The Hyundai Verna and Honda City are both available with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine along with the choice of either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the Hyundai Verna is also available with the choice of a turbo-petrol engine, the naturally aspirated engine is the sole option on the Honda City. We have tested both cars in their CVT guise to find out which car performs better in real-world conditions.
Honda City CVT vs Hyundai Verna CVT: Specifications
Honda City is lighter and makes 6hp/1Nm more
Both the Hyundai Verna and the Honda City are powered by a 1.5-litre, 4 cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The difference being, the Honda gets a 7-step unit whereas it is a 8-step unit in the Hyundai. In terms of numbers, the Honda City makes 6hp more and is 55kg lighter than the Verna.
Honda City CVT vs Hyundai Verna CVT: 0-100kph acceleration test
The City starts stronger, but the Verna clocks a faster 0-100kph time
Owing to its lighter weight and more output, the Honda City takes the lead at launch and maintains it up till 60kph. But from there on, the Hyundai takes the lead, and by the time they reach 120kph, the Verna is 1.84sec ahead of the City.
Honda City CVT vs Hyundai Verna CVT: Rolling acceleration tests
The Verna is faster in both 20-80kph and 40-100kph rolling acceleration
In our rolling acceleration tests, the numbers are quite close, but it’s the Verna that’s faster here too. In the 20-80kph run, the Verna is 0.2s quicker than the City, whereas in the 40-100kph run, the difference is just 0.09s. Similar to the 0-100kph run, the City takes the lead initially before the Verna starts to claw its way back. However, in the real world, the difference in performance is not large enough for one to notice.
Honda City CVT vs Hyundai Verna CVT: Prices
The Verna has a lower price tag than the Verna
The Hyundai Verna CVT’s starting price is Rs. 15,000 lower than that of the City, whereas when you compare the top trims, it’s again the Verna that is cheaper than the City by Rs. 25,000. Essentially, the Verna CVT range is more affordable than the City CVT.
Autocar India’s testing standards
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.