affordable, practical and efficient city runabout.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Key Features

• Passive keyless entry
• Idle engine start/stop
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment

7. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R | Length: 3655 mm

A quick scan of any populated road in India, and it would be surprising if you didn’t spot a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R before long. It’s not just a popular option as a private vehicle, fleet taxi owners also see the appeal in the Wagon R. The hatchback’s blend of a tall-boy design, a spacious cabin, and comfortable ride quality make it an easy and convenient option in the segment.

The Wagon R is available in two petrol options, a 1.0-litre and a 1.2-litre. Only the ZXi and ZXi+ variants get the latter, though. There’s also a CNG option that helps boost efficiency. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or an AMT. 

Features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, steering mounted controls for the infotainment, rear wiper, defogger, and outside rear-view mirrors with integrated turn indicators. As for safety, the Wagon R comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP, and also rear parking sensors and a hill-hold assist function.

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R packs in a lot of value as a comfortable, easy to drive, and practical city runabout, especially once you factor in its starting price (₹5.5 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Features

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• 60:40 split rear seat
• ABS with EBD

8. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso | Length: 3565 mm

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso definitely comes across as one of the brand’s more quirky offerings. It might not have sold as many units as Maruti would like to admit, but the fact is that the S-Presso is a competent, comfortable, and compact everyday city runabout. Measuring in at a maximum length of 3565 mm, the S-Presso is the smallest crossover SUV on sale in India.

Despite the S-Presso’s compact proportions, it doesn’t impact the cabin space negatively. At a push, you can squeeze in five passengers and a bit of luggage if it’s required. What’s also great about the S-Presso is that it makes enough power to tackle city conditions. There’s a 998cc petrol engine that makes 56 bhp and 82 Nm, and you can pair it with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. It’s also very efficient (with up to 32 kmpl if you opt for the CNG version), and is easy to manoeuvre, especially in dense traffic conditions.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Features

• 7-inch touchscreen
• Steering-mounted control

9. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 | Length: 3,530 mm

The Maruti Suzuki Alto has been a regular occupant on our roads, and is one of the most successful cars (in terms of sales numbers) not just for the brand, but for the market as a whole. Since its launch way back in 2000, the Alto’s been through multiple iterations, with each successive variation improving on what was already great about the entry-level hatchback in the first place.

As far as compact daily runabouts go, it’s hard to overlook the latest variant, the Alto K10. Its proportions (its length is well under the sub-4-metre mark at 3,530mm) make it the smallest ICE-powered car you can buy in India. On top of that, the light controls make it easy to manoeuvre in traffic, and ideal if you’re a new driver.

The Alto K10 also makes a decent amount of grunt. A total power output of 56 bhp and 82.1 Nm from a 998c petrol engine may not sound like world-beating figures, but thanks to the Alto K10’s low kerb weight, it feels sprightly in city conditions. What also helps is that the Alto K10 is offered in two transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the latter once again being handy for first-time drivers. Once you consider its starting price of ₹3.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it’s easy to see why so many buyers put their trust in the Alto K10. 

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Key Features

• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment
• AGS automatic transmission

10. MG Comet EV | Length: 2974 mm

If what you’re looking for is a tiny hatchback that has one eye out on the future, the MG Comet EV may be the best bet today. With a length of just 2,974 mm (and an equally miniscule width of 1,505 mm), the Comet EV is sure to fit into places no other compact car would dare to go. Also, as the name suggests, it’s an electric vehicle, making it one of a kind on this list. For the record, the MG Comet EV is the smallest car you can buy in India.

But while it may look compact on the outside, the Comet EV manages to surprise with the amount of cabin space on offer. While the second row isn’t exactly the most spacious here, the front manages to offer plenty of room. What’s also surprising is the boot space of 350 litres, and the plush and feature-rich interiors.

The Comet EV comes powered by a 17.3 kWh battery that makes 41 bhp and 110 Nm. Its output may not be something to write home about, but the Comet EV has adequate grunt to tackle urban conditions. The ride quality is also absorbent, despite it getting tiny 12-inch tyres, so bumpy roads won’t be an issue.

As for its range, the Comet EV is rated at 230 km on a full charge, which is more than adequate for a city runabout. The small  EV has a starting price of ₹6.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which might make it the most expensive on this list, but it’s still an overall affordable, competent, and compact city runabout that’s well worth considering.

MG Comet EV Key Specifications

MG Comet EV Key Features

• Dual 10.25-inch screens
• LED head- and tail-lamps
• Reverse camera

Conclusion

Small cars were once considered a compromise. While they delivered on their promise of a compact footprint, there generally wasn’t much else of considerable value attached to compact cars. That is no longer the case for compact cars in India in 2024.

As this list proves, small cars today come with a lot of interesting features, a surprising amount of cabin space, great efficiency, and quite a bit of variation in terms of styling too. Understandably, the average price of a small car has gone up considerably to adjust for inflation and rising input costs, among others. That said, the value these cars provide has also shot up commensurately. Whether it’s as a first car, or as a supplement to your garage, small cars today make a lot of sense, and the varied options on offer make it a buyer’s market.

FAQs

Q. Why are small cars good for city commuting?

Owing to their compact proportions, small cars make for excellent city runabouts as they are easy to manoeuvre and park.

Q. Which is the best small automatic car?

As a complete and well-rounded package, the Tata Tiago and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios make for some of the best small automatic cars on offer today thanks to their refined and well tuned AMT gearboxes.

Q. Which automatic car gives the highest mileage?

With up to 34.4 kmpl, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is one of the most efficient small automatic cars on sale today.

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of automatic cars?

Ease of use and safety are among the biggest advantages of automatic cars. More moving parts (hence a greater chance of failure compared to manuals), and expense (acquisition cost, and higher maintenance costs) are some of their disadvantages.