Automatic Compact SUV Shootout – The Big Pretenders

One thing becomes perfectly clear: just one category isn’t enough. The sub-four-metre compact SUV space has more than a few different players with a very different list of features and equipment level. There are a variety of choices of varying premium-ness based on price tags. The Nissan Magnite has the most affordable entry-level automatic with the XL CVT starting at Rs 7.89 lakh (ex-showroom). This XV Premium top variant with the optional Tech Pack — Rs 39k more for puddle lamps, LED sill plates, ambient lighting, JBL speakers, wireless charger, and an air-purifier — costs Rs 9.74 lakh. Even so, it feels built to a price and there are some elements that are testimony to that.

The Hyundai Venue is next, with the 1.0 turbo and DCT pairing in S trim starting at Rs 9.67 lakh, while the iMT starts with the SX trim at Rs 10.00 lakh. The lower variants lose out on quite a bit of kit but, then again, the higher-spec cars don’t make for eye-friendly price tags. This SX(O) Sport iMT costs Rs 11.28 lakh, while the SX(O) Sport DCT costs Rs 11.65 lakh. That may seem steep to many but, if build quality, fit-and-finish, ergonomics, refinement, and the equipment on offer are considered, there is more than sufficient evidence as to why the price is higher.

The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is in the middle here, surprisingly or not considering there is no automatic version in base LXi trim, starting from Rs 9.75 lakh for the VXi AT trim — a full Rs 1.4 lakh more than its manual counterpart. The top-end ZXi+ AT we have here is Rs 11.15 lakh. Conversely, the Toyota version costs from 5k more, with the Mid AT variant costing Rs 9.80 lakh and the top-end Premium AT Rs 11.30 lakh. The Vitara Brezza has received a solid four stars by the Global NCAP for crash safety and that is another feather in its cap.

Finally, the Kia Sonet. It stood out head and shoulders from the others. It’s a conditioned compact crossover that doesn’t shy away from delivering the oomph on tap with the goodies from much larger and way more expensive cars. It will give premium names four times the price a run for their money in the ride quality, refinement, and equipment departments while keeping its footprint slightly more compact. Its evolution is evident. It has a seemingly Stinger-inspired punch with Sportage vibes in the way it effortlessly tackles the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle while also being capable of munching miles at ease on the open road.

The Sonet starts from Rs 9.99 lakh for the HTX iMT with the dual-clutch automatic 1.0 turbo versions starting at Rs 10.49 lakh for the HTK+ DCT. The top-end GTX+ DCT costs Rs 12.89 lakh. The kicker for the Sonet is that it’s the only compact vehicle with a diesel engine and torque-converter automatic combination. Two variants of the 115-hp 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, like the turbo DCT, are on offer, the HTK+ and the GTX+, priced at Rs 10.39 lakh and Rs 12.89 lakh respectively, again all ex-showroom. In this segment, it’s only the Tata Nexon and the Mahindra XUV300 that have automated diesel powertrains on offer, from Rs 9.80 lakh and Rs 9.99 lakh respectively.

Regardless of whichever way you look at it, there are more than a few choices in the compact SUV segment for whatever powertrain tickles your fancy. The choices are nearly endless and these new additions make for an even wider spectrum of selection.

Need to Know

Tags: automatic suv, compact suv, hyundai venue, Kia Sonet, magnite, maruti brezza, maruti suzuki vitara brezza, Nissan Magnite, shootout, small SUV, sonet, toyota urban cruiser, urban cruiser, Venue