The Honda City and the Hyundai Verna have been around for a long time and have always been popular choices. Now, in 2024, they have new versions, both aimed at more customers.
Honda has given the City a facelift and added some new features. It’s still powered by a reliable 1.5-litre gasoline engine, with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. For those who care about the environment, a hybrid model has also been introduced.
Meanwhile, Hyundai has launched an all-new Verna and promises that it’s bigger, better, and more modern than before. You can choose between a 1.5-litre MPI petrol engine (Multi-Point Injection) or a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged GDI petrol engine (Gasoline Direct Injection), both available with manual or automatic transmission.
Let’s take a look at the details of these 2 sedans.
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Exterior view of the Hyundai Verna vs. Honda City
When it comes to exterior appearance, the Hyundai Verna doesn’t hold back with its striking design. Its striking LED lights at the front and rear, as well as its sleek shape and sharp body lines,attract attention. It has also become larger and has a wider frame and a longer wheelbase compared to the Honda City.
On the other hand, the Honda City looks elegant with its longer and higher profile. Even though the design improvements are subtle, the facelift adds sporty elements such as sculpted bumpers and a spoiler lip that make it even more attractive.
So while the Verna attracts attention with its bold style, the City goes for a more classic look that probably appeals to more people.
source of image: https://www.cardekho.com/hyundai/verna/pictures/interior/airbags-49221
Interior of the Hyundai Verna vs. Honda City
The interior of the Hyundai Verna looks very futuristic with its two screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The ivory-coloured upholstery adds to the appeal, as do the ambient lighting and the touch-controlled climate control console, which also serves as a shortcut menu for the infotainment system and is therefore state of the art.
The rear seat of the Honda City, however, steals the show with its spacious and comfortable design. Its steering wheel has buttons and sets a high standard for its competitors. The front seats of the Verna are equipped with ventilation and heating functions and the driver’s seat is partially power operated, making for a comfortable driving experience. Surprisingly, the Verna offers more space in the rear seat than the City in terms of headroom and width. The cabin also offers plenty of storage space and loading options. The boot is larger and has a wider opening than that of the Honda.
In contrast, the Honda’s cabin design looks a little plain, especially with its outdated 8-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Verna, there is no screen for the instrument cluster, only partially-digital analogue dials. This may seem old-fashioned, but the execution is first-class. The Honda’s interior feels lighter and airier thanks to the large windows, and the seats are exceptionally comfortable. However, the lack of seat ventilation is a drawback. The City’s rear seats continue to be a benchmark for comfort, although there are some minor drawbacks, such as a weak rear center armrest and fewer USB charging ports than in the Verna.
Both cars have camera-based autonomous driving assistance systems (ADAS) for enhanced safety on the road, including features such as emergency braking, collision warning, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. While the Verna performs better at detecting lane markings, the City offers additional features such as adaptive cruise control and turn assist, although this is only available in the more expensive Turbo version of the Verna with radar-based ADAS.
Engine and transmission:
Both cars have 1.5-liter petrol engines mated to continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). But the way they work is different. The Verna’s engine feels smoother and quieter, perfect for relaxed city driving. However, when you step on the gas more, the CVT transmission can make the engine sound a little loud and disconnected from the speed of the vehicle. It has paddle shifters and drive modes for added control, but it’s best enjoyed in Eco mode for a relaxed drive.
On the other hand, the City is more powerful and lighter than the Verna. Its engine is more responsive, especially in Sport mode, and offers a powerful and pleasant performance. However, it can get a little louder at higher revs compared to the Verna.
In tests, the City accelerates faster than the Verna, both from a standstill and when accelerating in corners.
In its latest version, the Hyundai Verna has made significant progress in terms of driving dynamics compared to its predecessor models. The Honda City may no longer be the benchmark for driving enthusiasts, but it still has the edge when it comes to driving feel. The City offers more direct steering and smoother suspension, resulting in a more comfortable ride compared to the Verna. Although the driving dynamics of the Verna are acceptable, it feels slightly stiffer and more hectic on the road compared to the City.
Honda City vs Hyundai Verna Comparison
| Category | Honda City | Hyundai Verna |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine (1498 cc) | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine (1497 cc) |
| Mileage | 17.8 kmpl | 18.6 kmpl |
| Features | Full LED headlights, telescopic steering adjustment | Ventilated front seats, smart trunk, projector fog lights |
| Dimensions | 4574 mm (L) x 1748 mm (W) x 1489 mm (H) | 4535 mm (L) x 1765 mm (W) x 1475 mm (H) |
| Boot Space | 510 liters | 480 liters |
| Rear Seat Shoulder Room | 1325 mm | 1315 mm |
| Rear Seat Head Room | 895 mm | 875 mm |
| Rear Seat Knee Room | 790-1000 mm | 600-840 mm |
Hyundai Verna vs Honda City: Conclusion
In its current form, the Hyundai Verna is a thoroughly modern and practical choice. True to Hyundai’s reputation, it’s loaded with features, and although prices for the petrol automatic variant are slightly higher than the Honda City, you get more for your money.
On the other hand, the Honda City is somewhat simpler than the bold Verna and has a less extensive equipment list of features. Nevertheless, it remains a bestseller for good reason. Its livelier engine performance, smoother suspension, and more comfortable seats make it the winner in terms of basic equipment. Despite the versatility of the Verna, the Honda City is still the better car to drive and live in