Automatic Transmissions in India — AMT, CVT, DCT Explained

What is an automatic transmission?

An automatic transmission does what a manual gearbox does — shifts gears — but without you pressing a clutch or moving a gear lever. In India, automatic cars used to be expensive luxuries. That changed around 2016 when Maruti Suzuki introduced affordable AMT technology in hatchbacks under ₹5 lakhs. Today, almost every car brand in India offers at least one automatic option.

The confusing part is that "automatic" now covers four completely different technologies. Each one works differently, feels different to drive, and suits different situations. This guide breaks all of them down so you can pick the right one for how you actually drive.

The four types of automatic transmissions

AMT — Automated Manual Transmission

AMT is essentially a regular manual gearbox with a computer and a small motor that presses the clutch and shifts the gear for you. It is the cheapest automatic option, which is why you see it in almost every budget car in India — Maruti Alto, S-Presso, Wagon R, Celerio, and so on.

The trade-off is smoothness. Older AMT units used to jerk noticeably, especially at low speeds. Newer versions (2023 onwards) are significantly better, but they still aren't as smooth as a CVT. Best suited for city driving where you do not need silky shifts.

CVT — Continuously Variable Transmission

CVT uses two cones and a belt instead of fixed gears. It constantly adjusts the ratio, which means zero gear shifts — just a smooth, continuous pull. This makes CVTs the best option for bumper-to-bumper city traffic in Indian cities.

The downside: on highways at higher speeds, a CVT can feel "floaty" and some drivers find the engine noise annoying. You mostly find CVTs in cars from Honda, Toyota, and some Hyundai models.

DCT — Dual Clutch Transmission

DCT is the performance option. It uses two clutch packs that alternate, which makes shifts nearly instant — often faster than a skilled manual driver. It feels sporty and responsive.

DCTs are less common in budget Indian cars. You'll find them in Volkswagen, Skoda, and some BMW or Audi models. They can be less smooth at very low crawling speeds compared to a CVT.

iMT — Intelligent Manual Transmission

iMT is the newest entrant. It looks like a manual — there's a gear lever — but there is no clutch pedal. The car senses when you're about to shift and automatically disengages the clutch for you. You still choose the gear manually.

Hyundai and Kia have pushed iMT hard in India. It gives you more control than a full automatic while removing the most tiring part of manual driving (the clutch). A good middle ground if you want some manual feel without the fatigue.

Which one should you pick?

If you drive mostly in the city and want the smoothest ride, go with CVT. If budget is your priority and you're okay with slightly less smooth shifts, AMT is the way. If you want a sporty feel and don't mind paying more, DCT is excellent. And if you want a hybrid of manual control and automatic convenience, iMT is worth considering.