In the recent time Indian car market witnessed the arrival some new and facelifted sedans like Maruti Ciaz, Volkswagen new Vento and Chevrolet Sail sedan. This segment is probably the most congested and competitive one, in which there are more than half a dozen cars fighting for a top spot. Honda city is a benchmark setter in this segment due to its overall performance, long list of features and its design. Newbie from Maruti has already made its presence by crossing 50,000 sales marks in just eight months. We are here to compare Volkswagen new Vento which recently got another update within eight months of its last update. It will be pitting against the segment dominator Honda City. Honda cars India is one of the most popular and trusted brand in India though same can be said for Volkswagen as well but with minor niggles such as after sales service.
Volkswagen Vento has been in the Indian market since 2010 and got updates at regular intervals. From the launch of IPL edition in 2011 to the DSG gearbox in 2014, Vento has not able to grab the top spot.
The USP of Vento has never been its design or the cabin; but its real power is in the engine and driving dynamics. The introduction of an automatic transmission takes it to the elite club of Hyundai Verna and Honda City. So without wasting much time let’s head towards the comparison of New Vento and Honda City 2014.
Price:
The price tag of VW new Vento is 7.85-11.87 lakhs while the Honda City will cost at 7.53-11.83 lakhs. Initial price of Volkswagen new Vento is on higher side while the top variant of City is bit affordable than new Vento but one can afford that much overpricing if there is Volkswagen’s name associated with it.
Engine details:
The new VW Vento diesel continues to be powered by the same 1.6liter, in-line 4-cylinder, DOHC diesel engine that produces 103bhp and 250 Nm of max output and mated with 7-speed dual shift automatic transmission gearbox. While the City diesel has 1.5 liter, i-DTEC Earth Dreams engine which develops the max power of 99bhp and peak torque of 200Nm along with the 6-speed manual transmission gearbox like Amaze. Honda City is also equipped with an automatic transmission with power and torque of 99bhp and 200Nm torque.
On the contrary, the petrol unit of new Vento is now a subdivided– one is armed with 1.6 L DOHC petrol engine produces 103bhp and 153Nm of max output mated to a five speed manual transmission and another is featuring with 1.2L TSI engine with same amount of power but higher torque of 175Nm and more importantly it is now coupled to a 7 Speed DSG automatic transmission.
While the Honda City petrol is adorned with 1497cc, 1.5 liter petrol engine churning peak power and torque of 117bhp and 145Nm, respectively.
While the offered ARAI certified mileage of New Vento is now much improved one with 21.50 km/l in (diesel) and 16.09-18.19 km/l (petrol). On the other hand, City’s mileage figures are better in diesel with 26.0 km/l and almost identical to Vento in petrol with 17.4 km/l of ARAI certified mileage.
Space & Dimension:
The new VW Vento is 4390mm in length, 1699mm in width and 1467mm in height with the wheelbase of 2553mm, ground clearance of 163mm. On the contrary, the 2014 City has gained a little height and has a slightly longer wheelbase. The measurement of city stands at 4440mm in length, 1695mm in width & 1495mm in height and carries the wheelbase and ground clearance of 2600mm and 165mm, respectively.
Interior & Exterior:
At inside, the new City is adorned with the entire necessary features and justifies it has been called one of the most feature rich car in the segment. As Honda is known for its luxury features and premium quality material, it all clearly can be shown in its interior. The company has added many new and luxury features to the new model such as a classy dashboard in black containing touchscreen unit which supports bluetooth, USB, Aux-in, iPod connectivity, CD, reversing displays of three various-types etc, instrument cluster finished with blue lighting, engine start/stop button, AC controls, cruise control, rear AC vents, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, four 12V charging points and many more which makes it far more feature rich car as compared to new Vento.
On the contrary, same cannot be said for new Volkswagen Vento, as it somehow lacks in premium features availability. Despite of new update, Vento still uses the same old fashioned audio system, no reverse camera and central console look too boring for a premium sedan.
While at outside, the all new Honda City remains same like its predecessor and minor changes have been done including sunroof, renovated bumpers, headlamps, chrome grille at front, refined tail lamps, shark-fin antenna, reverse camera at rear bottom (under the H badge) etc.
Similarly, the new Vento carries an attractive glimpse, a well built body and eye catching styling and received some decent updates such as three slat chrome grille, double barrel headlamps with blackened effect, new Bonnet with sloping lines, redesigned front bumper with integrated fog lamps that now houses cornering function. Coming to the sides, new Vento now gets OVRMs with LED blinkers, new alloy wheels, chrome touch on door handles. Rear profile now has revised tail lights with LED effect, chrome treatment on the boot lid and chrome tip muffler
Still, Honda city’s design is more eye-soothing than new Vento which looks simpler as compared to new City.
Road handling and safety:
Performance wise New Vento, its diesel version is just stunning and it would be difficult for the City diesel to beat it. The new Vento with same diesel engine provides a balanced ride and handling with its refined engine performance, torque availability and suspension set up.
The Honda City petrol, which is one of the best sedans in India and people loved to drive it. Also, the petrol Version City has lost some weight and become lighter than its predecessor and hence offers more impressive cornering abilities. Honda has claimed that this new City diesel will be one of the most fuel efficient cars of India with mileage of 26KPL in comparison to Vento’s 21.50 KPL.
Verdict:
Both the cars have robust built quality, carries reputed brand name and luxury features (here Honda city takes away the cake though); hence the only thing which makes a real difference and tell us the better car among the two is their performance on road.
Though, it would be hard to predict a clear winner, while Honda city takes away the cherry with its design and new Vento with its drivability. Both the cars are good in its own way, if someone is a diehard fan of only road performance but can compromise or can settle with neat and simple looks than new Vento is best for him but if one wants modernistic styling with fine performance and premium goodies than City is really hard to ignore.
