Best DCT Cars in India 2023

DCA, DSG, DCT…are some acronyms you’d come across when hunting for a dual-clutch transmission car in India. But beyond the marketing speak, they’re essentially the same type of transmission comprising two independent clutches, one each for odd and even gears. In practice, this means that the next required gear is predicted (based on your driving) and pre-selected using the other clutch, leading to a minimal time gap between gearshifts. 

Today, DCT cars have evolved to the point where they match or even outclass their manual counterparts in terms of performance and feel while offering the convenience of automatics. This is why the popularity of DCT automatic cars in India has risen exponentially in the last decade with options available across different price points and segments. So, without further ado, let’s look at the best DCT cars in India under Rs. 20 lakh. 

Also Read – Best Cars Under 20 Lakhs

List of DCT Cars in India

Tata Altroz

Among DCT cars in India, the Tata Altroz DCA is the most affordable. Now, enthusiasts would lament that affordability comes at the cost of paddle shifters or drive modes. Heck, the car even misses out on the turbo petrol engine of the manual Altroz. However, these shortcomings mask the fact that the Altroz’s DCT uses a wet clutch instead of the dry clutch used by other DCT cars here. The latter is prone to wearing out faster in Indian environmental and driving conditions. The Altroz is also the first DCT car in the world to get planetary gears (used in TC automatics). Together, these factors promise a long life for the Altroz’s DCT, an important attribute considering the cost of repairing/replacing DCTs. 

Tata Altroz Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre (87 PS & 113 Nm)
• Transmission: 6-speed DCA
• Mileage: 18.5 kmpl
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Premium hatchback
• 5-star Global NCAP safety rating
• 7-inch Harman touchscreen infotainment system

Also Read – Best Petrol Cars In India

Hyundai i20

Hyundai’s premium hatchback offers a 7-speed DCT option with its top-end stock (Sportz, Asta) as well as N Line variants. The difference between the two is the incremental design and performance upgrades that the N Line gets over the stock variant, including stiffer dampers, a weightier steering wheel, and paddle shifters. However, the two variants are similar in terms of straight-line performance. If you’re looking for a premium hatchback with loads of features, brisk performance, and the convenience of an automatic, the Hyundai i20 is among the best DCT transmission cars in India.

Hyundai i20 Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.0-litre (120 PS & 172 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 20.2 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Premium hatchback
• Bose audio system
• 10.25-inch infotainment

Also Read – Sedan vs Hatchback

Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue offers a DCT transmission with its S(O), SX(O) trims and with the N Line variant. However, unlike with the i20, you get paddle shifters with the Venue’s stock trims too. But like with the i20 N Line, the Venue’s N Line variant features additional mechanical bits to improve its performance like disc brakes on all wheels, a weightier steering wheel, and a slightly stiffer suspension to keep body roll under control. The Venue’s 7-speed DCT unit is mated to a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 120 PS and 172 Nm. With an ARAI mileage of 18.1 kmpl, the Venue is one of the most fuel-efficient SUV DCT cars in India.

Hyundai Venue Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.0-litre (120 PS & 172 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.1 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• 8-inch infotainment
• 2-step rear reclining seats

Also Read – 5 Seater Cars

Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet offers a 7-speed DCT with its HTX, GTX, and X Line variants. This transmission is paired with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 120 PS and 172 Nm; the same unit that does duty on the Hyundai Venue. Given both cars’ similar dimensions and form factors, this engine-transmission setup should deliver similar performance. And as with the Venue, the Sonet in its DCT avatar offers paddle shifters, which should make for an engaging driving experience. 

Kia Sonet Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.0-litre (120 PS & 172 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.3 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• 10.25-inch infotainment
• Bose 7-speaker audio system

Also Read – Compact SUVs

Hyundai Creta

One of the bestselling DCT cars in India, the Hyundai Creta offers a 7-speed DCT with its S Plus and SX(O) trims, paired to a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that churns out 160 PS and 253 Nm. This engine-DCT combo propels the SUV from 0 to 100 kmph in less than 11 seconds while managing to extract an impressive 17 kmpl from a litre of petrol. The 7-speed DCT also gets paddle shifters and makes driving the Creta in traffic a breeze, helping it strike the sweet spot between performance, convenience, and practicality.

Hyundai Creta Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (160 PS & 253 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 17 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Midsize SUV
• 10.25-inch infotainment 
• Bose 8-speaker sound system

Also Read – SUV Cars In India

Kia Seltos

You can get the Kia Seltos with a 7-speed DCT in the GTX Plus and X Line trims. This gearbox is mated to the same turbo petrol engine that does duty on the Hyundai Creta. However, thanks to the slightly different tuning of the Seltos’s DCT unit, it manages to pip the Creta in terms of straight-line performance. On the flip side, the Creta offers slightly better fuel efficiency. Both SUVs are neck and neck in terms of features and pricing too, meaning the choice between the two would really come down to your personal preference after test-driving both cars.

Kia Seltos Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (160 PS & 253 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 16.5 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Midsize SUV
• 10.25-inch infotainment
• Bose 8-speaker sound system

Also Read – 6 Airbags Cars

Kia Carens

Fancy the performance and convenience of a DCT but also need a car for your family? The Kia Carens is just the car for you as it offers a 7-speed DCT mated to an E20 fuel-compliant 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 160 PS and 253 Nm. Yes, this is the same combination found in the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. But despite the additional weight and dimensions, this powertrain helps the Carens deliver similar mileage and performance as those two midsized SUVs, making it one of the best family-oriented DCT transmission cars in India.

Kia Carens Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (160 PS & 253 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 16.5 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: Up to 7
• Body Type: MPV
• 10.25-inch infotainment 
• Hill Hold and Hill Descent control

Also Read – 7 Seater Cars

Hyundai Verna

Easily the most radical-looking midsize sedan in India, the new Hyundai Verna takes no prisoners with its bold design, which also means you’ll either love it or hate it. But what will unite the lovers and haters is the new turbo petrol engine that produces 160 PS and 253 Nm and is mated to a 7-speed DCT. These segment-topping numbers make the Verna the fastest among midsize sedan DCT cars in India with a 0-100 kmph time of 8.1 seconds. In terms of safety, the Verna now gets 6 airbags as standard apart from ADAS, a first for Hyundai in India.

Hyundai Verna Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (160 PS & 253 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 20.6 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Midsize sedan
• 10.25-inch infotainment 
• Hyundai SmartSense ADAS

Also Read – Sedan Cars In India

Skoda Slavia

The Skoda Slavia offers a 7-speed DSG (which is Skoda-speak for DCT) only with its top-end Style trim. The transmission gets paddle shifters and is paired with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that pumps out 150 PS and 250 Nm. These figures help the Slavia get to 100 kmph from a standstill in less than 9 seconds, making it among the fastest DCT transmission cars in India. It also manages to return an impressive fuel economy of 18.4 kmpl. This frugality can be attributed to the Slavia engine’s active cylinder technology, whereby two of its four cylinders are shut down in low-load situations. 

Skoda Slavia Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (150 PS & 250 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.4 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Midsize sedan
• 8-inch infotainment
• Ventilated front seats

Volkswagen Virtus

The Volkswagen Virtus shares a lot with the Skoda Slavia – platform, powertrain, active cylinder technology, and even the fact that it offers the 7-speed DCT only with its top-end GT Plus trim. As a result, overall performance and mileage are quite similar to the Skoda offering. However, the Virtus boasts of slightly better dynamic ability than the Slavia. When you add its fresher looks to the mix, the Volkswagen Virtus is a strong contender among midsize sedan DCT cars in India.

Volkswagen Virtus Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (150 PS & 250 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.6 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Midsize sedan
• 10-inch infotainment
• Full digital instrument cluster

Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq gets a 7-speed DCT with its Style and Monte Carlo trims. This gearbox comes with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that is good enough for 150 PS and 250 Nm. Despite sharing its powertrain with the Skoda Slavia, the Kushaq is a tad slower and more fuel-thirsty owing to its SUV proportions. But on the bright side, you get a compact SUV that’s supremely stable at highway speeds and impresses with its sedan-like driving dynamics.

Skoda Kushaq Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (150 PS & 250 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 17.7 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• 5-star Global NCAP safety rating
• Multi-collision braking

Volkswagen Taigun

The Volkswagen Taigun offers a 7-speed DCT with its top-end GT Plus trim, powered by the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol that also does duty in the Skodas and the Virtus. This means there’s very little to choose between the Kushaq and the Taigun as they share the same MQB platform that recently earned a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP. In terms of performance, Volkswagen claims the DCT variant of the Taigun does the 0-100 kmph run in less than 9 seconds while returning fuel efficiency of 17.8 kmpl.

Volkswagen Taigun Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre (150 PS & 250 Nm)
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 17.8 kmpl
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• 5-star Global NCAP safety rating
• 10-inch infotainment system

Best DCT Cars in India Summary

That concludes our list of the best DCT cars in India that you can buy for less than Rs. 20 lakh. A DCT marries the best of both worlds with its manual car-like performance, fuel economy and the convenience of driving an automatic car. This means that if your driving comprises a mix of highway duties and city traffic, a DCT car makes a lot of sense. And as this list shows, you can get a DCT car in India across different segments and price points.

FAQs for DCT Cars in India