Best CVT Automatic Cars in India 2023

Why should you consider buying a CVT car, and what does ‘CVT’ mean? ‘CVT’ stands for Continuous Variable Transmission. If you’re looking at the best CVT cars in India, it’s probably because you’ve decided to buy an automatic to help you through the daily chaos that is our Indian traffic. 

Engines run at rpms depending on the gear used. Shifting of gears at the optimum rpms is done to maintain the engine at peak output and efficiency. The CVT car understands this and tries to maximise the potential of the engine.

So how did engineers come up with this concept? They looked at the most appealing qualities of the manual transmission such as the surge of acceleration on offer and figured out how to deliver that in CVT cars without compromise.

Essentially, they designed a system of belts and pulleys attached to the engine and the wheels. These worked in unison to consistently deliver power that is linear, effortless and controlled, allowing the vehicle in question to move like a hot knife through butter on busy roads.

There is no gearing on the CVT cars and the engine is maintained at the optimum rpms necessary to deliver the best possible driving experience whether you’re a novice or an expert. Since the engine is forced to work at its best, you will also find that CVT cars give you good fuel economy.

Also Read – DCT Cars In India

List of Best CVT Cars in India

Here’s a list of the best CVT cars in India arranged in ascending order of price, for your convenience:

Honda Amaze

The Honda Amaze scores first and foremost because it’s the only diesel CVT car, and also the sole car in its segment to offer a CVT, as opposed to its rivals who use AMTs. It’s one of the best CVT cars in India because the driving experience is a notch or two higher than cars from rival stables that are far more expensive.

The silky smooth motor mated to the brilliant CVT translates to a refined driving experience. This CVT car does a very impressive job of masking low end lag due to seemingly low torque and, therefore,  feels very powerful on the roads. The engine whine does become pronounced when you floor the throttle, and  the speed kicks in a bit later.

There is an S or Sports mode available should you wish to drive aggressively. It will hit a high speed on both the highway as well as the city road allowing fast overtakes without disappointing you in the least.

Also Read – 5 Seater Cars In India

Honda Amaze Specifications

• Mileage: 18.3 Kmpl(p), 21.0 Kmpl(d)
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol and diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

Honda Amaze Key Features

• Power Steering
• Turn indicators on ORVM and Push Ignition
• Automatic Headlamps

Nissan Magnite

The Nissan Magnite CVT has a gearbox that is butter smooth and very responsive especially in the low and mid range with next to no engine lag. A slight push on the throttle brings an immediate response leading to effortless driving in city traffic. Press down a bit harder in order to overtake, and you will find that power delivery is linear and efficient making it a breeze to use in your urban commute.

It’s an absolute delight to drive at low and medium speeds making it one of the best CVT cars in India. The fast driver will find he cannot drive the car very aggressively since the CVT is designed for effortless cruising rather than fast maneuvering.

Also Read – Best Petrol Cars In India

Nissan Magnite Specifications

• Engine: 1.0 Ltr HRAO Petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 17.7 Kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Nissan Magnite Key Features

• Anti-pinch power windows, and smart entry
• Cruise control
• Rear AC ducts

Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz CVT is best used for city commuting. The automatic gearbox is at its best in lower to medium speeds which makes it an easy vehicle to drive in crowded and chaotic traffic conditions. There is no head nod or jerk while driving around using it as a city runabout.

Remember that you should exert a gentle pressure on the accelerator instead of bearing down hard on it otherwise you may feel that the gearbox and the engine are not in sync.

This can be improved to a great extent by taking advantage of the sport mode on offer or using the paddle shifters to manually override the CVT. 

Honda Jazz Specifications

• Engine: 1.2 Ltr i-VTEC
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 17.1 Kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback

Also Read – Hatchback vs Sedan

Honda Jazz Key Features

• Cruise control
• Rear wash wiper and defogger
• Power steering and alloy wheels

Renault Kiger

The Renault Kiger CVT boasts of a gearbox that delivers power that is smooth, linear and consistent. An Eco mode where the instrument cluster glows green, normal mode where the colour turns blue and Sport mode where the colour is red. The Eco is rather subdued as can be expected but if you shift to normal mode the difference in power is immediately markable making it perhaps the default mode you will choose while driving the Renault Kiger CVT. If you drive in Sport mode, it’s rather aggressive making you ease off the metal.

The CVT is so smooth and refined that it even irons out the turbo lag from the engine. If you can be relatively measured with your throttle inputs, you will realise the joy to be had from the surprisingly peppy engine performance.

There is also a low mode which delivers immediate torque which is of great help going up those steep and twisty hill roads but it does come with a pronounced engine whine. It is without doubt one of the best CVT cars in India on the roads today.

Renault Kiger Specifications

• Engine: 1.0 Ltr turbo petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 18.2 Kmpl
• Airbags: 4
• Fuel Type: petrol
• Seating Capacity:5
• Body Type: SUV
•  

Also Read – SUV Cars In India

Renault Kiger Key Features

• Ambient lighting
• Keyless entry/push button start
• Reversing camera/front parking sensors

Hyundai Verna

The Hyundai Verna CVT is quieter and more assured than its previous iteration. It is effortless in city traffic conditions. The power delivery and the sound produced complement each other. Step on the pedal and the car responds immediately with a butter smooth effect that is a delight. It has a good amount of pep for city drives with not even a hint of a lag. 

On the highway, it is a joy cruising effortlessly. You do feel that it could have done with a bit more power especially since you will have to plan your overtakes on, say, a two lane highway. When you do find yourself in such a spot, the CVT is a bit slow off the blocks and you feel the engine lacks a bit of punch on the higher end of the powerband. It is on this list of the best CVT cars in India because of the refined and comfortable driving experience it offers.

Hyundai Verna Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr MPi Petrol
• Transmission:CVT
• Mileage: 18.4 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

Also Read – Cars With 6 Airbags

Hyundai Verna Key Features

• Sunroof
• Tailgate ajar
• Cruise Control, and automatic headlamps

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta CVT comes with three modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport. As can be expected there is a slow build up in the Eco mode gear shifting, while in Comfort mode the pick up and acceleration are more responsive. The sport mode allows you to drive the vehicle aggressively with a noticeable surge of power at 2000 rpm and beyond.

The paddle shifters available allows you to manually override contributing to the sporty and fun quotient of this vehicle. The gearbox response is quick and creamy smooth with the glide factor more pronounced on the highways than the City. It does tend to get a little vocal when you push it but then that is only to be expected. Treat it gently with a light foot and you won’t feel a thing. The Creta is one of the most popular among the best CVT cars in India.

Hyundai Creta Specifications

Also Read – Paddle Shifter Cars

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr MPi Petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 17 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Hyundai Creta Key Features

• Electronic parking brake, and follow-me home Headlamps
• Panoramic sunroof
• Front seat ventilation

Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos CVT is a joy to drive in traffic as it responds instantly at low speeds allowing you to close those gaps or make a fast overtake. It does have a manual mode to be used to choose predefined ratios but it doesn’t allow aggressive downshifting thereby being unable to maximise engine braking. The manual mode allows you to hold each ratio slightly longer than the “D” mode, before upshifting or downshifting.

There’s more than enough power on tap to keep you cruising effortlessly on the highways. This is one of the best CVT cars in India today because of the way it handles both city and highway roads.

Kia Seltos Specifications

• Engine: 1.5L Advanced smartstream petrol
• Transmission: IVT
• Mileage: 16.8 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Kia Seltos Key Features

• 360 degree camera
• Heads up display
• Front seat ventilation

MG Astor

The CVT on the MG Astor has been developed with the help of Bosch, and its reliability can be depended upon, making it one of the best CVT cars in India on the market today. MG offers a warranty of three years extendable to five on the gearbox.

The car moves very well but needs a little time for the momentum to take hold. The actual acceleration and refinement levels are very good, and the engine noise only comes through if you’re really revving it. The engine gearbox combo is tuned well for traffic conditions. This CVT car is not for the racing enthusiast but it is rather for the calm and collected individual who will drive with a light foot.

MG Astor Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr VTi Petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 10-12 Kmpl 
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

MG Astor Key Features

• ADAS level 2
• 360 degree camera
• AI assistant on dashtop

Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks CVT is a seven step one which makes a rather good partnership with the engine. This is an intuitive transmission which keeps the engine spinning optimally to ensure that you always have enough power on hand when you need it. The CVT duties are performed very well though it does tend to get a bit jerky when you need the car to move at a crawl during transition to its lowest step.

There’s a tiptronic mode which will serve you best when you are in the mood for a bit of manual control or if you have to drive uphill or downhill. What’s particularly well thought out is that this mode offers aggressive downshifts thus enabling you to have strong engine braking as well. It’s one of the best CVT cars in India today due to its refined ride qualities.

Nissan Kicks Specifications

• Engine: 1.3 Ltr turbo Petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 15.8 Kmpl
• Airbags: 4
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Nissan Kicks Key Features

• ESP and traction control system
• Anti pinch power windows and cruise control
• Hill assist and brake assist

Honda City

The Honda City is one of the best CVT cars in India. It has a great throttle response and the shifts are smooth. The rise in revs match the rise in engine speed so that in typical everyday driving you will be hard pressed to remember you’re behind the wheel of an automatic. But if you’re going to go pedal to the metal then there will be the typical stretchy feel with the revs outpacing the engine.

The City’s best feature is the rev-happy i-VTEC engine that is a joy to drive with a manual transmission. However, with a CVT, the excitement of the gear shift on an i-VTEC would be lost. Honda’s engineers worked around this by introducing “steps”. These steps simulate the sensation of gear shifts instead of simply sliding its way up. With this, the smoothness of the CVT is retained while the excitement of the shift is built into the transmission.

Honda City Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr i-VTEC petrol
• Transmission:CVT
• Mileage: 18.4 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Sedan

Honda City Key Features

• Anti pinch power windows and Tailgate Ajar
• Traction Control and ESP
• Follow me home headlamps

Toyota Hyryder

The Toyota Hyryder eCVT  determines which is the ideal driving mode for you at any given time – EV, hybrid or petrol. The eCVT also has a “B’ mode which increases the regenerative system using the kinetic energy from braking to recharge the battery.

The Toyota Hyryder CVT also offers three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Power. Driving in Urban commute will feel smooth and refined. The Hyryder CVT will not give you a turbo petrol like surge of power, and is not meant to be driven  aggressively. The Toyota Hyryder builds up an unhurried head of steam but more than holds its own while on urban commutes. It’s one of the best CVT cars in India because of its frugal fuel efficiency and effortless ride handling.

Toyota Hyryder Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr Petrol
• Transmission: eCVT
• Mileage: 27.97 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Hybrid ( petrol)
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Toyota Hyryder Key Features

• Sun roof and ventilated seats 
• 360 degree camera
• Heads up display

MG Hector

The MG Hector CVT feels smooth and refined mated to the turbo engine even though it does not overcome the turbo lag. It is responsive and moves easily through traffic flow. There is a noticeable delay when you lose momentum before it builds up again.

The new transmission has eight predefined shifts that simulates manual shifts and three drive modes – the Eco, the Standard and the Comfort. There is no noticeable difference between the modes when you punch the throttle, and it is only when you partly push the accelerator do you begin to notice the difference.

This is for the sedate driver on his urban commute who will be well rewarded with smooth step free performance as the CVT gearbox does keep the engine spinning optimally making this one of the best CVT cars in India.

In fast moving traffic, overtaking needs some planning since there is no appreciable surge in power when you look for it.There are no paddle shifters on offer.

MG Hector Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr Turbo Petrol
• Transmission: CVT
• Mileage: 13.9 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

MG Hector Key Features

• Sunroof
• Ventilated seats
• 360 degree camera

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Grand Vitara CVT comes with what Suzuki refers to as an eCVT. It basically determines the best ride mode for you switching between EV, petrol and Hybrid. For example, it starts up in the electric mode with the petrol mode being called upon only when you need extra power. Suzuki claims that upto 60 percent of the city driving conditions could be met using the EV mode. The eCVT also has a “B’ mode which increases the regenerative system using the kinetic energy from braking to recharge the battery.

The Grand Vitara CVT  is engaging to drive with the urban ride being smooth and easy. It’s not meant to be a race demon but the sheer quality of the ride is awesome. The start and initial acceleration is silent due to the electric motor with the petrol engine coming into play only if you require more power for overtaking. On the highway, the eCVT allows a sort of time interval before you get the full thrust. There’s a lot of sound from the engine but if you drive it gently, the powerband shines and the car glides over the roads.

Grand Vitara Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 Ltr Petrol 
• Transmission: eCVT
• Mileage: 27.97 Kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Hybrid ( petrol)
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Grand Vitara Key Features

• Panoramic sunroof
• Popup heads up display
• 360 degree camera
• Ventilated front seats

Best CVT Cars in India – Summary

The list above offers you a look at the best CVT cars in India and are definitely worth a look for their fuel efficiency and performance. There is a difference in the driving style of a CVT and a manual which will not take you long to master but will reward you with a stress free and rewarding driving experience, not to mention going easier on your wallet.

FAQs about Best CVT Cars in India

How is CVT better than other automatic cars?

The CVT cars deliver the best riding experience along with the most optimal fuel efficiency on a budget.

What are the demerits of a CVT car?

The rubberband effect when you bear down hard on the accelerator along with the droning sound the engine makes in order to keep it revving at the optimum could be considered demerits of CVT cars.

Which is the safest CVT car in India?

The Honda Jazz with a four star GNCAP rating is the safest CVT car in India.

Which is the most affordable CVT car in India?

If you’re interested in a sedan, the answer would be the Honda Amaze while it is the Nissan Magnite if you want an SUV. The Jazz can be considered in the hatchback segment among the best CVT cars in India.

Which is the most fuel efficient CVT car in India?

The Honda Jazz in the hatchback segment, the Honda Amaze in the sedan category and the Suzuki Grand Vitara along with the Toyota Hyryder in the SUV class are the most fuel efficient CVT cars