YARIS vs VERNA vs CITY vs CIAZ COMPARISON et’s cut to the chase. Suzuki’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 Maruti Suzuki Ciaz are months, will get a facelift and a new Yaris is the most expensive car here. here is because they are the petrol engine. 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 Toyota’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 sedan here, and also has plastics are hard and shiny, and Front-seat comfort is good but taller Verna. There are no exaggerated the largest wheelbase. 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.