New 2014 Honda City Diesel: how does it compare with the Hyundai Verna - Engines

If there’s one car that can give the new Honda City Diesel sleepless nights, it is the Hyundai Verna. The Verna is the current segment leader with its diesel engine portfolio commanding the lion’s share. But, it hasn’t had it easy; it has had to contend with the likes of the Nissan Sunny and the Volkswagen Vento. The question is – can the new Honda City Diesel beat the Verna at its own game?

The engines

Both the new Honda City Diesel and the Hyundai Verna come with four cylinder diesel engines. The new Honda City Diesel’s engine displaces a little less and as a result, it is also less powerful. The Honda City Diesel makes 100PS of max power while the Hyundai’s output stands at 128PS. The peak torque rating for the Honda City Diesel at 200Nm is lower too.

Moreover, the Honda’s 1.5-litre diesel isn’t as refined as Hyundai’s 1.6-litre unit. The latter is also quieter. Now, Honda has improved the sound deadening on the new City Diesel compared to the Amaze which runs the same engine, and on the move, the engine noise is less pronounced inside the cabin of the new Honda City Diesel. But, compared to the Verna, it is still pretty audible. 

The Verna’s diesel engine is also more refined. It is more eager to pile on the revs, and in a straight line drag, it clearly has the legs over the new Honda City Diesel. Not only will the Hyundai clock a quicker 0-60kmph and 0-100kmph time, it will also register a higher top speed. And we expect the driveability through the gears – given the higher torque output of the Hyundai engine – to be better on the Verna as well. If it’s a punchy diesel you are looking for, the Hyundai makes more sense.

Fuel Economy

This difference in performance isn’t as telling within the city though. But what is, is the difference in fuel economies of the two diesel sedans. Now, Honda could have increased the power and torque output of its 1.5-litre diesel engine without even going for a variable geometry turbo by simply tweaking the ECU, but it decided against it; for Honda fuel economy was paramount.

And, it shows in the ARAI figures of the two cars. The new Honda City Diesel has an ARAI figure of 26kmpl which is the highest for any passenger car in the country currently. The Hyundai Verna diesel, on the other hand, returns 23.5kmpl according to ARAI. So, clearly, for the economy conscious, there really isn’t a better choice than the new Honda City Diesel in its class.