Ciaz isn’t the first attempt of Maruti to invade the sedan segment. Prior, Baleno and SX4 were the failed initiatives. So, casing the car rightly and playing all the tweaks as per the trend is an only way out for this Indian carmaker of restoring faith.
Pitting Ciaz against the rivals like Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento, the mid-size Honda seemed doing better job than anyone else in terms of numbers. Albeit, the rest two aren’t lagging in their profiles either.
Numerous numbers of models available in the market made choices more complicated. Hence, it’s the only reason many model plates are escaladed from this compare. Those wiped out eligible candidates were Nissan Sunny facelift, New Ford Fiesta and Fiat Linea.
Engine
The Ciaz powered by a 1.4L petrol engine produces 91bhp and 130Nm of torque. The diesel stock is filled with a 1.3L Fiat Multijet of 89bhp and 200Nm. Both the machines are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the petrol buyers can also go for a 4-speed automatic if they wish so.
Honda City, one of the best selling cars of its time, is now re-launched in new avatar, this time the diesel engine option is also made available. Powering to the City comes from a 1.5L i-VTEC (petrol) and 1.5L i-DTEC (diesel) engines. Former option shells out 118bhp and 145Nm of torque, the latter one is of 98.63bhp and 200Nm torque. Five-speed manual is standard, whereas the CVT is only for gasoline buyers.
The Vento from Volkswagen lends two engine options of petrol; smaller 1.2L TSI turbocharged motor delivering 103.56bhp and 175Nm, whilst of the bigger 1598cc pounds out 103.56bhp with a comparatively lower 153Nm of torque. The TSI motor of 1.2L displacement gets a seven-speed DSG automatic; the bigger version drives only a five-speed manual transmission.
The German engineered sedan in diesel counts of a 1598cc engine refined the power delivery of 103.56bhp and 250Nm. A five-speed manual transmission is the only option aided.
Likewise Vento, Verna too holds couple of engine options for the petrol market. The machine boasted of 1396cc, successfully makes 105.53bhp and 135Nm of torque. The bigger one touted of 1591cc, generates 121.36bhp and 158Nm of torque. Apart from the 5-speed manual, the elder gets a 4-speed automatic.
On the diesel counter, Verna stands alone with two engine options. The 1396cc churning a goodness of 88.76bhp and 219Nm, whilst the bigger and boulder 1582cc mill rakes in 126.32bhp and 260Nm. A 6-speed manual is just an ordinary; the extra-ordinary here is the four-speed automatic which is a unique in the segment.
Dimensions
Dimensionally, the Ciaz is longest amongst all. Measuring 2650mm at the wheelbase, Maruti sedan is 50mm longer than the Honda City (of 2600mm wheelbase). The third position holder in this category is Hyundai Verna of 2570mm, while Vento is the last arrival at 2552mm. In the length, Ciaz too outshines the rest at 4490mm. Honda city follows the trail being 50mm shorter, Vento by 106mm and Verna by 120mm.
At wider side, the Maruti plugged at 1730mm in width, is 35mm more than the City, 31mm by Vento and 30mm than the Hyundai Verna. Heightened to 1485mm, Ciaz stands taller than Vento by 19mm and Verna by 10mm. Here, the City wins over by a mere margin of 10mm.
Overview
Maruti in the petrol trim is lowest on power and torque than the rest. Verna is the highest followed by Honda City. Vento must be applauded for delivering the so powerful output from a small displacement. Thanks to the turbocharger, otherwise that wouldn’t be possible for the German.
The Diesel side winners’ trophy too goes to Hyundai Verna, the second spot was taken over by VW Vento. The Ciaz and Verna’s smaller displacement occupies the last spot, while the Honda makes to third with a satisfactorily sinking number.
Hence, the Ciaz rocks all the aesthetic chart; but when it came to power it lost the game to others, nor even making a way to top in one of them either. The on-paper rivalry revealed a part of the moment of truth, but an actual test drive may spill out the beans in its favour that would change the game forever, apparently the country’s best fuel-economy delivered with refinement. The other aspect to it is also the pricing. So, let the guessing game be going on till it reaches a dead-end.
