Due to the huge traffic snarls and increasing vehicles on the road, people are preferring to go for automatic cars. Now, you have four automatic transmission options available, including an AMT, a DCT (dual clutch auto), a torque converter, and a CVT.
What most driving enthusiasts prefer is the DCT gearbox, which is now found in many mass-market affordable cars. This technology was first made mainstream by Volkswagen back in the day and was made popular. So, here’s the list of the most affordable cars that can be opted with the dual clutch automatic transmission.
1. Tata Altroz
| Engine | 1.2-litre petrol |
| Power/Torque | 86PS/113Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DCT |
| Variant onwards | XMA Plus |
| DCT variant price range | Around Rs 8 lakh onwards |
The Tata Altroz is the latest and the most affordable DCT car on sale today. Unlike its rivals, the Altroz gets a wet clutch ‘box, which is much more reliable for Indian conditions. It also features segment-first shift-by-wire technology and auto park-lock features. It’s also the first DCT in the world to use planetary gears, a tech found in torque converter automatics. That said, this transmission is paired with the Altroz’s 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine rather than the turbo-petrol just yet. It gets a 5-speed manual transmission as standard.
2. Hyundai i20
Hyundai offers the 7-speed DCT gearbox from the i20’s second-to-top Sportz Turbo variant. Its turbo-petrol engine is also offered with a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual). You can even opt for range topping the i20 N Line, which offers the DCT option with more sportier looks.
The N Line gets a stiffer suspension setup, throaty exhaust and a heavier steering for better driving capabilities. The i20 Turbo and N Line share the same 120PS turbo-petrolengine. The hatchback is also offered with 83PS 1.2-litre petrol (5-speed MT/CVT) and 100PS 1.5-litre diesel (6-speed MT) engines.
3. Hyundai Venue
| Engine | 1-litre turbo-petrol |
| Power/Torque | 120PS/172Nm |
| Gearbox | 7-speed DCT |
| Variant | SX (O) (second-to-top-spec only) |
| DCT variant price range | Around Rs 12 lakh |
The Venue’s second-to-top SX Plus variant only gets the DCT gearbox option, and it’s the only variant in the SUV with an automatic option. The DCT variant is exclusively equipped with paddle shifters so you can have fun on your favourite road. The SX Plus variant can also be had with a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) and 6-speed manual. Other powertrains of the Venue include 83PS 1.2-litre petrol (5-speed MT) and 100PS 1.5-litre diesel (6-speed MT) engines.
4. Kia Sonet
| Engine | 1-litre turbo-petrol |
| Power/Torque | 120PS/172Nm |
| Gearbox | 7-speed DCT |
| Variant onwards | HTX |
| DCT variant price range | From around Rs 11 lakh |
The Kia Sonet’s mid-spec HTX and top-spec GTX Plus variants are offered with the 7-speed DCT and paddle shifters. This powertrain setup is carried forward from the i20 and Venue. While the Venue’s offered with a turbo-manual combination, the Sonet gets only the DCT and iMT gearbox only. Kia also offers 83PS 1.2-litre petrol (5-speed MT) and 100PS (6-speed MT) / 115PS (6-speed AT) diesel engines with the Sonet.
5. Kia Carens
| Engine | 1.4-litre turbo-petrol |
| Power/Torque | 140PS/242Nm |
| Gearbox | 7-speed DCT |
| Variant onwards | Prestige Plus |
| DCT variant price range | Around Rs 15 lakh onwards |
Kia Carens is the only MPV that’s offered with a 7-speed DCT. It gets the Seltos’ and Creta’s 140PS 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine, that’s also offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. The DCT variants are offered with six (only in the top-spec Luxury Plus variant) and seven seater configurations, which make it one of the most practical purchases in this list. Other engine options include 115PS 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and a 6-speed automatic for the diesel.
