Honda city vs Verna: A Comprehensive Comparison Battle of the automatics

Introduction:

The sedan segment has long been a battleground for automotive enthusiasts, and two stalwarts in this arena are the Honda city vs Verna. As consumers seek the perfect blend of style, performance, and features in their four-wheeled companions, the choice between these two models becomes pivotal. In this article, we’ll delve into the Honda City vs Hyundai Verna debate to help you make an informed decision on your next sedan purchase.

The Honda City and Hyundai Verna are the oldest, longest running nameplates in the midsize sedan segment, and incidentally, they are also the bestselling midsize sedans. Now in 2024, their rivalry gets fiercer as they battle for a larger slice of the sales pie in their new avatars. Honda has freshened the City’s outlook with a minor makeover and some new features, although it continues with a 1.5 petrol engine with a manual or automatic transmission, and a 1.5 hybrid powertrain.

Hyundai has introduced an all-new generation of the Verna, so expectedly, it is larger, better equipped and more modern than the car it replaces; and it is offered with a 1.5 petrol or a powerful 1.5 turbo-petrol engine, with manual and automatic transmissions. We pit the petrol-automatic iteration of the Verna against its oldest rival, the Honda City, to find out whether it has what it takes to dethrone the latter and rule the segment.

City vs Verna Price

Hyundai Verna vs Honda City: exterior

Like it or loathe it, the Verna’s radical styling is eye-catching, with its bold, ‘in-your-face’ LED lights at the front and rear. A sloping roofline with a fastback-like silhouette and sharp cuts on its body work certainly add a lot of character to its design. Having grown in size, it is now wider than the Honda City and has a longer wheelbase too.

The Honda City is longer overall and taller than the Verna, and its elegant design is likely to have a more universal appeal. Even though styling tweaks are minor, the facelift gets aggressively sculpted bumpers and a lip spoiler, lending a sportier touch.

Features and Technology:

In the realm of features and technology, both the Honda City and Hyundai Verna strive to stay ahead. From advanced safety features to cutting-edge infotainment systems, these sedans leave no stone unturned. The Honda City is known for its Honda Sensing suite, incorporating safety technologies like collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Verna boasts a feature-rich cabin with a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, and more. Assessing which features align with your priorities can be a deciding factor in this comparison.

The inside of the Verna has a modern feel thanks to its dual-screen setup—one for the instrument panel and another for the infotainment system. The ivory-colored seats look nice, and there are added touches like ambient lighting and a convenient touch-operated climate control console. This console can also act as a shortcut menu for the infotainment system, which is a handy feature.

The front seats are comfortable and come with ventilation and heating options. The driver’s seat can be adjusted partially electronically, adding to the convenience. In terms of space, the back seats are surprisingly roomy, comparable to the City in terms of headroom and width. Gone are the days when the Verna’s rear seats felt cramped; now they’re quite comfortable and supportive. The cabin is well-designed with plenty of storage compartments and charging ports. Additionally, the boot space is slightly larger with a wider opening compared to the Honda City. Overall, the Verna offers a comfortable and tech-savvy interior experience.

In comparison, the Honda’s cabin design appears rather mundane, particularly due to the dated 8-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Verna, there isn’t a screen for the instrument cluster, but a part-digital analogue-themed dials. This looks relatively old school, to be sure, but the execution is superb.

Hyundai Verna vs Honda City: engine, gearbox

These cars are powered by 1.5-litre petrol engines mated to continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). However, the difference between the way they perform is night and day. In this contest, the Verna’s engine feels quieter and more refined. It is a smooth powertrain, which rewards an easy-going driving style, however, it is quick to step out of its comfort zone when you demand more out of it.

On tap responses are unhurried, and as you prod the accelerator further. The transmission begins to show its ‘typical CVT’ character, where the vehicle speed and engine revs don’t feel in sync, making the engine sound boomy in the process. Like in the City, paddle shifters are available, which offer greater engine braking, particularly useful while going downhill. It also gets drive modes to sharpen the throttle responses as well as add weight to the steering (artificially) in Sport mode for a more spirited drive. However, going by the nature of this engine-transmission combination, it is best to dial down to Eco mode, lighten up the steering, and enjoy its laidback character.

The City boasts more power with its 121hp/145Nm engine, and it’s also lighter by 55kg compar to the Verna, tipping the scales at 1,153kg. This combination results in a noticeable performance advantage, especially because of the Honda engine’s eager and responsive nature. Even in standard mode, the acceleration feels strong and enjoyable, but the transmission also offers a Sport mode for those seeking sharper responsiveness. The engine’s high-revving nature adds to the thrill, although it becomes quite vocal as the revs climb, lacking the smoothness of the Verna.

In our tests, the City outpaces the Verna by over 2 seconds in the 0-100kph sprint. And this gap widens further at higher speeds. Similar results are observ in rolling accelerations from 20-80kph and 40-100kph.

In its latest version, the Hyundai Verna has made notable improvements in its driving dynamics compared to previous models. Driving enthusiasts no longer find its performance to be a deal-breaker. However, the Honda City provides a more enjoyable driving experience with its direct steering and well-tuned suspension. The City’s ride quality is also superior, offering better comfort and absorption of bumps compared to the Verna. Which, while acceptable on its own, feels slightly stiffer and busier in comparison.

City vs Verna Specifications

Engine & Performance

Size, Weight, & Dimensions

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Hyundai Verna vs Honda City: verdict

In its current avatar, the Hyundai Verna feels thoroughly modern and is more practical than ever before. Typical to a Hyundai, it is bundl with a laundry list of features. And even though the petrol-automatic’s ex-showroom prices of Rs 14.24 lakh-16.20 lakh. Makes it a bit pricier than the City (Rs 13.62 lakh-15.97 lakh), the Verna gets you better bang for your buck.

The Honda City, on the other hand, feels more mundane and business-like in its approach compared. To the extroverted Verna, and its equipment list isn’t as expansive either. But the City petrol-automatic is the bestseller in the range for a reason. Its engine performance is livelier, suspension is comfier and seats are plusher, so Honda has got its fundamentals spot on. And even though the new Hyundai Verna, with its well-roundedness comes very close. The Honda City still remains the better car to drive and be driven in.

Conclusion:

In the Honda City vs Hyundai Verna face-off, both sedans present compelling arguments for consideration. Your final choice will hinge on your preferences regarding design, interior features, driving dynamics, and ownership costs. Whether you prioritize the bold styling and refined performance of the Honda City or the fluid. Design and feature-packed interior of the Hyundai Verna. Make sure to take both for a test drive to truly understand which sedan resonates with your driving aspirations.