The automatic race in the budget segment is in full swing and the latest player to jump into this fray is Hyundai. The company has said it will enter this competition with a compact ‘family oriented’ model that will be powered by AMT (automated manual transmission) technology.
We believe that this model will slot in between the Eon and the Grand i10 to take on the likes of the Tata Tiago, Maruti Suzuki Celerio as well as the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. This, then, will be an entry-level B-segment model and may just be called the Santro as this brand name still commands high value among Indian car buyers.
The South Korean automaker’s lowest priced automatic model is currently a Magna variant of the Hyundai Grand i10 which costs Rs 5.94 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). Its closest rival has automatic models one segment down and at prices that are almost a lakh rupees below this variant of the Grand i10. Hyundai does have the Eon in this part of the market and it can be had with an 800cc or 1.0-litre engine but only with a five-speed manual.
![Hyundai Verna [2020-2023]](https://imgd-ct.aeplcdn.com/160x89/n/cw/ec/41197/hyundai-verna-right-front-three-quarter7.jpeg?q=80 "Hyundai Verna [2020-2023]")
