With the launch of Hyundai Facelift 4S Verna sedan in the country, fight among the three major players in C segment including Honda City, Maruti Ciaz and Verna facelift has started catching pace. Where both City and Ciaz have already been showing their charisma in the Indian market, all eyes are stuck to see if Verna would be able to match to that performance. In this respect, we are here with a comparison parameter that would perhaps give us a fair idea as which player is more competent to overcome the sheen of others in the segment.
Firstly let’s talk about the design aspects- In terms of looks and appearance, Verna seems to take the lead with its tag of most pioneering car of the bunch. The updated 4S Verna now sports a reworked front fascia sporting a new twin-slat grille and revamped bumper. The extended headlamps and a new set of fog lamps with daytime running LEDs just add to the beauty of the car. These updated features in Verna in turn clarifies that looks of this car are designed very intelligently to take on the likes of its competitors City and Ciaz that come with delicate looks. So for all the people who prefer influential design on a car, Verna would solve their purpose.
On the size front, the Ciaz is the longest in length as well as in wheelbase, while Verna and City sedan being little smaller in size allow space conscious buyers to go for Ciaz. To sum up, looks being an individual’s observation, is largely affected by the personal tastes and preferences and that’s why it will depend on customer’s requirement who might either go for classy looks of Ciaz or exclusive styling touches of City and Verna.
If we discuss about the features incorporated in all the three vehicles, we will get to know that Verna has not been left squat on features and it offers everything you can imagine excluding rear AC vents. Some pioneering attributes like mechanical headlamps, rain sensing wipers, 6- airbags and cooled glove-box definitely gives edging to Verna over City and Ciaz, that too come with all the essential features such as keyless entry, push engine start/stop and rear camera. So, it becomes quite clear that Verna has been put to take the lead in the features department.
Performance has always been a deciding factor to take a car home, so Hyundai knowing this fact offers Verna with two engine options; 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel units, thereby becoming the sole producer in this segment to offer such engine options. On the high-end models, Verna employs 1.6 litre mills that makes it superior from rivals on power and torque front. Among this trio, Ciaz comes as the least powerful car.
Value additions – With the introduction of City and Ciaz, Verna lost its charm because it was always being condemned on part of an awfully light suspension at the rear and hazy steering. But Hyundai has tried to resolve all these problems in new version and now the car comes with solid suspension and weighty steering. Moreover, Maruti Ciaz gives more planted feeling on roads and City sedan seems inclined towards rolling a bit. Though, on handling aspects, City is the sharpest car among the lot. So in our view, regardless of the revamped suspension and handling of Verna, Ciaz and City get edge on handling front.
Lastly, the pricing of cars will also affect the decision of buyers to go for his favorite vehicle. Verna 4S with the price tag of INR 7.73 lacs (ex-showroom, New Delhi), has been placed between City and Ciaz. Now it is to see when Ciaz is supported by Maruti‘s reliable aftersales service and City sedan which is already very popular among the masses, will Verna facelift make its position strong or left aside in the abyss of ignorance? Time is the best judge.