Transmission Buffet: Cars Under Rs 20 Lakh That Offer More Than Two Gearbox Choices

One SUV here offers up to 5 transmission options to choose from!

With the introduction of an iMT gearbox on the Venue, Hyundai has further extended the list of transmission options available on mass market cars in the country. While the majority of cars are generally available with two gearbox options to choose from (a manual and an automatic), the Venue is now available with four gearbox options two choose from. So, let's take a look at what these four gearbox options are and what other cars in the sub Rs 20 lakh bracket offer such a variety of gearbox options, starting with: 

1. Hyundai Venue: 

    Price: Rs 6.75 lakh to Rs 11.57 lakh.

    Gearbox Options: 4

    Engine Options: 3

As mentioned above, the Venue is available with four gearbox options to choose from which include a 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) and the new 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual). These transmissions are offered with the three engine options but in different configurations. Where the 7-speed DCT and the 6-speed iMT are exclusive to the 1.0-litre turbo petrol, the 5-speed MT is offered only with the 1.2-litre petrol. The 6-speed MT, on the other hand, is available with both the 1.5-litre diesel and the 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit.  

2. Kia Sonet:

    Price: Rs 7 lakh to Rs 13 lakh (expected)

    Gearbox Options:5

    Engine Options: 3

Although the Sonet is still a couple of weeks away from launch (September 18), we already have almost all the details of the upcoming SUV. As a result, we know the Sonet will be offered with five gearbox options including a 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT (6-speed torque converter), 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT. These five transmission options are mated to either of the three engines: 1.2-litre petrol (83PS/115Nm), 1.0-litre Turbo petrol (120PS/172Nm) and 1.5-litre diesel (100PS/240Nm). 

Where the 5-speed MT is available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine only, the 6-speed torque converter and the 6-speed MT are limited to the 1.5-litre diesel engine. As far as the 7-speed DCT and the new 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) is concerned, both the engines are exclusive to the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It is worth noting that the diesel engine paired with an automatic offers better power and torque on paper. 

3. Hyundai Verna:

    Price: Rs 9.3 lakh to Rs 15.10 lakh

    Gearbox Options: 4

    Engine Options: 3

Like the Venue, the Verna is also available with four gearbox options to choose from. Depending on the engine you choose, the sedan can be had with a 6-speed MT, a CVT, a 6-speed AT (torque converter) or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. The 6-speed MT is available with both 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines while the CVT and the 6-speed AT are limited to the petrol and diesel engines, respectively. The 7-speed DCT, on the other hand, is offered exclusively with the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. 

4. Kia Seltos:

    Price: Rs 9.29 lakh to Rs 17.29 lakh

    Gearbox Options: 4

    Engine Options: 3

Another Kia offering that offers an array of gearbox options to choose from is the Seltos. Same as the Verna, it is available with four gearbox options including a 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT (torque converter), CVT and a 7-speed DCT. These transmissions are offered in multiple configurations with the three engine options. Where the 6-speed MT is offered as standard with all three engines, the three automatic transmissions are available with one engine each. The CVT is paired to the 1.5-litre petrol engine while the 6-speed AT and the 7-speed DCT are offered with a 1.5-litre diesel and the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, respectively. 

5. Hyundai Creta: 

    Price: Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 17.20 lakh

    Gearbox Options: 4

    Engine Options: 3

Since the Creta shares its engines and transmissions with the Seltos,  the picture is no different except for one little change. In the Creta, the 1.4-litre turbo petrol is available with a 7-speed DCT only as the 6-speed MT is limited to the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. That said, the CVT and the 6-speed AT (torque converter) continue to be limited to the 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine, respectively. 

6. Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster 

    Price: Kicks: Rs 9.5 lakh to Rs 14.15 lakh / Duster: Rs 8.59 lakh to Rs 13.59 lakh

    Gearbox Options: 3

    Engine Options: 2

Both the SUVs are available with the same set of engines and transmission combos. Where the standard variants of the SUVs are available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to a 5-speed manual transmission, the turbo variants get a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine paired to either a 6-speed MT or a CVT. 

So, this was our compilation of the cars under Rs 20 lakh to offer more than two transmission options. Which of the above engine-transmission combos would you like to go for?  Tell us in the comments below. 

Read More on : Hyundai Venue on road price