2023 C-Segment sedan showdown: Hyundai Verna, Honda City Facelift, and Volkswagen Virtus go head-to-head for supremacy

The Indian market welcomes the all-new Hyundai Verna with its radical design and segment-first features, intensifying the competition in the midsize sedan segment. The Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus face a tough competitors.

Midsize sedans faced low demand as more people preferred compact SUVs, but with the launch of the Volkswagen Virtus and facelifted Honda City in 2022, the sedan segment has revived. The arrival of Verna has further intensified the competition.

Which looks better?

The all-new Hyundai Verna takes a radical approach to design with an aggressive and futuristic front fascia and dramatic LED connecting bar between tail lamps. This sets it apart from the simpler designs of the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus.

The top-spec SX(O) version of the Hyundai Verna features a horizontally-stretched bar, 16-inch machined alloy wheels, and all-LED headlamps and tail lamps. Similarly, the top-spec Honda City ZX and Volkswagen Virtus Topline offer all-LED illumination and machined alloy wheels. However, the Virtus Topline uses halogen fog lamps instead of LED.

Which gets better features?

The new Hyundai Verna SX(O) boasts a futuristic cabin with a fully-digital instrument console and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system in a horizontal layout. In comparison, the Honda City ZX and Volkswagen Virtus Topline have subtler cabin designs with 8-inch and 10.1-inch touchscreens, respectively. The Virtus Topline also features a 7-inch TFT instrument console.

The Verna SX(O) offers segment-first features such as heated front seats, touch-controlled panels for auto AC and infotainment, and an electronic parking brake. Its segment-best features include a 7-speaker BOSE audio system and voice commands. However, the City ZX lacks ventilated front seats and a wireless charger, unlike the other cars in the comparison.

All three cars come equipped with a push start-stop button, auto AC, leather upholstery, cruise control, rear AC vents, sunroof, tilt and telescopic multi-functional steering, six airbags, hill start assist, and ESC. The Verna SX(O) stands out with front parking sensors, while the Virtus lacks ADAS features.

Active Safety

Besides passive safety measures, both the Honda City and Hyundai Verna come with ADAS. Hyundai employs a radar and camera module, while Honda uses a camera-based ADAS. Both offer similar ADAS features, but the City stands out with high beam assist. Meanwhile, the Verna offers a safe exit, rear cross-traffic alert, and a total of 17 ADAS features.

Engine comparison

All three cars are petrol-only with the Virtus lacking a naturally aspirated petrol engine and a CVT gearbox. The Verna SX(O) and City ZX have 1.5L 115 PS and 1.5L 121 PS engines, respectively, with 6-speed manual and CVT gearbox options. In contrast, the Virtus has a 1.0L 115 PS turbo-petrol engine with a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Moving on to the engine options, only the Honda City ZX offers a petrol-hybrid option that combines a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a battery, and an electric motor to achieve the best fuel efficiency in its class. On the other hand, both the Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Virtus offer performance-oriented turbo-petrol engines. The Verna SX(O) Turbo is equipped with a 1.5-liter 160 PS turbo-petrol engine that comes with a 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT gearbox, while the Virtus GT features a 1.5-liter 150 PS turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox.

Conclusion

When it comes to looks, opinions may vary, but the Honda City stands out as the most elegant car in its segment. The Hyundai Verna, with its bold and aggressive design, is sure to catch a lot of attention on the road. The Volkswagen Virtus is also stylish, albeit with a high ground clearance. Inside, the Hyundai Verna boasts the most futuristic cabin with dual screens, while the Honda City maintains a classic design with premium touches. The Virtus dashboard looks youthful, but not as futuristic as the Verna.

In terms of features and standard safety equipment, the 2023 all-new Hyundai Verna leads the pack with six airbags, although none of these cars have been tested by Global NCAP yet. Additionally, the Hyundai Verna turbo offers impressive speed.

On paper, the Hyundai Verna comes out on top in this comparison, offering more features, space, power, and an outstanding design. We look forward to test-driving the car and sharing our thoughts on its performance.