Maruti Fronx, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Tata Punch: which is the best automatic city SUV?

Which is the best compact SUV/crossover for under Rs 10 lakh to replace my 2014 Ford Ecosport automatic? I need a car with basic features like power windows, electric mirrors and a music system. The car will be used within the city, for short distances only.

Arihant Mohta, Mumbai

Autocar India says: The automatic options you have for under Rs 10 lakh are Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Tata Punch. Out of these, the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger get a powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with a CVT (automatic), which is the nicest and smoothest combination for city driving. These cars are well-equipped too, and since they’re based on the same platform, they feel quite similar from behind the wheel. Between the two, pick whichever you think looks better.

But if you want to look beyond these, the Maruti Fronx is a great option. It is dressed to impress; it is spacious and quite practical. The version under Rs 10 lakh gets a really nice and efficient 1.2-litre petrol engine, with the only fly-in-the-ointment being its automated manual transmission (AMT), which isn’t nearly as smooth as the Magnite’s and Kiger’s CVT, or even your Ecosport’s dual-clutch transmission.

The Tata Punch is the most affordable, however, like the Maruti, it uses a slow-to-respond AMT, which, combined with its 1.2-litre petrol engine’s lacklustre performance, isn’t quite as nice to drive as the other three.

Also See:

Maruti Suzuki Fronx review: Return of the Boosterjet

Maruti Suzuki Fronx video review

2022 Renault Kiger video review

2022 Renault Kiger 1.0 Turbo CVT review: A good increment

Nissan Magnite review, test drive

Nissan Magnite video review

Tata Punch review, test drive

Tata Punch video review