YARIS vs VERNA vs CITY vs CIAZ COMPARISON

et’s cut to the chase. ’s competent Ciaz has been in that to the Hyundai Verna SX(O)’s The reason the the news for other reasons. It’s now Rs 11.42 lakh, Honda City VX’s Rs Hyundai Verna, being sold through the premium 12.06 lakh and Maruti Ciaz Alpha’s L Honda City and Nexa retail outlets, and in a few Rs 9.7 lakh, and you will see the Ciaz are months, will get a facelift and a new Yaris is the most expensive car here. here is because they are the . But given that current Is it good enough to justify the extra bestselling mid-size sedans in India. Ciaz sales are showing no signs of spend, or do any of the other three By extension, that means, for a tailing off, it’s still very relevant in provide a better alternative? THE ACID TEST majority of buyers in the segment, this comparison. these are also the models ’s In focus are the petrol-manual OUTSIDE LINE A new Toyota is always big news, but is the Yaris the best of the petrol new Yaris will be judged against. versions of these cars, which are the A few years ago, Toyota’s boss Akio Walkovers they are not. most popular variants in the model Toyoda promised ‘no more boring mid-sizer sedans you could have? Nikhil Bhatia has brought together Hyundai’s latest Verna finally range. Toyota has priced the base cars’. But, in look, the Yaris seems has the substance to go with its version of the Yaris competitively at caught in the transformation from the current top sellers in the segment to find out just that. style, while the Honda City got an Rs 8.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) old Toyota to new Toyota. The basic update last year to make it the most but the top-end VX in consideration shape and design is safe, but the PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL DEWARS & OMK AR DHAS appealing it’s ever been. Maruti here costs Rs 12.85 lakh. Compare nose – though striking and radical ◊ TOYOTA YARIS V TRIMTOYOTA USED FOR PHOTOGRAPHY ONLY. WWW.KHEDCITY.COM PUNE PARK, INDUSTRIAL CITY KHED COURTESY: LOCATION

122 AUTOCARINDIA.COM JUNE 2018 JUNE 2018 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 123 YARIS vs VERNA vs CITY vs CIAZ COMPARISON ∆ by Toyota standards – doesn’t spruced up the City’s cabin with quite gel convincingly with the  some soft-touch plastics on the rest of the car. Think middle-aged dash, but overall quality isn’t at man with a landing strip goatee, With seven airbags, ESP and a 5-star crash Verna levels. The asymmetrical dash and you’ll get the idea. The large divides opinion too, and that cool- headlights and blacked-out portion rating, the Yaris has the bragging rights looking touchscreen for the climate of the bumper work as individual control system is actually a bit elements, but then there’s nothing when talking safety kit. distracting to use on the go. remarkable at the rear, and the small You won’t find anything out of 15-inch wheels also give the Yaris a the ordinary in the Ciaz. The dash less-than-perfect stance.  is simple in design and quality While Toyota has strived for side; perhaps the upcoming facelift footwell and the absence of a dead levels are fair, but look closely and flamboyant styling on the Yaris, will add a bit of flash to the look. pedal. Also, for all its use of beige you’ll find some plastic panels don’t Hyundai, formerly known for its The Ciaz does manage to look quite materials, the cabin never looks or align perfectly and that some of the flamboyant designs, has gone for a substantial, though. It’s the longest feel premium enough. The larger switches come from lesser Marutis. ‘less is more’ approach with the new and widest here, and also has plastics are hard and shiny, and Front-seat comfort is good but taller Verna. There are no exaggerated the largest . The Yaris the mock ‘stitching’ on the steering drivers will find the seat set too high cuts and creases here, and, in fact, matches the Ciaz on width but is is unconvincing. Build quality, even at its lowest position. the styling is neat and tidy and looks the shortest in length. Interestingly, however, is pretty good. In the back, it’s the Ciaz that can more like a heavily facelifted version the City and Verna are identical in It is the Verna, though, that, with give more expensive models a run Yaris cabin has unique details. Touchscreen sensibly positioned high up on dash. Verna dash is neatly laid out. Build and cabin quality are the best in segment. of the previous model than an all- length and wheelbase. its doors shutting with a reassuring for their money with the legroom it new design. The Verna’s ‘cascading thunk, feels the best built. Cabin offers. But the thing is, this class- grille’ and swept-up headlamps look IN DEPTH quality levels are also the best here leading leg space doesn’t translate good, the roof is nicely arced and the These cars carry their exterior and it’s things like the knitted roof to class-leading comfort. The rear tail-lights with their LED signatures personalities on the inside as well. lining that make all the difference. seats are firm, the squab is short are really eye-catching. So, where the Yaris’s cabin has some The dash is neatly laid out and is and headroom is just average too. LED headlights, meanwhile, are overdone elements, the Verna’s is quite low to afford a reasonably Without a doubt, it’s the City that the talking point on the facelifted smart, the City’s is modern and the good view out. You sit quite low in offers the best comfort at the back. City. They not only provide excellent Ciaz’s is neat. the Hyundai and the seats aren’t Legroom is second only to the illumination but also add another The Yaris’ dash is unique in look the largest around, but on a hot Ciaz, but the seats are way more dose of modernity to its arrow-shot and sensibly designed, with the summer’s day, you are sure to have comfortable, and that upward design. Last year’s update also infotainment screen positioned high praise for its unique front seat sloping floor that serves as a natural brought with it a new chrome-rich high up on the centre console. ventilation function. footrest takes things up a notch. It’s grille, and new, premium-looking Other nice bits include the climate Seat comfort is an area the Honda also the car best suited to seating alloy wheels that do their bit to help control console and the 4.2-inch City aces the rest, and how. The three abreast. hide the City’s four-year vintage. multi-info display at the dials. The front seats are large and perfectly The Yaris and Verna are no match The Maruti Ciaz is also ageing Yaris’ segment-first eight-way- cushioned, and the inclusion of a for the City and Ciaz for cabin room, quite gracefully. It’s a smartly adjustable powered driver’s seat is telescopic steering wheel adjust and just don’t offer the same sense turned-out sedan, even though its also a pleasant addition, though you also helps achieve a spot-on driving of space either. In fact, there are styling leans to the conservative still have to contend with a narrow position. With the facelift, Honda compact sedans more spacious ◊ Honda cabin has sportiest vibe. Some surfaces now come finished in soft plastics. Like the Ciaz’s exterior, its interior also lacks flash but looks clean and smart.

124 AUTOCARINDIA.COM JUNE 2018 JUNE 2018 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 125 YARIS vs VERNA vs CITY vs CIAZ COMPARISON ∆ than the Verna. Make your peace with the space on offer, especially the very limited headroom, and you’ll find the Hyundai’s seat nice, and appreciate the inclusion of adjustable rear-seat headrests. Note, the Yaris is the only car with a rear centre headrest and a proper three-point seat belt for the middle passenger. But the front centre armrest extends so far back, it actually eats into middle passenger legroom, and the backrest too is a bit upright. And what of its Innova-like roof-mounted rear air con vents? Well, the location rules out the possibility of a sunroof but is actually the most effective at Yaris the only model with three headrests at the rear. Backrest is a touch upright. channelling cool air to the back, and it’s the only unit that lets you adjust fan speed at the back too. Charging points for the rear passengers are always handy and are included in all these cars, though the City and Yaris go one up by offering two ports. All these cars get plenty of storage space for both front and rear and also offer large enough boots. The Ciaz and City’s 510-litre boots are the largest by capacity, but the Yaris’ is easiest to load luggage into. The Yaris also offers the added flexibility of folding rear seats with a 60:40 rear-seat split. Verna just no match for the others on rear seat room. The seat itself is comfy. BACK TO THE FEATURE The top-spec Yaris VX is the most expensive of these mid-size sedans, but it does get quite a few class- first features to help justify its price. There’s a powered driver’s seat adjust, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and even a tyre pressure monitoring system. However, the single area where the Yaris pulls a lead over its rivals is in safety. Seven airbags are commendably standard across the range, and higher versions see the addition of rear disc brakes, while top versions also get the safety net of electronic stability You’ll be happiest on the City’s back seat. It’s roomy and comfort is superb.

programme and hill start assist. and tilt and telescopic adjust for will rectify the situation with the WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY And although the results don’t the steering. Still, it’s a shame that upcoming facelift. Toyota Yaris VX MT Hyundai Verna 1.6 VTVT SX(O) Honda City 1.5 i-VTEC VX Maruti Suzuki Ciaz K14 Alpha directly apply in India, there’s some Honda doesn’t sell the City petrol- Common to all these cars are Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) Rs 12.85 lakh Rs 11.42 lakh Rs 12.06 lakh Rs 9.7 lakh satisfaction in knowing the Yaris manual in the top-spec ZX trim. ZX leather seats, rear air con vents, LED headlights NA NA n NA scored a 5-star rating in the ASEAN trim cars get auto headlights and keyless go and touchscreen Auto headlamps/wipers n/n n/NA NA/NA NA/NA Tyre pressure monitor n NA NA NA NCAP crash test. wipers, and see the addition of side infotainment systems. In the battle Cruise control n n n NA The Verna in top SX(O) trim is and curtain airbags. of the infotainment systems, the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay NA/NA n/n NA/NA n/n quite content rich in its own right. The Ciaz makes do with the Verna’s unit comes up trumps. It’s Leather seats n n n n It misses out on the Yaris’ electronic fewest goodies and feels pared the best to use and comes loaded Powered driver’s seat n NA NA NA aids but comes with six airbags, down amidst rivals. You, however, with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay Ventilated front seats NA n NA NA Rear air con vents n n n n and is also the only car here with can’t hold that against it because and MirrorLink. Honda’s DigiPad Sunroof NA n n NA ventilated front seats and hands-free it’s not just thousands of rupees system is good but not great, though Front/rear parking sensors n/n NA/n NA/NA NA/n boot release. Also part of the kit is but lakhs cheaper than its rivals. we expect it to be only a matter of Rear-view camera n n n n a sunroof, something you’d find on It gets the modern-day essentials, time before the more advanced and ESP n NA NA NA the Honda City VX too. but it’s odd that lesser vehicles in friendlier DigiPad 2.0 from the new Airbags 7 6 2 2 The other features of note on Maruti’s line-up actually feature Amaze makes its way onto the City n = Available, NA=Not Available the City VX are its LED headlights more kit. Perhaps Maruti Suzuki too. The Yaris’ system is unique in ◊ You get most legroom in the Ciaz, but headroom is limited and the seat isn’t great.

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Ciaz peppiest of the lot at town speeds. Yaris only average on performance.

∆ the fact that it supports gesture controls for basic functions. But it’s quite temperamental and a bit gimmicky to be honest, and the rest of the interface is also nothing to write home about. Ciaz buyers get Maruti Suzuki’s simple and straightforward SmartPlay system. Yaris’ roof-mounted It’s fair for usability but scores big air con is very effective; points for its support of Android and powered driver’s seat a Apple’s projection systems. segment-first feature. MEDIUM PACERS There’s a 30hp difference in power between the most powerful car here and the least powerful one. We’ll get to each one by one, but what you should know is that all these cars make use of four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engines. The Yaris’s 1.5-litre engine’s Front seat ventilation 107hp and 140Nm puts it smack in a cool touch on Verna; the middle of the power and torque hands-free boot release charts. It’s an easygoing engine comes handy too. that also does its work quietly. Performance is fine for keeping up with the flow of city traffic but ask any more of it, and the Yaris fails to make an impression. The mid-range is meek, so you’ll often reach out for the gear lever to downshift to get by traffic. Its performance numbers corroborate our findings – the Yaris takes the most time to 100kph from a standstill, and its in-gear timings are also slowest across the board. ◊  The latest Verna has taken a two-gen leap forward in driving dynamics.  JUNE 2018 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 129 YARIS vs VERNA vs CITY vs CIAZ COMPARISON  The City is great to drive hard and also great to be driven in.  ∆ The Verna, on the other hand, comes a close second, if it isn’t already the quickest accelerating car in a particular gear. It helps that the Hyundai’s 123hp and 151Nm, 1.6-litre engine is the largest, most powerful and torquiest one here. The Verna feels peppy in town and its power characteristics also make it feel the most flexible; so you can get away with driving in a higher gear without protest from the engine. That the engine runs smooth and quiet (it’s the quietest here) is also a very big plus in the Verna’s favour. Quite the opposite is the City’s engine – it’s the most audible one here. It’s the loudest at idle and on the go, but ardent petrolheads might actually like the ‘raw’ sound and nature of the engine. Because when you open it up, few mass market City’s LED headlights car engines excite like Honda’s offer great illumination; 119hp and 145Nm 1.5 i-VTEC unit. short throws make It’s a hoot from 4,500rpm on to its gearbox a joy to use. 7,000rpm limiter, and the strong top-end is partly responsible for the City’s class-best 0-100kph time of 10.13sec. However, in more everyday driving scenarios, the City takes some time to get into its stride, which is a bit of a downer. With a humdrum 92hp and 130Nm from its 1.4-litre engine, Nexa-retailed Ciaz you’d expect the Ciaz to feel quite doesn’t get trim dull. But the big surprise is that insignia; Android it’s actually the most alert and Auto/Apple CarPlay responsive to throttle inputs in the ◊ support welcome.

The City is quickest to 100kph but it’s the Verna that’s quicker through the gears.

JUNE 2018 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 131 YARIS vs VERNA vs CITY vs CIAZ COMPARISON ∆ lower gears, which works great for keen drivers. It’s steering is value card with aplomb. It’s the in the daily traffic grind. The  reasonably quick (vis-à-vis the most spacious, it’s peppy in town, Toyota Yaris Hyundai Verna Honda City Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Ciaz’s light 1,025kg kerb weight others), if not totally feelsome, so and happens to be the most efficient VX MT 1.6 VTVT SX(O) 1.5 i-VTEC VX K14 Alpha undoubtedly helps low-speed The Ciaz trails rivals on spec and there’s some fun to be had chucking too. You do get a lot of car for the performance. Try upping the pace, the car into a corner. money, just not the best car. Its VERDICT Not the game changer we Rear-seat space aside, Can’t go wrong with it, A sensible if unexciting buy and suddenly the engine comes features but then it also costs a good Ciaz drivers will rarely feel boring engine and the absence of hoped for from Toyota. the new Verna has it all. but is no longer the best. for those on a budget across as unidimensional. Power the urge to do the same. Body many features make it the value RATING HHHHHHHIII HHHHHHHHII HHHHHHHHII HHHHHHHIII L/W/H 4425/1730/1495mm 4440/1729/1475mm 4440/1695/1495mm 4490/1730/1485mm delivery is flat, the mid-range is few lakhs less than the others. control is actually quite alright, choice, but little more. Wheelbase 2550mm 2600mm 2600mm 2650mm dull and there’s nothing exciting but the steering feels just too If you are going to be primarily OUR Kerb weight 1120kg 1143kg CHOICE 1084kg 1025kg in store in the top-end either. You numb. And like all new Marutis, sat at the back, or have frequent Engine 4 cyls, 1496cc, petrol 4 cyls, 1591cc, petrol 4 cyls, 1497cc, petrol 4 cyls, 1373cc, petrol particularly feel the lack of zing out  the self-centring is inconsistent. use of the rear seats, the City is the Power 107hp at 6000rpm 123hp at 6400rpm 119hp at 6600rpm 92hp at 6000rpm on the highway. RIDE SHARE leap in the right direction. Sure, What is nice is the ride. It rides car for you. The rear seat is easily Torque 140Nm at 4200rpm 151Nm at 4850rpm 145Nm at 4600rpm 130Nm at 4000rpm All the models come with light The four cars use electric power the steering is still not the last like a much heavier car and feels the best in class. Enthusiasts will Gearbox 6-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed manual 5-speed manual clutches and nice gearboxes, but steering, and front MacPherson word in feel, but body control and quite planted. The suspension is also like the engine for its top-end Tyre size 185/60 R15 195/55 R16 185/55 R16 195/55 R16 it’s the Honda’s setup that feels the struts and rear torsion beam high-speed manners are actually absorbent and quiet. performance, but the Honda isn’t Boot capacity 476 litres 480 litres 510 litres 510 litres sportiest, goading you to try out suspension arrangements. The the best amongst this quartet. The perfect. It’s the noisiest of the lot, PERFORMANCE Acceleration (from rest) Acceleration (from rest) Acceleration (from rest) Acceleration (from rest) a quick shift every now and then. Yaris exhibits a hint of firmness class-best overall refinement just FINAL TALLY not fully awake at low city speeds, 20 1.13 1.09 1.24 1.37 The Yaris and Verna make use of at low speeds, but the setup bodes ups that feeling of comfort. The The Yaris is a car that does many and is also on the expensive side for 40 2.92 2.68 2.5 2.83 six-speed gearboxes, while the City well at higher speeds, where it feels Verna is good in town too, with a things well without being great what it gets you. 60 5.33 4.84 4.44 5.27 and Ciaz come with five-speed controlled in its body movements, steering that’s easy to twirl and a at any one thing in particular. The Verna it is then. It’s a car that 80 8.32 7.47 6.95 7.9 units. Unexpectedly though, it was and there’s plenty of grip too. suspension that ably filters out It comes across as a bit vanilla, tops the scoring sheets across many 100 12.39 11.18 10.13 12.02 the cars with the five-speeders But the steering that’s relatively most surface imperfections. and just doesn’t have the pull a parameters and offers the most 120 17.51 15.67 14.64 16.68 that delivered better fuel economy heavy at low speeds, also feels The City is the stiffest sprung mid-size sedan with a Toyota feel-good experience when talking 140 25.06 22.21 19.93 24.24 numbers. Leading the pack is the artificially weighted at high car here. There’s always that little badge on it should have. Sure, quality, refinement and general 20-80kph (in third gear) 14.74 11.71 12.82 11.32 Ciaz, followed closely by the City. speeds and just doesn’t give a bit of up-down movement and the safety levels are best in class and driving manners. If the limited 40-100kph (in fourth gear) 20.43 15.56 17.22 16.2 The Yaris and Verna’s single-digit very connected experience. suspension doesn’t completely there are quite a few goodies on rear-seat space and mediocre fuel FUEL ECONOMY fuel economy figures in town are A disconnected driving experience shield you against the bumps. It’s the top-spec trim too, but it is economy are not deal breakers for City/highway (kpl) 9.6/16.4 9.2/13.5 11.0/17.0 11.5/17.2 sure to be a concern for many was synonymous with the last-gen good then that the City’s seats simply pricey by class standards. you, the Verna is quite simply the WHAT IT COSTS buyers in these times of record-high Verna. The latest one? It’s almost are as comfy as they are. But the At the other end of the spectrum best petrol-manual mid-size sedan Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) Rs 12.85 lakh Rs 11.42 lakh Rs 12.06 lakh Rs 9.7 lakh fuel prices. like it’s taken a two-generation Honda, once again, has something is the Maruti Ciaz that plays the you can buy today. AI

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