Diesel duel

Honda has launched the fifth generation City in India. It gets a diesel engine much like its arch rival, the Hyundai Verna. We find out which one is better

- Rahul Ghosh

Right from the time when it was launched, the Honda City had been one of India’s favourite sedans. This was especially the case when the VTEC variant was launched. It not just kept the enthusiast happy, but also those looking out for comfort. There was also a time when the City was not available in a diesel variant and yet it was topping the segment sales chart. This trend continued till very recently. However with the competition getting hotter, the City lost steam. Honda now intends changing all that with the new fifth generation City. But to be honest, its arch rival in the segment is the Hyundai Verna only. This is because the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is no longer available in diesel. Hyundai recently gave the Verna a minor facelift to take on the new-gen City. Can the Hyundai be better than the City? Let’s find out.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

The new generation City has grown by a considerable margin. The sedan is now longer and wider than before and is lower too. The wheelbase though remains identical to the older car. While the basic platform of the new City is same as the older car, a lot has been done to it to increase stiffness and strength. As far as the looks are concerned, the new design is still unmistakably a City. Just that the lines are sharper. The headlamps look sleek and come with LED DRLs as well. The prominent use of chrome on the grille also adds to the more imposing character. In profile, the silhouette is rather sleek. The sweeping roof line and the prominent shoulder line add character to the sedan. The rear end too looks good thanks to the sleek design and those LED tail lamps.