We have a simple question but the answer is not that easy as both the Hyundai Verna and Honda City are as good as they get when it comes to midsize sedans in the Indian automobile market. Both are very old rivals but never have they been stronger. The sedan segment was languishing under slow sales thanks to the demand for SUVs however these two have brought some life back into this space.


In many ways these two offer you more in terms of driving experience plus comfort over SUVs but which one should you put your hard earned money on? Read on.

Looks

It might seem that the new Honda City looks marginally bigger here and that is true. The new City has grown and now looks more like a mini Civic. The Verna looks more compact but it looks more aggressive especially in Turbo spec as seen here. The new City is longer and wider while details like those stunning LED headlamps makes it look cooler. The Verna has the cooler set of rear tail-lamps though and the aggressive design of the front as well as rear bumper is aimed at the younger crowd. Thus in terms of looks the City is more of a grown up and graceful sedan while the Verna is the sportier along with being the one for Gen Y.



Interiors, space and features

The difference in personalities are also carried over to the inside. The Verna gets an all black cabin in this Turbo avatar while the City gets a sober dual tone beige and black. Both cabins are premium and have really good quality too though we like the quality of the knobs/switches more in the City plus the dash gives a more luxury vibe- especially the lower-part of the dash! The thought process gets shown further in the dials of both cars. The City dials are simpler and while one dial is a digital one, the lay-out is crisp but simple. The Verna gets snazzier graphics which the tech obsessed will like.



In terms of tech, the Verna edges ahead with the slicker and more responsive touch-screen over the City plus the better rear camera display. In terms of features both are very well equipped though with sun-roof, touch-screen, rear ac vents, rear camera and the works. The City gets an Alexa remote and a cool lane-watch feature while the Verna gets some crucial features like wireless charging and ventilated seats. In terms of space while both have the same wheel-base the City has the airier cabin plus the rear seat is better in-case of you are chauffeur driven with more legroom along with better shoulder-room. The Verna has the comfier front seats though. Both have big enough boots (City has slightly bigger) and enough storage places.



Driving

Let's get to driving and here in typical Hyundai fashion you get the most choice when it comes to engines. You have a 1.5l petrol and a turbo petrol while there is also a 1.5l diesel. The City is available with two 1.5l petrol and diesel. The Verna also offers the most choice when it comes to automatic gearbox options with a CVT with the 1.5l petrol, DCT with the turbo petrol and a torque converter auto with the diesel. The Honda City has a CVT option with the petrol while the diesel is manual only. We have driven all of the versions of the Honda City and Hyundai Verna so we are in a good position to say which is the better performer.



In the comparison of the petrols, the Verna turbo makes 120 bhp and 172Nm while the City makes 121 bhp and 145Nm. The Verna 1.5l petrol makes 115 bhp and 144Nm. We straight off say that the Verna gives you the thrill more and it is one if you like performance. The turbo petrol with more torque gives you an instant rush plus the crucial factor is the 7-speed DCT that is more responsive plus the presence of paddle-shifters makes it more fun. We found out the petrol Verna is a bit more refined too.

The City CVT has paddle shifters and we would say the CVT of the City is quite smooth but a DCT just offers that edge. The City does not give you rush as instead you have to work the 1.5l for the horses but the engine as Honda petrols always are, is fun to push hard. That said the City is more grown up and rolls more while the Verna is quicker and is harder edged with tighter handling plus steering.

 New Hyundai Verna vs Honda City

In terms of diesel cars, the Verna 1.5l has the quieter engine plus there is an automatic. The City diesel is now much more refined but it is still a bit noisy. In terms of mileage we found the City to be slightly more economical while the Verna offers better sound insulation though.

Verdict

Prices of the new Honda City starts at Rs 10.9 lakh for the base petrol manual and go up-to Rs 14.4 lakh for the top-end CVT petrol. The diesel City starts at Rs 12.3 lakh and goes till Rs 14.64 lakh. The Verna range starts at Rs 9.3 lakh for the base petrol and goes till Rs 14 lakh for the turbo DCT you see here. The diesel starts from Rs 10.6 lakh and goes till Rs 15.11 lakh for the top-end diesel auto.

 Honda City and Hyundai Verna

In the end both cars appeal to different sets of customers though we will draw the following conclusions. The Honda City looks and feels a touch bigger while it has more space plus comfort while it rides better too,- being the option if you want to be chauffeur driven. Meanwhile the Verna is sportier plus is much quicker and more fun to drive with more features to play with too. It is also cheaper which means more value while it also gives you more choice in terms of engines or gearbox options.

The City then is for the grown-up sedan buyer while the Verna will expand the sedan buyer-base to a younger set of customers. Thus while the new City has kept its loyal customer bank happy, the new Verna is more like the new kid on the block that steals the show. Both ways, sedans are back and how!

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