Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Skoda Slavia: Best Top-end Variant for Performance Enthusiasts

As a true performance enthusiast, you seek out the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India. So what makes a high-performance car model? We compare the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia, and see how their top-end variants fare in terms of their performance.

In this article, we will share

• What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
• Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Skoda Slavia – a comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance and features
• How to pick the right car for you

What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car

Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:

• Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
• Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
• Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
• Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance

Performance enthusiasts prioritize driving dynamics, power, and responsiveness when choosing a car. They seek vehicles with powerful engines, quick acceleration, and high top speeds. A well-tuned suspension that minimizes body roll and provides agile handling is crucial. Enthusiasts also appreciate advanced transmissions like dual-clutch automatics (DCTs) for fast and smooth gear changes. Steering feedback and precise control are essential for an engaging driving experience. 

Additionally, they value features like launch control, drive modes, and sporty exhaust notes. Aesthetically, performance enthusiasts are drawn to aggressive styling, sporty body kits, and large alloy wheels that complement the car’s performance capabilities.

Why Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia are popular

The Hyundai Verna, Honda City, and Skoda Slavia have gained popularity among performance enthusiasts due to their engaging driving dynamics and powerful engine options.

The Verna offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 157.57 BHP and 253 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DCT, delivering quick acceleration and smooth gear shifts. The Skoda Slavia’s 1.5-liter TSI engine produces 147.51 BHP and 250 Nm of torque, coupled with a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG, offering exhilarating performance and precise handling. The Honda City’s 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine, although less powerful, provides a responsive and refined driving experience.

All three models feature well-tuned suspensions that minimize body roll and provide agile handling, making them enjoyable to drive on winding roads. The sporty styling, with aggressive front grilles, sharp lines, and alloy wheels, adds to their appeal among performance enthusiasts.

Top-end variants shortlist for Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia

For Hyundai Verna, we have:

For Skoda Slavia, we have:

For Honda City, we have:

Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT and SX Opt Turbo DCT DT

The Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT and SX Opt Turbo DCT DT are excellent choices for performance enthusiasts. Both variants come equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 157.57 BHP and 253 Nm of torque, paired with a quick-shifting 7-speed DCT. The DCT ensures fast and smooth gear changes, enhancing the driving experience. The Verna’s suspension is tuned for minimal body roll and agile handling, making it enjoyable to drive on winding roads. You can also read our guide to the most value for money Verna variants in Rs 13-15 lakh range.

Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI Elegance Edition DSG and 1.5 TSI Style Matte DSG

The Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI Elegance Edition DSG and 1.5 TSI Style Matte DSG are well-suited for performance enthusiasts. Both variants are powered by a 1.5-liter TSI engine that produces 147.51 BHP and 250 Nm of torque. The Elegance Edition comes with a 6-speed DSG, while the Style Matte variant features a 7-speed DSG. The Slavia offers precise steering, minimal body roll, and agile handling, making it a joy to drive. If you are looking for a family car, you can read our comparison of the Slavia with Honda Elevate.

Honda City ZX CVT and Hybrid V CVT

The Honda City ZX CVT and Hybrid V CVT, although not as powerful as the Verna and Slavia, are still attractive options for performance enthusiasts who prioritize a balance between performance and efficiency. The ZX CVT is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine that delivers 119.35 BHP and 145 Nm of torque, paired with a responsive CVT. The Hybrid V CVT combines a 1.5-liter petrol engine with an electric motor, offering a combined output of 96.55 BHP and 127 Nm of torque. Both variants provide agile handling and a smooth driving experience. If you enjoy long drives, you can read our comparison of the City with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia for Performance Enthusiasts

After careful consideration, we recommend the Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT as the best variant for performance enthusiasts. This variant offers a perfect blend of power, performance, and driving dynamics that cater to the needs of enthusiasts.

The Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine that delivers an impressive 157.57 BHP and 253 Nm of torque. This engine is known for its strong power delivery and quick responsiveness, ensuring an exhilarating driving experience. The engine is paired with a quick-shifting 7-speed DCT transmission, which provides lightning-fast gear changes and seamless power delivery.

The Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT’s suspension is well-tuned, offering minimal body roll and agile handling. The steering is precise and communicative, allowing the driver to feel connected to the road. The car remains stable at high speeds, inspiring confidence in the driver.

In terms of aesthetics, the Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT boasts an aggressive and sporty design. The glossy paint finish, bold body lines, and sculpted surfaces add to its visual appeal. The 16-inch alloy wheels complement the car’s performance capabilities and enhance its overall look.

The Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT also comes equipped with features that performance enthusiasts appreciate. It offers a premium Bose audio system, a large touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, and voice-activated controls. The wireless charging and multiple USB ports add to the convenience factor.

Other notable features include ventilated seats, automatic climate control, and a sunroof, providing a comfortable and premium driving experience.

Safety is not compromised, with the Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT offering 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, and a 5-star GNCAP rating, ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.

Overall, the Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT’s combination of powerful performance, agile handling, sporty design, and advanced features make it the top choice for performance enthusiasts.

The Top 3 choices

1. Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT
2. Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI Style Matte DSG
3. Honda City ZX CVT

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT takes the top spot with its powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, delivering 157.57 BHP and 253 Nm of torque. The quick-shifting 7-speed DCT transmission ensures fast and smooth gear changes, enhancing the driving experience. The Verna’s well-tuned suspension minimizes body roll and provides agile handling, making it a joy to drive on winding roads.
• The Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI Style Matte DSG comes in second, offering a 1.5-liter TSI engine that produces 147.51 BHP and 250 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission. The Slavia’s precise steering, minimal body roll, and agile handling make it an excellent choice for performance enthusiasts. The Style Matte variant also offers premium features like ventilated seats and a sunroof, adding to the overall driving experience.
• The Honda City ZX CVT secures the third position, with its 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine delivering 119.35 BHP and 145 Nm of torque. Although not as powerful as the Verna and Slavia, the City’s responsive CVT transmission and agile handling make it an enjoyable car to drive. The ZX CVT variant comes equipped with features like cruise control, a sunroof, and a touchscreen infotainment system, enhancing the overall package.

The Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT excels in terms of power, performance, and sporty design. The Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI Style Matte DSG offers a balance of performance, premium features, and driving dynamics. The Honda City ZX CVT provides a refined and enjoyable driving experience, albeit with less power compared to the other two. 

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

The post Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Skoda Slavia: Best Top-end Variant for Performance Enthusiasts first appeared on Cartoq.

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