[Ripcord09]

Nissan Magnite

What you'll like:

• The Magnite looks really good…that handsome face is a head-turner
• Sheer value-for-money pricing.
• Healthy legroom for rear passengers. Space packaging is brilliant
• Impressive kit (cruise control, LED headlamps, rear air-con vents, 360-degree camera, wireless charger, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay)
• 205 mm of ground clearance is more than enough for any kind of bad roads
• Safety kit includes ESP, TPMS, ABS, EBD & hill start assist
• Base variant also gets reasonable kit, including a rear wiper. It’s not poverty-spec

What you won't:

• Stiff & basic ride quality. You feel each and everything on the road
• The Magnite is built to a cost and it does show, especially in the budget-grade cabin
• 1.0L naturally-aspirated petrol is a boring, unimpressive engine. AMT isn't very smooth either
• No diesel option available on the Nissan Magnite
• Cabin is narrower than some competitors. Narrow width makes it best for 4 adults
• Missing features such as an auto dimming IRVM, full-size spare tyre…
• Doesn't have the finesse or quality of premium crossovers like the XUV300, Sonet etc.
• Nissan's tiny dealership network & lousy after-sales quality

AMT Review Link

First Review Link

Hyundai Exter

What you'll like:

• Well-positioned overall package. Priced competitively against rivals
• Unique looks with the H-shaped LED DRLs & tail-lamps and crossover styling
• Super-refined 4-cylinder engine offers good driveability and satisfactory fuel efficiency. AMT and CNG versions are available too
• Hyundai AMTs have superior tuning as compared to the AMTs of Maruti, Tata etc.
• Well-tuned suspension absorbs bumps well and delivers acceptable high-speed stability
• Precise build & quality (including interiors) are among the segment best
• Excellent ergonomics with light and well-placed controls
• Spacious interiors with very good legroom and headroom for a car in this segment
• Accommodating 391-litre boot is among the largest in the segment
• Loaded with features such as a sunroof, keyless entry & go, dashcam with dual camera, auto headlamps, cruise control, paddle shifters, connected car features (BlueLink), wireless charger, rear A/C vents, multi-lingual voice commands, etc
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all 5 occupants, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ABS, EBD, ESC, VSM, hill-hold assist, rear parking sensors and camera, TPMS, emergency stop signal, SOS call and more
• Hyundai's wide service network & up to 7-years extended warranty

What you won't:

• Edgy looks & funky styling may not be to everyone's liking. Cuts and creases are overdone
• Despite the unique styling, it’s not really a head-turner. Small size robs the Exter of road presence
• 1.2L NA petrol’s highway performance is adequate, but not exciting
• No turbo-petrol or diesel engine on offer
• Not as engaging to drive as the Citroen C3 Turbo. Handling, steering and thin tyres won’t appeal to enthusiasts
• Light-coloured interior theme isn’t available. Black interiors may not be to everyone's liking. Hyundai should’ve offered a beige option
• Back seat is more suitable for 2 healthy adults and a child. Not 3 healthy adults
• Rear seat is placed on the lower side, and its under-thigh support is average (taller folk will find it to be less)
• Average sound system is no match for some of the rivals (e.g. Punch & Fronx have better ICE)
• Some missing features like foglamps, rear centre armrest, auto-dimming IRVM, 60:40 split rear seat, 6-speaker sound system (Exter has just 4), full-sized spare tyre, etc.

Review Link

Renault Kiger

Launch Discussion Link

Tata Punch

What you'll like:

• Snazzy styling! We love the mini-Harrier face and tight rear end
• Well-designed & practical cabin with enough space for 4 adults
• 366-liter boot is accommodating
• 1.2L NA petrol offers good driveability in the city. Performance is acceptable <90 kmph
• Sorted road manners & reassuring high speed stability
• Enjoyable Harman 6-speaker ICE. One of the better systems in this segment
• Features such as auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control, Traction Pro (AMT), cooled glovebox…with factory customization packs too
• A full 5-stars in the GNCAP! Safety package includes dual airbags, CSC, brake sway control, ISOFIX etc.

What you won't:

• 1.2L NA petrol’s highway performance is weak. At 100 kmph & up, more noise than action
• Suspension has a firm tune (R16 variants). It is compliant & liveable, but you do feel bad roads
• Jerky and slow AMT gearbox when competitors offer you smoother CVTs and torque converters
• 3-cylinder petrol cannot match the competition’s 4-cylinders in refinement & NVH
• No turbo petrol or diesel option. Period. Rivals & other Tata cars offer both
• Cabin width makes 4 adults welcome, not 5
• Some missing goodies such as an auto-dimming IRVM, splitting rear seat, rear AC vents, full-size spare…
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

Review Link

Mahindra XUV300

AMT Ownership Review Link

First Review Link

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

What you'll like:

• Smart looking crossover with sharp & attractive styling
• Feels better built than some other Maruti cars
• The 1.2L NA offers excellent fuel efficiency. ARAI = 21.79 (MT) km/l to 22.89 km/l (AMT)
• Nicely tuned suspension glides over small bumps, potholes and road imperfections
• User-friendly cabin with loads of space! Can easily seat 5 adults (unlike many competitors)
• Long feature list includes LED auto headlamps, LED DRLs, cruise control, 9-inch touchscreen HU paired with an Arkamys sound system, 360-degree camera, head-up display, rear A/C vents, wireless charging, footwell lighting, tilt & telescopic steering adjustment, connected car features etc
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all, ESP, traction control, hill-hold assist and ISOFIX
• Maruti’s excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experiences

What you won't:

• On the inside, it’s almost identical to the regular Baleno. Differentiation should’ve been more
• Quality of some plastic parts and fabric upholstery is mediocre
• 308-litre boot is among the smallest in the segment
• No diesel option like some rivals
• Rear seat’s under-thigh support is lacking for taller passengers
• A few missing features like sunroof, TPMS, rear armrest, drive modes, auto wipers and front parking sensors
• Lesser height means, despite the smart styling, it doesn’t have the road presence of typical crossovers

Review Link

Tata Nexon

AMT Ownership Review Link

Facelift Review Link

First Review Link

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[aniketi]

Just 6 months back I was in same dilemma and bought Maruti Ignis Zeta AMT after considering many cars.

I10 Nios I rejected as it was low on seating and I personally don't like it's curvy looks. Overdesigned for me. Also it's costly car and has low mileage. Interior is good in this car.

Tata Tiago was next. I personally don't believe in Tata's long term reliability of petrol cars. Also their service is hit or miss. It's a 3 pot motor which I don't like. Interior was ok but digital speedometer was too boring and dull. Car looks hot though. Easily one of the good looking car.

Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger I didn't consider as future for both companies is not promising at all. Both has service as well as resale value issues.

Punch is good car but I found it to be costly for what it offers. Again reliability issues are there in long term.

When it comes to Ignis, it is one of the most underrated car in India. It does many things right at a very good cost. It has got very good list of features for the price and looks are sporty. Also it offers amazing space inside being smallest car. It's the most fuel efficient car here and I am getting very good mileage on it. I am really happy with my purchase and enjoying car.

People who wants to buy small car, do check Ignis first. You will be surprised to see what it offers at such low price.

[Small Bot]

Voted for the Nexon. Yes, Hyundai has one of the nicest AMTs out there (oxymoron?). That said, my personal opinion is that Exter looks ugly from the rear, whereas Nexon looks snappy from all directions.

[busydrive]

Tata AMT(s) are jerky. Fronx AMT is overpriced for what it offers. I was seriously considering between Magnite and Exter and have finally gone for Exter. Planning to book this soon. Voted accordingly.
Main reason why I dropped Magnite was the cost cutting was very evident everywhere and Nisan service in Bangalore is not good.

[uditanshh]

Originally Posted by Ripcord09

Nissan Magnite
What you'll like:

• The Magnite looks really good…that handsome face is a head-turner
• Sheer value-for-money pricing.
• Safety kit includes ESP, TPMS, ABS, EBD & hill start assist
• Base variant also gets reasonable kit, including a rear wiper. It’s not poverty-spec

Unpopular opinion, but the Magnite in its base spec XE AMT variant looks VFM to me. Especially as someone who is looking for a safe beater car at home.
Used car prices are skyrocketing and if I have to spend 7-8L for a beater automatic then why not get a safe and spacious car that looks good too?? Cost cutting isn't a problem if the car is just gonna be used for market runs and dropping children to school.
Anyway Magnite XE AMT costs 7.4L on road in my city(before any discounts or negotiations) and at that price the only other option worth considering is WagonR VXI AMT which isn't safe and then spend upto 8-8.5L for the jerky Tiago XTA.

[himanshu_trikha]

The only things which stops me buying Magnite XE AMT as my beater is the future of Nissan/Renault in Indian market with limited models on offer.Otherwise, the base variant looks amazing VFM with a list of ‘must’ features.

Reminds me that Ford Ecosport was a great car under a badly managed Brand in India.

[Joe367]

Voted for the Exter just because of the option of paddle shifters. I don't know if they are quick, would like to hear from Exter owners. I haven't come across anyone giving paddle shifters with AMT in the segment.