Introduction
If you've ever considered a midsized sedan, chances are the Honda City has crossed your path. A stalwart in the segment for over 20 years, the City has set the standard for what a midsize sedan should be. However, a new contender, the Skoda Slavia, has entered the ring, aiming to challenge the City's dominance. While the City boasts a rich history, the Slavia is not an underdog, hailing from a brand with a heritage of crafting desirable sedans.
Before diving into the comparison, it's essential to note the versions under consideration. In this face-off, we're pitting the petrol-only Skavia 1.0 TSI AT Style against the City petrol CVT, specifically its nearest counterpart in powertrain and price, the 1.5 i-VTEC CVT ZX.
Technical Details
Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI AT Style
- Dimensions: 4541/1752/1507mm (L/W/H)
- Wheelbase: 2651mm
- Engine: 3cyl, 999cc, turbo-petrol
- Power: 115hp at 5000-5500rpm
- Torque: 178Nm at 1750-4500rpm
- Gearbox: 6-speed auto
- Kerb Weight: 1240kg
- Ground Clearance (unladen): 179mm
- Boot Capacity: 521 litres
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 litres
- Tyres: 205/55 R16
Honda City 1.5 i-VTEC CVT ZX
- Dimensions: 4549/1748/1489mm (L/W/H)
- Wheelbase: 2600mm
- Engine: 4cyl, 1498cc, petrol
- Power: 121hp at 6600rpm
- Torque: 145Nm at 4300rpm
- Gearbox: 7-step CVT
- Kerb Weight: 1153kg
- Ground Clearance (unladen): 165mm
- Boot Capacity: 506 litres
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 litres
- Tyres: 185/55 R16
Design and Dimensions
Both the Skoda Slavia and Honda City present a near-identical size, delivering that sought-after 'big car' feel associated with midsized sedans. The Slavia, with its chiseled appearance, exudes a fresher and more appealing look. The City while maintaining a classic shape features subtle design elements at the grille and lights establishing its premium identity. However, the City's undernourished 185 section tires might detract from its overall stance.
When it comes to luggage room, both models excel, with the City offering 506 liters and the Slavia boasting a slightly larger 521-litre boot. The Slavia's additional space provides flexibility for accommodating long or awkwardly shaped items, thanks to its 60:40 split-folding rear seat backrest.
Interior Comfort and Features
The Skoda Slavia and Honda City each bring unique highlights to their interiors and the Slavia's interior has a sophisticated yet elegant dashboard, a two-spoke steering wheel, and a deliberate selection of materials and textures that give off a hint of European design. The huge 10-inch touchscreen, touch-activated AC controls, and digital instrumentation are some of the features that add to the contemporary design. The Slavia also offers ventilated front seats for added comfort.
On the other hand, the City's front seats showcase sumptuous comfort with excellent cushioning, a well-positioned driving seat, and great all-round visibility. The City's interior, while premium-looking, features a mix of soft materials and hard plastics. The rear seat of the City stands out with its generous space, airy ambiance, and plush comfort. However, the Slavia holds its ground with nicely cushioned rear seats, good thigh and back support, and marginally more headroom.
In terms of features, both models come generously equipped with airbags, ESC, traction control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, LED headlamps, touchscreen infotainment systems, and more. In addition to these practical features, the Slavia has a larger, brighter touchscreen, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, ventilated front seats, and wireless phone charging.
Performance
Performance-wise the City exhibits a more agile drivetrain that is especially well-suited for city driving. Its 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine with a 7-step CVT offers quick reactions to accelerator inputs, making it adept at city maneuvers. However, the CVT's rubber-band effect, noticeable during aggressive acceleration, may dampen the driving experience.
Contrastingly, the Skoda Slavia shines on open roads, thanks to its turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder TSI unit producing 115hp and 178Nm of torque. The Slavia's 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission facilitates quick shifts providing a more engaging driving experience. While the Slavia may exhibit some lag at very low rpm in city conditions, its mid-range power delivery offers a spirited performance. The Slavia offers a more connected driving experience because of its exceptional agility, self-assurance, and steering reactivity.
Ride and Handling
Both sedans offer commendable ride comfort, with the Slavia edging ahead in overall performance. The Slavia's suspension is quieter and better adept at smoothing out bumps providing a solid and composed feel even on challenging roads. The Slavia provides better noise insulation and stability at higher speeds. The City, while proficient, may feel clunky on rough surfaces and exhibits more road noise at moderate speeds.
The Slavia wins in terms of handling because it offers the best feeling of confidence, agility, and steering connectedness. Both cars perform well at lower speeds, with the Slavia's steering offering slightly easier maneuverability.
Price and Ownership Costs
In the pricing department, the Honda City holds an advantage, being more affordable than the Skoda Slavia. The City ZX variant comes in at Rs 14.98 lakh, while the fully loaded Skoda Slavia Style is priced at Rs 15.39 lakh.
When considering ownership costs the City proves to be more cost-effective. In fuel efficiency tests, the City outperformed the Slavia, delivering 12kpl in the city and 16.4kpl on the highway, compared to Slavia's 10.5kpl and 13.4kpl figures, respectively. Service cost estimators on the manufacturer's websites indicate that servicing the City CVT over five years will cost around Rs 28,500, while the Slavia 1.0 AT's service cost is estimated near Rs 40,000. It's essential to note the Slavia has a 15,000km service interval compared to the City's 10,000km interval.
Conclusion
In the battle of midsized sedans the Skoda Slavia and Honda City each bring their strengths to the table. With its agile engine, plush back seat, and affordable ownership the Honda City is a standout example of a prudent and safe investment and it is an automobile that provides a calm driving experience while adhering to practical issues.
On the other hand, the Skoda Slavia adds a touch of excitement to the segment. With its lively engine crisp handling, and modern features, the Slavia emerges as a more engaging and contemporary option. Because of its European design, smooth ride, and exceptional refinement the Slavia is a particularly attractive option for individuals looking for a sedan that goes above and beyond the norm.
In the end, the choice between the Honda City and Skoda Slavia depends on individual preferences and priorities. If you prioritize practicality, cost-efficiency, and a proven track record the Honda City is a reliable choice. However, if you seek a sedan that ignites passion, offers a spirited driving experience, and comes loaded with modern features, the Skoda Slavia takes the lead with its punchier and more exciting demeanor.