paul
12-22-2008, 10:06 AM
The previous generation Honda City was the benchmark of sorts in the mid-sized sedan segment. And, rightly so as it offered class¬leading fuel efficiency, good room for passengers, luggage space and was well built too.
Naturally, we expect the new Japanese sedan to move the goal post further still. And, just to see how much of an improvement the new Honda really is have brought along three cars ¬the Hyundai Verna, the Maruti Suzuki SX4 and the Chevrolet Optra. All three cost nearly the same; well the Optra's listed price is over a lakh more than the City.
But the key here is beating the SX4. Last time the City VTEC and SX4 met on the AUTOBILD INDIA's test ground the former lost out by a slim margin. Now the City, in its new avtar, seems better prepared.
City is good looking but interiors need a relook
The older City or the ZX, for all its attributes, was not really a looker. The new one though, is. Like the Civic, it is sharp and contemporary. It looks like an athlete - taut and ready to race. The front in particular looks very racy but the same cannot be said about the Vema though - it's more rounded and has average looks at best. The Optra is more stylish and comes across as the most upmarket of the lot. While the SX4, like the Swift, is a bit of an oddball.
Inside, the Chevrolet continues to exude its rich appeal. It is the only car here to get soft grain plastic and its fit and finish and quality all round is top class. The Verna, though well put together, is a plain Jane. The Hyundai's highpoint though is the all round visibility it offers, which is best in its segment.
The SX4, like the Optra and Verna, offers quality feel and the plastics don't look cheap and the various knobs, buttons and dials function well. It's also the best equipped car as it comes with leather seats, climate control and steering mounted controls for the stereo.
The City, however, fails to impress on the inside. It does sport the most attractive looking clocks in this bUI).ch - these are easy to read and offer averqge and instantaneous fuel consumption readouts. But on the equipment front, it only boasts of a multifunc¬tional steering, decent assortment of cup holders and cubby holes that add to convenience. It does get an armrest with some stor¬age underneath. The sore point is that the new City does not get leather seats, climate control or even alloy wheels.
Moreover, the plastics on the inside look and feel tacky and have rough edges at various plac-' es. These feel flimsy as well. The fit and finish too is far from good for a car in this segment.
However, the Honda does match the SX4 on the safety front sporting ABS and dual airbags. The Verna only offers ABS that too as an option while the Optra lacks of both.
101
Honda gets enthusiast focus
The biggest change in the new City, compared to its predecessor, is the car's handling and steering feel. It's more stable in a straight line and the light steering wheel weighs up well as the speed builds up. Around corners, unlike the old car which was twitchy and loved to oversteer, this one feels more planted, predictable and better balanced. Body control is well administrated and the steering now ismore responsive while retaining its crispness.
The ride could have been better though. Its non-intrusive, but hit a largish or a sharp bump and the vibrations thud through into the cabin. The City also tends to lose improve things, nonetheless.
As for the competition, the Optta and Verna ride beautifully, the Hyundai more so. But then, it rolls and understeers excessively, something even its positive and well balanced steering ride and handling. It has a dead steering, but it makes for an entertaining car to drive on the twisties, has good straight line stability, and as we mentioned earlier, rides almost flawlessly.
But, neither of the cars can match the alertness and execu¬tion of the Honda. Not even the SX4 which does come close and betters the remaining two. The Suzuki does ride better than the City though. And the peace of mind the car's huge ground clearance provides cannot be discounted.
City also the quickest
Also, something one can't discount is the City's performance. It uses the smallest engine in this test, but packs in most horses. It produces over lObhp more than the oth¬ers. Yes, it's not the most refined but it is eager and easy rev¬ving. It does sound a bit coarse when pushed to the limit and one can also feel the vibrations coming in via the floorboard, but for the punch it packs in, one doesn't really mind. The gearbox like the older city is superb to use - short throw, precise and light to use. The clutch is fairly light to operate as well, and adding further to the car's city sociability is its driveability, which again is the best in this test.
The Optra trails in this re¬gard, mainly on account of a poor gearbox. It posts the slowest roll on times, and by a huge margin. It is also the slowest accelerating car. This one, with its rear seat comfort and no real driver focus is best left to the chauffeur.
Meanwhile, has the best engine here, even though it's not as powerful, it's still something you will appreciate. Like the Honda, the Hyundai too revs quite freely and feels more refined at the limit.
The SX4, though, does not. Half way through the rev band and you can tell your driving style is not being appreciated under the hood.
The Suzuki is also not as quick as the Honda. As a saving grace, it does get an enjoyable gearbox which is nice to use as the gears click into place.
Naturally, we expect the new Japanese sedan to move the goal post further still. And, just to see how much of an improvement the new Honda really is have brought along three cars ¬the Hyundai Verna, the Maruti Suzuki SX4 and the Chevrolet Optra. All three cost nearly the same; well the Optra's listed price is over a lakh more than the City.
But the key here is beating the SX4. Last time the City VTEC and SX4 met on the AUTOBILD INDIA's test ground the former lost out by a slim margin. Now the City, in its new avtar, seems better prepared.
City is good looking but interiors need a relook
The older City or the ZX, for all its attributes, was not really a looker. The new one though, is. Like the Civic, it is sharp and contemporary. It looks like an athlete - taut and ready to race. The front in particular looks very racy but the same cannot be said about the Vema though - it's more rounded and has average looks at best. The Optra is more stylish and comes across as the most upmarket of the lot. While the SX4, like the Swift, is a bit of an oddball.
Inside, the Chevrolet continues to exude its rich appeal. It is the only car here to get soft grain plastic and its fit and finish and quality all round is top class. The Verna, though well put together, is a plain Jane. The Hyundai's highpoint though is the all round visibility it offers, which is best in its segment.
The SX4, like the Optra and Verna, offers quality feel and the plastics don't look cheap and the various knobs, buttons and dials function well. It's also the best equipped car as it comes with leather seats, climate control and steering mounted controls for the stereo.
The City, however, fails to impress on the inside. It does sport the most attractive looking clocks in this bUI).ch - these are easy to read and offer averqge and instantaneous fuel consumption readouts. But on the equipment front, it only boasts of a multifunc¬tional steering, decent assortment of cup holders and cubby holes that add to convenience. It does get an armrest with some stor¬age underneath. The sore point is that the new City does not get leather seats, climate control or even alloy wheels.
Moreover, the plastics on the inside look and feel tacky and have rough edges at various plac-' es. These feel flimsy as well. The fit and finish too is far from good for a car in this segment.
However, the Honda does match the SX4 on the safety front sporting ABS and dual airbags. The Verna only offers ABS that too as an option while the Optra lacks of both.
101
Honda gets enthusiast focus
The biggest change in the new City, compared to its predecessor, is the car's handling and steering feel. It's more stable in a straight line and the light steering wheel weighs up well as the speed builds up. Around corners, unlike the old car which was twitchy and loved to oversteer, this one feels more planted, predictable and better balanced. Body control is well administrated and the steering now ismore responsive while retaining its crispness.
The ride could have been better though. Its non-intrusive, but hit a largish or a sharp bump and the vibrations thud through into the cabin. The City also tends to lose improve things, nonetheless.
As for the competition, the Optta and Verna ride beautifully, the Hyundai more so. But then, it rolls and understeers excessively, something even its positive and well balanced steering ride and handling. It has a dead steering, but it makes for an entertaining car to drive on the twisties, has good straight line stability, and as we mentioned earlier, rides almost flawlessly.
But, neither of the cars can match the alertness and execu¬tion of the Honda. Not even the SX4 which does come close and betters the remaining two. The Suzuki does ride better than the City though. And the peace of mind the car's huge ground clearance provides cannot be discounted.
City also the quickest
Also, something one can't discount is the City's performance. It uses the smallest engine in this test, but packs in most horses. It produces over lObhp more than the oth¬ers. Yes, it's not the most refined but it is eager and easy rev¬ving. It does sound a bit coarse when pushed to the limit and one can also feel the vibrations coming in via the floorboard, but for the punch it packs in, one doesn't really mind. The gearbox like the older city is superb to use - short throw, precise and light to use. The clutch is fairly light to operate as well, and adding further to the car's city sociability is its driveability, which again is the best in this test.
The Optra trails in this re¬gard, mainly on account of a poor gearbox. It posts the slowest roll on times, and by a huge margin. It is also the slowest accelerating car. This one, with its rear seat comfort and no real driver focus is best left to the chauffeur.
Meanwhile, has the best engine here, even though it's not as powerful, it's still something you will appreciate. Like the Honda, the Hyundai too revs quite freely and feels more refined at the limit.
The SX4, though, does not. Half way through the rev band and you can tell your driving style is not being appreciated under the hood.
The Suzuki is also not as quick as the Honda. As a saving grace, it does get an enjoyable gearbox which is nice to use as the gears click into place.