2020 Honda City vs rivals: Specification comparison

We find out how the upcoming Honda City stacks up against the Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and other midsize sedan contenders.

Published on Jun 19, 2020 08:00:00 AM

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UPDATE:

2020 Honda City review, test drive

2020 Honda City video review

Honda recently revealed key details of the new City that is set to be launched next month. The fifth-generation model promises to be a marked improvement over its predecessor in terms of space, comfort, technology and performance. So how does it fare against its closest rivals, at least on paper? We find out.

2020 Honda City dimensions: Just how big is it?

2020 Honda City vs rivals: Dimensions
2020 Honda CityCurrent Honda CityHyundai VernaMaruti Suzuki CiazSkoda RapidVolkswagen VentoToyota Yaris
Length4549mm4440mm4440mm4490mm4413mm4390mm4425mm
Width1748mm1695mm1729mm1730mm1699mm1699mm1730mm
Height1489mm1495mm1475mm1485mm1466mm1467mm1495mm
Wheelbase2600mm2600mm2600mm2650mm2552mm2553mm2550mm
Boot capacity506 litres510 litres480 litres510 litres460 litres494 litres476 litres
Wheel size16-inch16-inch16-inch16-inch16-inch16-inch15-inch

The new City stretches the tape at 4,549mm in length, 1,748mm in width and 1,489mm in height, making it 109mm longer and 53mm wider, albeit 6mm lower, than the current model. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,600mm. And in what will be a first for the company, both generations of the City will be sold simultaneously.

Honda’s latest midsize sedan will be the longest and widest model in its class, with the Maruti coming in second. The Ciaz, however, manages to edge past with a 50mm longer wheelbase. Nonetheless, the City, which is already known for its spacious cabin, will not disappoint on this front.

At 506 litres, the upcoming City’s boot space sees a marginal reduction in capacity and gets bested only by the Ciaz. All models in contention sport 16-inch alloys, except the Yaris which runs on 15-inchers.

2020 Honda City petrol: The most powerful car in the class

2020 Honda City vs rivals: Petrol powertrain
2020 Honda CityCurrent Honda CityHyundai VernaMaruti Suzuki CiazSkoda RapidVolkswagen VentoToyota Yaris
Engine type4 cyls, DOHC, naturally aspirated4 cyls, SOHC, naturally aspirated4 cyls, DOHC, naturally aspirated/3 cyls, DOHC, turbocharged4 cyls, DOHC, naturally aspirated3 cyls, DOHC, turbocharged3 cyls, DOHC, turbocharged4 cyls, DOHC, naturally aspirated
Displacement1498cc1497cc1497cc/998cc1462cc999cc999cc1496cc
Power121hp119hp115hp/120hp105hp110hp110hp107hp
Torque145Nm145Nm144Nm/172Nm138Nm175Nm175Nm140Nm
Manual gearbox6-speed5-speed6-speed/-5-speed6-speed6-speed6-speed
Automatic gearbox7-step CVT7-step CVTCVT/7-speed DCT4-speed torque convertor6-speed torque convertor#6-speed torque convertor7-step CVT
ARAI mileage (MT)17.8kpl17.4kpl17.7kpl/-20.65kpl18.97kpl17.69kpl17.18kpl
ARAI mileage (AT)18.4kpl18.0kpl18.45kpl/19.2kpl20.04kpl--18.1kpl

# To be launched in coming weeks

As we have already reported, the fifth-gen City gets an all-new petrol engine. It's a 1.5-litre, dual-cam, naturally aspirated motor (codename:L15B) that pushes out 121hp (a bump of 2hp compared to the previous model) and 145Nm of torque. Manual transmission gets an extra gear ratio and is now a 6-speed 'box, while Honda says that the 7-step CVT auto is a new unit as well.

The uptick in power makes the new City the most powerful offering in its class. It even has the highest torque figure amongst its naturally aspirated rivals. However, the 1.0-litre forced induction units of the Verna, Rapid and Vento, unsurprisingly, take the lead when it comes to overall torque figures.

 

The Ciaz notwithstanding, the fuel economy of the soon-to-be launched City is par for the course for non-turbocharged powertrains.

2020 Honda City diesel: Efficiency oriented

2020 Honda City vs rivals: Diesel powertrain
2020 Honda CityHyundai Verna
Engine type4 cyls, DOHC, turbocharged4 cyls, DOHC, turbocharged
Displacement1498cc1493cc
Power100hp115hp
Torque200Nm250Nm
Manual gearbox6-speed6-speed
Automatic gearbox-6-speed torque convertor
ARAI mileage (MT)24.1kpl25.0kpl
ARAI mileage (AT)-21.3kpl

With most players having exited the diesel market, your choice of diesel sedans is restricted to the new Honda City and the updated Hyundai Verna. The new City uses a BS6-compliant version of Honda’s proven 1.5-litre diesel engine, though output remains unchanged at 100hp and 200Nm.

The 1.5-litre diesel engine on the Verna is new too, and one-ups the City’s unit with higher outputs of 115hp and 250Nm. 6-speed manual gearboxes are standard on both diesel sedans, and you can expect superb fuel economy from both. The Verna is the only one to be offered with an automatic transmission option - a 6-speed torque converter unit. Sadly, Honda won’t offer a diesel-CVT combo on the new City. 

2020 Honda City price: Will it be expensive? 

2020 Honda City vs rivals: Price
New City*Old City*Verna*Ciaz*Rapid 1.0 TSI^Vento 1.0 TSI^Yaris*
Petrol MTRs 10.50-13.50 lakh (est.)Rs 9.91-13.01 lakhRs 9.31-12.60 lakhRs 8.32-10.09 lakhRs 7.49-11.79 lakhRs 8.87-11.99 lakhRs 8.86-13.06 lakh
Petrol ATRs 12.50-15 lakh (est.)Rs 11.82-14.31 lakhRs 11.95-13.99 lakhRs 9.98-11.10 lakh-Rs 12.10-13.30 lakhRs 9.56-14.30 lakh
Diesel MTRs 10.50-15 lakh (est.)-Rs 10.66-13.95 lakh----
Diesel AT--Rs 13.20-15.10 lakh----

Honda has confirmed that the new City will be launched in our market next month. Positioned higher up in the Japanese automaker’s portfolio, expect it to carry a premium over the current model and be priced in the range of Rs 10.50-15 lakh*. Whether the existing City sees a price rationalisation is something to watch out for. Nonetheless, you can expect Honda’s latest midsize sedan to be priced at the higher end of the segment.  

Which of these sedans’ specs are you most impressed by? Let us know in the comments section below.

* ex-showroom, Delhi

^ ex-showroom, India

Also see:

2020 India-spec Honda City image gallery

Honda Cars

Honda Amaze

₹ 8.99 - 11.14 lakh

Honda City

₹ 14.20 - 23.89 lakh

Honda Elevate

₹ 14.00 - 19.22 lakh

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