When you are looking for a mid size car you have option of Honda City, Suzuki SX4, Maruti Esteem, Ford Fiesta & Hyundai Verna.I test drived all the cars & finally went for Verna. My requirements were Petrol car, Comfort in driving(Due to my height I need car with maximum height.) & ofcourse the cost.
Let me first compare with Honda City. Honda City is typical city car.I can say best for the city driving.People conside this car as most prestigious car in this segment. But specifications it lacks in many ways. Comparing the performance City has 78/550 PS/RPM compared to Verna’s 103.2/5500 so less of power. Wheelbase is less by 2%. Comparing the displacement Honda City is 1497CC while Verna is 1599CC. Third power performance comparison is by torque ratio, City’s is 12.7/2700(Kgm/RPM) while Verna has 14.9/3000.For highway driving City has less grip on road & ofcourse the power is less.I have also understood that maintenance is very high in City. Not to forget City is costlier by atleast 50000.
Second I compared with SX 4.I have already used Esteem & it was the best car ten years back but today Esteem is outdated & is very low in height. SX 4 was a new car so had very few reviews & I took test drive 3 times.Car is good but I found the seating comfort less in the back seat. The contour on the back side is so low that it hits the person seating on sides. Same front pillar on two sides of windscreen are too big which obstructs the full view.My personal view about the back suspension was also inferior. I found the interior inferior which does not give effect of luxury car.Its interiors can be compared with Swift or Zen. Technically SX4 & Verna are shoulder to shoulder so again my choice was Verna.
I didn’t try Ford’s Fiesta as I am not fan of US brand car so I have not even mentioned Aveo of GM. They have reverse buttons as the original cars are made for left hand drive. They also miss on finish part & maintenance.
Now after six months of my experience of Verna, my views; Verna is truly luxury car. In long run also it is very comfortable to drive.After 500Km of driving I was fresh. The handrest for driver is a good idea.Bottlehonders, pockets, other storage spaces are good & are always needed when you are on long drive. Car has very good grip on road, but I found power less when car is fully loaded & on very steep hill.I never expected this as has powerful engine. Fuel efficiency is ok around 13Km in city & 15Km on highways @ 100Km speed with full airconditioner on.
Overall the car is excellent & I am happy. I enjoy driving this car & don’t miss any features of other cars.It has everything what you need in a luxury car.