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Vijay Kant Bera

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Hyundai Exter or Tata Punch, which is better in the automatic version?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

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While both are capable, it's the Hyundai Exter that offers a better driving experience with the AMT automatic gearbox. What’s unique is that, unlike conventional AMTs, Hyundai has deployed electrical actuators to perform gear shift duties rather than hydraulic actuators, and as a result, shifts are relatively seamless in the Exter.
In comparison, the Tata Punch's transmission is more tuned for efficiency, so upshifts are early and downshifts are conservative too. Even the pause between gearshifts is more pronounced in the Tata. For a detailed verdict, check out our Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch comparison.
Hyundai Exter

Hyundai Exter

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Latest questions people are discussing

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RATHI MRINALINI

2d

I'm a new driver on the road. Been driving a Celerio (second-hand) for the last 2 years in Bangalore. Looking for an automatic petrol car within a budget of ₹9.5 lakh. My priority is safety and ease of adapting to the new car. I am thinking of a Punch. Looking for your suggestion.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Yes, the Tata Punch Adventure AMT is an excellent option, given your requirements. It's tall with a high seating position, which gives you a commanding view out - great for a new driver, yet it's compact enough not to be intimidating around town. It will also feel like a good upgrade from your old Celerio.Since safety is also a consideration for you, the Punch has been given a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and gets 6 airbags as standard, plus a good amount of standard safety equipment. If there's a potential drawback, it's that the Punch's 1.2 petrol engine and AMT gearbox aren't the smoothest combination, and as a new driver, the jerkiness at low speeds is something you will have to learn to drive around.Also consider the Hyundai Exter SX Smart AMT and the Nissan Magnite Kuro AMT as well, as both have smoother powertrains than the Punch.

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VP

VISHNUDAS P

5d

I want to buy an automatic car mainly for city use with a budget of around ₹10 lakh. I shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, but I have heard rumours that its production might be stopped. Is there any update on this, and what are some good alternatives to the Ignis?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is still in production. It is worth noting that the Ignis is a bit long in the tooth now, and sales are very low, especially so by Maruti standards. Thus, there could be a possibility of it being discontinued or updated. In any case, being a Maruti model that has been on sale for a while now, you would still be able to get it serviced for a fairly long period of time.If you are, however, worried about this, you could consider the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch, which are two cars that will offer similar benefits of being compact, high-riding and available with an automatic transmission.

VehicleHyundai Exter
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Posted on: 4 Nov 2025