MOST AFFORDABLE CARS, SUVS WITH DCT GEARBOXES

Automatic gearboxes in mass-market cars are quite prevalent these days, with even the most affordable car currently on sale in India - the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 - offering an automatic transmission in its variant line-up. It’s worth noting, though, that automatic gearboxes are broadly available in four different types, namely AMT (automated manual transmission), CVT (continuously variable transmission), torque converter, and DCT (dual-clutch transmission).

Of these, a DCT is the gearbox of choice for many enthusiasts thanks to its quick and responsive shifts, enabled by two separate clutches that individually manage odd and even gear sets. This naturally makes DCTs more expensive to produce, but nevertheless, this type of gearbox is offered with many mass-market cars. We’ve compiled 10 of the most affordable cars and SUVs you can currently buy with a DCT, in ascending order of price.

1. Tata Altroz

Price: Rs 10.30 lakh to Rs 11.49 lakh

Recently given a thorough facelift, the Altroz is not only the sole hatchback in India to offer a diesel engine option at the moment, but it’s also the most affordable DCT-equipped car currently on sale here. Lower trim levels of the Altroz get a 5-speed AMT, but a 6-speed DCT is available for the premium hatchback starting from its Creative S petrol variant, mated solely to the 88hp, 1.2-litre 3-cyl petrol engine. Diesel variants aren’t offered with an automatic transmission right now, but Tata is expected to add an AMT option for the Altroz CNG soon.

We tested the 6-speed DCT in the pre-facelift Altroz and found it to be a largely smooth unit. However, the gearbox isn’t the quickest compared to its peers, and we also noted a slight lag at the gearbox upon engaging reverse.

2. Hyundai i20 N Line

Price: Rs 11.19 lakh to Rs 12.56 lakh

The i20 N Line is the closest thing to a hot hatchback in the mass-market segment currently, and to befit its sporting credentials, Hyundai pairs it with a 7-speed DCT from the N6 Turbo trim onwards. This gearbox is mated to the sole 120hp, 1.0-litre 3-cyl turbo-petrol engine available with the i20 N Line.

In our review of the i20 N Line, the 7-speed DCT came across as smooth and well-sorted in operation, but it did feel a bit sluggish when using the paddle shifters for manual control. The DCT’s widely-spaced gear ratios can also cause the i20 N Line to lose some steam when driving on an uphill road.

3. Hyundai Venue

Price: Rs 11.95 lakh to Rs 14 lakh

The Venue is due for a generational update later this year, but as it stands, it’s the most affordable compact SUV to be equipped with a DCT. While the Venue is also available in sporty N Line form like the i20, the compact SUV differentiates itself by offering the same 7-speed DCT in its regular variants - starting from the S(O) Turbo trim. Much like the i20 N Line, the Venue’s DCT is paired with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine across all variants.

When we reviewed the Venue facelift in 2022, we noted that the 7-speed DCT shifts cogs briskly and effectively, but the gearbox can occasionally take a bit longer than expected to execute a downshift.

4. Tata Nexon

Price: Rs 12.20 lakh to Rs 14.70 lakh

The venerable Nexon has received two facelifts in its enduring lifecycle, and the more recent one in 2023 introduced a DCT option for the compact SUV’s 120hp, 1.2-litre 3-cyl petrol engine. This automatic gearbox is available from the Nexon’s Creative trim onwards. While the Altroz has a 6-speed DCT, the Nexon comes with a 7-speed unit.

In our review of the 2023 Nexon facelift, we found that the DCT is tuned more towards enhancing fuel efficiency, as it tends to set off from rest in second gear to conserve fuel. The DCT does smoothen out as the engine builds speed, though, with upshifts executed smoothly, but not as quickly as some rivals.

5. Kia Sonet

Price: Rs 12.74 lakh to Rs 14.94 lakh

The stylish and feature-packed Kia Sonet - facelifted just last year - shares its powertrains with its platform sibling, the Venue. That means the Sonet gets the same 7-speed DCT mated to the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the HTX trim onwards, albeit at a premium of nearly Rs 80,000 over its Hyundai-made cousin.

Our review of the Sonet facelift found that its DCT can occasionally be a bit clunky and slow in the lower bounds of the rev range, but its quick upshifts make good use of the motor’s pep.

6. Tata Curvv

Price: Rs 12.80 lakh to Rs 19.52 lakh

The Curvv sports a unique coupe SUV bodystyle, but what makes it more unique is that it’s the only mass-market car in India to offer a DCT across both petrol and diesel engine options. Starting from the Pure+ trim, Curvv buyers can opt for a 7-speed DCT with its 120hp, 1.2-litre ‘Revotron’ 3-cyl turbo-petrol engine and 118hp, 1.5-litre ‘Kryojet’ 4-cyl turbo-diesel mill. The Curvv’s stronger 125hp, 1.2-litre ‘Hyperion’ 3-cyl turbo-petrol engine gets the DCT from the Creative+ S trim level onwards.

We’ve reviewed the Curvv DCT with the Hyperion and Kryojet engines, and noted that it’s smooth and jerk-free while upshifting, but downshifts aren’t as quick as rival DCTs. The Curvv’s DCT also tends to keep shifting between first and second in low-speed city driving, which feels rather jerky. Oddly, the DCT doesn’t hold gears beyond 3,800rpm, even if you slot the gearbox into manual mode.

7. Kia Syros

Price: Rs 13.10 lakh to Rs 16.80 lakh

Launched just a few months ago, the Syros is a more offbeat compact SUV alternative that places a greater emphasis on interior space. Despite being built on a smaller platform than the Sonet and Venue, the Syros shares its powertrain options with the compact SUVs. Therefore, the Syros weds a 7-speed DCT to the familiar 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine starting from its HTK+ trim.

We drove the Syros DCT earlier this year, and found that much like the Venue and Sonet, the gearbox is a bit clunky at times, but smooth overall. However, the DCT does tend to upshift early in the interest of maximising fuel efficiency, so it can downshift more than expected should you give it the beans abruptly.

8. Hyundai Verna

Price: Rs 15.27 lakh to Rs 17.58 lakh

The Verna stands strong as one of the few remaining mid-size sedans on sale in India, and the 160hp, 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol engine offered in pricier trims also makes it the most powerful offering in the segment. Complementing the Verna’s sporty engine is a 7-speed DCT, which can be had from the S(O) Turbo trim level onwards.

In our review of the Verna, we noted that the DCT gearbox feels surprisingly smooth in tandem with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and shifts aren’t clunky either, making the sedan suitable both for daily commutes and enthusiastic romps. For the latter, though, using the paddle shifters is recommended.

9. Skoda Slavia

Price: Rs 16.39 lakh to Rs 18.39 lakh

The Slavia sits on the European end of the mid-size sedan segment along with its platform sibling, the Virtus. It’s offered with both 115hp, 1.0-litre 3-cyl and 150hp, 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol engines, but only the latter gets a 7-speed DCT - or as Volkswagen calls it, the DSG. For many enthusiasts, the DSG is the gold standard for DCTs in terms of shift times and responsiveness, and Skoda offers this gearbox in the Slavia starting from its Sportline 1.5L TSI DSG variant.

Our road test of the Slavia revealed that the shorter gears of the DCT makes for a lively driving experience, and the intuitive shift logic and negligible turbo lag also make it great for urban commuting. Out on the highway, the Slavia’s DCT makes overtaking a breeze, and should you crave more involvement, manual control is always available via the paddle shifters.

10. Volkswagen Taigun

Price: Rs 17.36 lakh to Rs 19.83 lakh

Rounding off this list is the Taigun, Volkswagen India’s entry-level SUV offering. Being part of the German carmaker’s India 2.0 initiative, the Taigun shares its powertrains with the Slavia, Virtus, and Kushaq. To that end, the Taigun comes equipped with a 7-speed DCT (or DSG) from its GT 1.5 TSI variant onwards, mated to the 150hp, 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol engine.

In our review of the Taigun, we found that the 7-speed DSG is characteristically smooth with seamless shifts. While the gearbox tends to shift to higher gears to save fuel in the regular ‘D’ mode, engaging Sport mode will make the DCT hold on to cogs for longer. Like the Slavia, the Taigun also has paddle shifters.

All prices ex-showroom, India.

Also see:

Hyundai Verna: Your questions answered

Skoda Kylaq AT vs Kia Syros DCT: Performance comparison

2025-06-19T03:33:35Z