Does the brand new Verna have what it takes to dethrone the formidable Honda Metropolis and rule the phase?
The Honda Metropolis and Hyundai Verna are the oldest, longest working nameplates within the midsize sedan phase, and by the way, they’re additionally the bestselling midsize sedans. Now in 2023, their rivalry will get fiercer as they battle for a bigger slice of the gross sales pie of their new avatars. Honda has freshened the Metropolis’s outlook with a minor makeover and a few new options, though it continues with a 1.5 petrol engine with a guide or computerized transmission, and a 1.5 hybrid powertrain.
Hyundai has launched an all-new technology of the Verna, so expectedly, it’s bigger, higher outfitted and extra fashionable than the automobile it replaces; and it’s provided with a 1.5 petrol or a robust 1.5 turbo-petrol engine, with guide and computerized transmissions. We pit the petrol-automatic iteration of the Verna in opposition to its oldest rival, the Honda Metropolis, to search out out whether or not it has what it takes to dethrone the latter and rule the phase.
Hyundai Verna vs Honda Metropolis: exterior
Prefer it or detest it, the Verna’s radical styling is eye-catching, with its daring, ‘in-your-face’ LED lights on the entrance and rear. A sloping roofline with a fastback-like silhouette and sharp cuts on its physique work definitely add a number of character to its design. Having grown in measurement, it’s now wider than the Honda Metropolis and has an extended wheelbase too.
Metropolis is longer and taller, whereas the Verna is wider and has an extended wheelbase.
The Honda Metropolis is longer general and taller than the Verna, and its elegant design is more likely to have a extra common enchantment. Though styling tweaks are minor, the facelift will get aggressively sculpted bumpers and a lip spoiler, lending a sportier contact.
Hyundai Verna vs Honda Metropolis: inside and options
The Verna’s interiors exude a techy vibe on account of its twin-screen set-up – one for the instrument cluster and the opposite for the infotainment system. The ivory colored upholstery seems interesting and even the addition of ambient lighting in addition to a nifty touch-operable local weather management console – which on the contact of a button doubles-up to a shortcut menu for the infotainment system – makes the Verna really feel up-to-speed with the occasions.
Metropolis’s backseat is extra spacious and comfier, and stays the one to beat.
The entrance seats pamper you with air flow and heating perform; and the motive force’s seat is part-electrically operable, making it a pleasant place to be in. House on the again is big and it even matches the Metropolis when it comes to headroom and width. Not can the Verna’s rear seat expertise be described ‘cramped’ like the sooner generations; in actual fact, it’s removed from it. The seat itself is sort of supportive, and feels fairly comfy to be in. The cabin is properly thought out with ample storage areas and charging provisions, and impressively, its boot is a bit bigger and has a wider opening as properly than the Honda.
Verna’s rear seat is far more spacious than ever earlier than, and feels vivid and ethereal.
Compared, the Honda’s cabin design seems slightly mundane, significantly as a result of dated 8-inch touchscreen. Not like the Verna, there isn’t a display for the instrument cluster, however a part-digital analogue-themed dials. This seems comparatively old fashioned, to make sure, however the execution is excellent. It additionally will get a conventional local weather management console with knobs and buttons, however these really feel prime quality and function with a really satisfying ‘click on’.
Honda’s touchscreen feels too primary and oldschool on this comparability.
The cabin’s large greenhouse space makes it really feel brighter and airier, and enhances the sense of area. Then there are its seats, that are so properly sculpted and cushioned that they’re comfier to be in, nonetheless, seat air flow perform is sorely missed. Its rear seat stays a benchmark, and with a barely angled ground, ample foot area for the center passenger, and three non-adjustable (however tall) headrests, it stays the one to beat when it comes to consolation. Not all is ideal although; the rear centre armrest feels flimsy, there are not any USB charging ports on the rear just like the Verna (as a substitute Honda supplies 12V sockets), and its boot is a bit smaller too.
Verna’s techy infotainment display is intuitive and feels nice to make use of.
Each automobiles are outfitted with camera-based autonomous driving help methods (ADAS), which add a better diploma of security whereas on the street with options like emergency braking, ahead collision warning, lane holding help/lane departure warning and blind spot monitor, to call a couple of. The Verna recognized lane markings higher for the lane help perform, whereas the Metropolis carried out erratically. What the Metropolis additionally packs are adaptive cruise management and main car departure alert, which can be found solely with the turbo model of the Verna that will get the costlier, radar-based ADAS.
Hyundai Verna vs Honda Metropolis: engine, gearbox
These automobiles are powered by 1.5-litre petrol engines mated to repeatedly variable transmissions (CVTs). Nevertheless, the distinction between the best way they carry out is evening and day. On this contest, the Verna’s engine feels quieter and extra refined. It’s a clean powertrain, which rewards an easy-going driving type, nonetheless, it’s fast to step out of its consolation zone once you demand extra out of it. On faucet responses are unhurried, and as you prod the accelerator additional, the transmission begins to point out its ‘typical CVT’ character, the place the car velocity and engine revs don’t really feel in sync, making the engine sound boomy within the course of. Like within the Metropolis, paddle shifters can be found, which provide higher engine braking, significantly helpful whereas going downhill. It additionally will get drive modes to sharpen the throttle responses in addition to add weight to the steering (artificially) in Sport mode for a extra spirited drive. Nevertheless, going by the character of this engine-transmission mixture, it’s best to dial all the way down to Eco mode, loosen up the steering, and luxuriate in its laidback character.
Its ADAS detected street markings higher for its lane help perform, whereas the Honda was a bit erratic.
With 121hp/145Nm, not solely is the Metropolis extra highly effective, however with a kerb weight of 1,153kg it is usually 55kg lighter than the Verna. This efficiency benefit is amplified on account of the Honda engine’s extra keen and responsive nature. To additional sharpen acceleration, the transmission additionally will get a Sport mode, however even in its normal setting, efficiency feels robust and gratifying, and this high-revving Honda retains pulling more durable because the engine spins sooner. The engine will get fairly vocal because the revs climb, and it isn’t as properly muted because the Verna.
Its 121hp petrol feels way more responsive, and efficiency is far stronger too.
In our checks, the Metropolis accelerates to 100kph from a standstill over 2 seconds faster than the Verna, and the hole widens additional thereon. Rolling accelerations from 20-80kph and 40-100kph additionally reveal related outcomes.
In its newest iteration, the Hyundai Verna’s dynamics have considerably improved in comparison with earlier generations, and driving manners are now not a deal breaker, even for driving fans. Nevertheless, the Honda Metropolis feels nicer to drive due to a extra direct steering, and a nicer suspension calibration. Its experience high quality can be way more compliant and absorbent than the Verna’s, which is suitable in isolation. The Verna, however, feels a bit stiffer and busier than the Metropolis.
Hyundai Verna vs Honda Metropolis: verdict
In its present avatar, the Hyundai Verna feels completely fashionable and is extra sensible than ever earlier than. Typical to a Hyundai, it’s bundled with a laundry checklist of options, and although the petrol-automatic’s ex-showroom costs of Rs 14.24 lakh-16.20 lakh makes it a bit pricier than the Metropolis (Rs 13.62 lakh-15.97 lakh), the Verna will get you higher bang to your buck.Â
The well-rounded Verna is a value-for-money sedan; whereas the Honda Metropolis is best to drive and be pushed in.
The Honda Metropolis, however, feels extra mundane and business-like in its strategy in comparison with the extroverted Verna, and its gear checklist isn’t as expansive both. However the Metropolis petrol-automatic is the bestseller within the vary for a purpose. Its engine efficiency is livelier, suspension is comfier and seats are plusher, so Honda has acquired its fundamentals spot on. And although the brand new Hyundai Verna, with its well-roundedness comes very shut, the Honda Metropolis nonetheless stays the higher automobile to drive and be pushed in.