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Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI vs Honda City vs Hyundai Verna vs others

Skoda Rapid

What you'll like:

  • Most fun-to-drive C2 segment sedan on sale today. Begs to be driven hard!
  • Brilliant 109 BHP 1.0L TSI engine is an enthusiast's delight. Mated to a slick 6-speed MT
  • The Skoda Rapid's European build quality is more solid than the competition's
  • VFM pricing. We feel that the Rapid is well-priced for what it offers
  • Mature suspension offers a balanced ride & best-in-class dynamics
  • Strong safety rating, 4 airbags & good brakes
  • Still looks great. Old, but timeless, clean & classy
  • Features such as rake & reach steering, cruise control, auto headlamps + wipers, adjustable driver armrest, tinted windows...

What you won't:

  • The Skoda Rapid is a 9-year old car based on the 11-year old VW Polo. Cabin feels outdated too
  • Horror stories about Skoda's after-sales service
  • 1.0 TSI’s refinement is poor at high rpm (it’s satisfactory at regular revs)
  • Unknown long-term reliability of this complex turbo-petrol engine
  • Horrible, cheap & buggy audio system in the Style & Monte Carlo variants. Replace it
  • Tall rear floor hump will annoy the 5th occupant
  • No diesel and no automatic in the Rapid (AT is expected in a few months though)
  • Missing features: Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, keyless-entry-go, oldschool MID, LED headlamps, basic 4-speaker ICE, sunroof...

Link to Official Review

Honda City

Link to List of Initial Observations

Link to Launch Thread

Hyundai Verna

What you'll like:

  • A true all-rounder. Styling packs appeal too
  • The overall package is well-priced. Offers good value for money
  • Refined diesel & petrol engines mated to smooth MTs & ATs
  • Precise build & quality (including interiors) are easily among the segment best
  • Suspension delivers a compliant ride & neutral road manners
  • Loaded with kit! Hands-free boot, cooled seats, sunroof, rear sunshade, AutoLink etc.
  • Dual airbags, ABS & ISOFIX mounts are standard on all variants. SX(O) gets 6 airbags
  • Hyundai's reliability, competent after-sales & 3-year unlimited km warranty

What you won't:

  • Rear seat isn't as spacious as that of the City & Ciaz. SX(O)'s hard seatback makes it worse
  • Missing essentials! Reach-adjustable steering, auto wipers, auto-folding ORVMs…
  • On select variants, the diesel motor carries a steep premium over the petrol (SX = 1.35 lakhs)
  • Petrol AT isn't as fuel efficient as a couple of its rivals
  • While the driving experience has improved, some competitors are still more exciting to drive
  • Loses the rear disc brakes that the last-gen Verna was launched with. Braking feel & bite leave a lot to be desired

Link to Official Review

Link to Facelift Launch Thread

Maruti Ciaz

What you'll like:

  • Clean styling & big footprint. Among the longest & widest sedans from its class
  • Value-for-money pricing that undercuts almost all rivals
  • Spacious cabin with lots of practical features. Rear legroom is particularly impressive
  • Petrol variant has now improved, thanks to the new 1.5L motor
  • Soft, compliant ride quality. A suspension that's tuned for comfort
  • Big 510 liter boot will swallow your airport & holiday luggage
  • Maruti’s excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experience
  • Equipment such as the automatic LED headlamps, DRLs, 7" touchscreen ICE, rear sunshade, cruise control, telematics system etc.

What you won't:

  • New 1.5L petrol is rather mediocre. City & Verna petrol engines are much superior
  • No diesel option available after the introduction of BS6 emission norms
  • 4-speed Automatic gearbox feels old & outdated
  • Petrol Ciaz has gotten more expensive by 34k – 65k
  • Uninvolving to drive. Enthusiasts, look elsewhere
  • Average under-thigh support of the low rear seat. Also, limited rear headroom for 6 footers
  • Light build & ordinary interior quality. The game has moved on with newer competitors
  • Maruti has missed the opportunity of a true top-end variant with 6 airbags, sunroof, auto-wipers & more

Link to Official Review

Toyota Yaris

What you'll like:

  • A well-built sedan; feels sturdier than the City and Ciaz
  • Good quality cabin with built-to-last materials & excellent NVH insulation
  • Mature ride comfort with sorted road manners
  • Smooth CVT automatic is available in all trim levels
  • Features such as the auto headlamps + wipers, electric driver's seat, front parking sensors, rear sunshade etc.
  • 5-star safety rating & kit! 7 airbags, all-disc brakes, ESP, HSA, TPMS, 3-point seatbelts for all & more
  • Toyota's excellent after-sales quality, fuss-free ownership experiences, low service costs & up to 7 years of extended warranty coverage

What you won't:

  • Simply overpriced, especially the higher variants. Toyota has gotten it wrong
  • Rear seat's width is enough for 2 adults only, while rear headroom is limited too. Passengers will complain
  • Engine feels adequate, but isn't exciting at all. CVT gets sluggish with an enthusiastic driving style
  • Many will find the over-styled face to be a turnoff
  • No turbo-diesel option for the torque lovers
  • Missing auto-dimming IRVM, reach-adjustable steering, dead pedal, auto-folding ORVMs, sunroof & 195 mm tyres
  • Top variant's audio head-unit has several flaws. Misses Android Auto & Apple CarPlay as well

Link to Official Review

Volkswagen Vento

What you'll like:

  • A well-built, robust, European sedan
  • Clean and contemporary styling. Boot is superbly integrated
  • Stunning turbo-petrol engine
  • Mature suspension setup. Balanced ride & handling
  • Segment firsts : Reach adjust steering, gear recommender, adjustable driver armrest etc.
  • All-rounded nature; Jack of all trades

What you won't:

  • 8.86L Trendline (entry) variant is simply too basic
  • Electric power steering. The Vento deserves a pure hydraulic unit
  • No turbo-diesel option for the torque lovers
  • VW's after sales has yet to prove itself
  • VW's long-term reliability and ownership costs are on the higher side
  • No automatic in a segment that loves its ATs

Link to Official Review

Link to Report - 2015 Volkswagen Vento Facelift

Link to 2020 Facelift Launch Thread

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