New Honda City VS Hyundai Verna and VW Vento

The much awaited and speculated all new Honda City is finally available in the official Honda showrooms across India. The fourth generation model of the City comes with a starting price of Rs. 7.42 lakhs for the base petrol variant, while its base diesel model trim is priced at Rs. 8.62 lakhs.

Now, that the all new City is all out in the market along with its prices, let us check how well is it braced against its market rivals in terms of features and pricing, considering its major rivals in India are the segment leader Hyundai Verna and the Volkswagen Vento. India is definitely a price conscious market, and the segment leader Hyundai Verna is offered with a lot of engine choices (4) that are mated to a manual or an automatic gearbox. The Verna’s base petrol model starts from Rs. 7.40 lakh, while the base diesel model starts from Rs 8.62 lakhs.

On the other hand, the Volkswagen Vento’s petrol variant’s starting range is Rs. 7.34 lakhs, while base diesel model is tagged at Rs. 8.49 lakhs. Thus, it is clear that the Honda City has been priced very competitively, as all three cars are priced very closely. Hence it is the features that have to be considered.

Honda has endowed the all new City with a whole range of features clearly pointing that it has been pitched primarily against the Verna. The new City features ABS with EBD as standard, electronically adjustable OVRMs, driver’s side airbag and tilt adjustable power steering. The higher S and SV variants also get integrated audio system with 3.5 inch screen, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth and height-adjustable driver’s seat. The top-end variants V and VX get turn indicators on the OVRMs, five-inch screen, reverse camera, cruise control and 15 inch alloy wheels, while VX variant flaunts a sunroof that the Verna or Vento don’t offer.

The Hyundai Verna offers the same ABS and EBD safety features as standard and so are the electrical adjustable OVRMs along with turn indicators. The higher variants of EX, SX and SX (O) also get Bluetooth, reverse camera with rear parking sensors, steering wheel mounted audio controls and height adjustable seatbelts at front. The top-end SX (O) petrol and diesel model boast of projector automatic headlights and premium leather upholstery.

The Volkswagen Vento is not a real match for the City and the Verna on the safety front, and gets only ABS only in the top-end variant Highline. All of Vento’s three trims get rear AC vents, height adjusting driver’s seat, rear parking sensors and tilt adjusting telescopic steering wheel. The top-end Highline flaunts 15 inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, multi-function steering and leather wrapped seats, handbrake and gear knob.

While the City and Verna are equally impressive, top-end Honda City VX is a little better than the top-end Hyundai Verna SX (O) variant with cruise control and sunroof.

Thus, the Honda City is sure to snatch Verna and Vento’s market share.