The competition in the mid-size sedan segment has heated up with the launch of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz hybrid. The Ciaz SHVS took the fuel efficiency parameters to a new level with 28.09kmpl. The fuel efficiency figure is good enough to draw customers to Maruti Suzuki.

However, the traditional rival in the segment, the Honda City, is not a vehicle to easily write off. Honda has sold over 5,180 units of the City in July 2015.

Let's check out the key specifications of both cars and see which one would be a better buy:

Engine Specifications

The Ciaz has a 1248cc, Multijet diesel engine, which develops 88.5bhp at 4,000rpm and 200Nm of torque starting from 1,750rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

On the other hand, the diesel variant of Honda City is powered by the higher capacity 1498cc i-DTEC engine that develops 98bhp at 3,600rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1,750rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Honda City has a clear lead here with power figure nearly 10bhp over the Ciaz. Additionally, the car comes with six-speed manual transmission while Ciaz has only five-speed manual transmission. Honda City wins in engine department.

Dimensions and weight

Both the cars have many design elements in common. Especially, the rear of both the car looks much similar. The Ciaz SHVS hybrid measures 4,490mm in length, 1,730mm in width and 1,485mm in height and comes seated on a wheelbase of 2,650mm. The Ciaz has a ground clearance 170mm and boot capacity of 510-litres. The vehicle comes with the kerb weight from 1115kg to 1,130kg depending on the model.

The Honda City on the other hand measures 4,440mm in length, 1,695mm in width and 1,495mm in height. It is compact than the Ciaz barring the height. The City has 2,600mm wheelbase and 165mm ground clearance, both are slightly less to the Ciaz SHVS diesel. The City weighs from 1,125kg to 1,165, which makes it heavier than Ciaz. The Honda sedan also has 510-litre boot capacity.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency is where the Ciaz shines with the claimed 28.09kmpl. This also means Ciaz marks the segment leading fuel efficiency. The higher fuel efficiency is achieved with the newly-introduced start-stop technology that uses an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).

The system functions as a battery charger during braking and acts as the starter motor when the stop-start technology is in use. Additionally, the Gear Shift indicator prompts the driver to change gears in right rpm that will also help to extract maximum fuel efficiency.

The Honda City is not miles apart in fuel efficiency war. The City is still in the top five of the most fuel efficient vehicles in the country with 26kmpl even without the additional technologies.

However, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz makes more sense with environment friendly green technologies and better fuel efficiency.

Price

The Ciaz SHVS hybrid Diesel has been priced at Ex-Showroom, Delhi as following

Ciaz VDi – Rs 8.23 lakh

Ciaz VDi (O) – Rs 8.37 lakh

Ciaz VDi+ - Rs 8.81 lakh

Ciaz ZDi – Rs 9.52 lakh

Ciaz ZDi+ - Rs 10.17 lakh

The Honda City diesel prices (ex-Showroom, New Delhi)

City E Diesel – Rs 8.78 lakh

City S Diesel – Rs 9.44 lakh

City SV Diesel – Rs 9.94 lakh

City V Diesel – Rs 10.59 lakh

City VX Diesel – Rs 11.57 lakh

City VX(O) Diesel – Rs 11.87 lakh

Specifications Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS Diesel Honda City Diesel
Engine In line, 4-cyl 1248cc In line, 4 cyl, 1498cc
Power 88.5bhp @ 4000rpm 98bhp @ 3600rpm
Torque 200Nm @ 1750rpm 200Nm @ 1750rpm
Transmission 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Length x Width x Height(mm) 4490 x 1730 x 1485 4440 x 1695 x 1495
Wheelbase 2650mm 2600mm
Ground Clearance 170mm 165mm
Turning Radius 5.4 metre 5.3 metre
Boot capacity 510 litres 510 litres
Kerb weight 1115kg to 1130kg 1125kg to 1165kg
Tyre size 185/65 R15 / 195/55 R16 175/65 R15