The premium
mid-size sedan segment already has a lot of great choices. But with the
Fiesta upgraded with an automatic gearbox, the competition gets even
more interesting
The new automatic Fiesta
may come touting a lot of features and a segment-first dual clutch
gearbox, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have to contend with some
great cars which make for some tough rivals. Some of these have been
around for a while, while others are fairly fresh. But what might swing
the vote in the favour of this new auto box sedan is the fantastic
handling package it offers, making it the perfect enthusiasts’ car and some pretty decent pricing, at least on the entry-level trim. Here’s a look at how all the automatics stack up.
Honda City
Undoubtedly the Honda City has been the long standing king of this
class, and a very aspirational car for most Indians. Even though it got
attacked by the likes of the highly capable Volkswagen Vento and the well-endowed Hyundai Fluidic
Verna, it still remains one of the most preferred buys in this segment.
The powerful iVTEC engine is a gem in terms of tractability and
refinement, and when coupled with the brilliant 5-speed automatic
transmission, the results are even better.
Where the City
takes a bit of a hit is the pricing, which at Rs 9.37 lakh for the
non-sunroof version is a little on the steeper side, especially when you
consider that it doesn’t offer as many toys as its competition. But you
do get paddle shifters on the steering wheel so you can decide just how
sportily, or economically, you want to drive. You also get good build
quality and brilliant fit and finish all around. The City is light and
nimble around town while the Fiesta exhibits better driving feel than
one of Honda’s four proud pillars.
Price: Rs 9.37 lakh (City V AT) / Rs 10.22 lakh (City V AT Sunroof) – ex-showroom Delhi
Volkswagen Vento
Internationally, the Polo and the Fiesta are staunch rivals,
especially in the European hatchback segment, and of course, their sedan
counterparts which are made for India carry on that fight here as well.
The Vento does feel like it wears the boot better than the Fiesta and even in
terms of its interiors, offers more elegant surroundings. Driving feel
is more solid from the Vento of course, though the Fiesta does edge over
it in terms of steering feedback. But while it would be easier to
favour the Vento in the manual transmission version, the argument might
just sway a bit in favour of the Fiesta when you consider the auto
boxes. The 6-speed unit in the Vento feels a little dated compared to
the Fiesta’s new dual-clutch system, and the shift times tell this tale
very well.
Price: Rs 9.21 lakh (Vento 1.6L Highline AT) - (ex-showroom Delhi)
Hyundai Fluidic Verna
The new Fluidic Verna is a pretty hard car to beat when it comes to
being a feature rich offering. It offers brilliant design and classy
interiors as well, and really holds its own over the Fiesta in this
regard. The new Verna
qualifies itself as a better city car though, with an easy steering and
comfort-oriented suspension. The Fiesta on the other hand remains the
choice for the enthusiast amongst the two, with better steering feel and
a great balance between ride quality and handling. With regards to the
automatic gearbox variants, they’re quite evenly matched in terms of
feel, but the Verna does end up being rather greedy in its thirst for
petrol. It’s also the most expensive automatic car in this lot, but you
do get a lot of toys for your money’s worth. The true trump card that
the Verna holds in this lot though is that is the only car here that
offers the automatic gearbox mated to a diesel engine, which though even
more expensive, should swing a lot of votes its way in this day and age
rising fuel prices.
Price: Rs 9.73 lakh (Verna 1.6 SX (O) VTVT AT) / Rs 11 lakh (Verna 1.6 SX (O) CRDi VGT AT) - ex-showroom Delhi
Maruti Suzuki SX4
The SX4 is the least expensive automatic gearbox car in this lot, and
that itself says a lot. To top it off, when you combine that with the
faith that buyers in the Maruti Suzuki brand, it is easy to see how this
car can hold its own. It is a competent product too, with a uniquely
muscular design and appeal. But, compared to the Fiesta, it lacks a
solid feel behind the steering and a design that has begun to look
somewhat dated. The ride quality is plusher but big body roll into
corners makes it a handful while driving fast. The Fiesta on the other
will sail through most corners and bumps at pace. What works in favour
of the SX4
is the slightly tall-boy design which gives it plenty of headroom and
makes ingress and egress from the car an absolute breeze.
Price: Rs 8.50 (SX4 AT) / Rs 8.84 lakh (SX4 AT Leather) - ex-showroom Delhi
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