Hyundai Verna outdoes Honda City in real-world petrol CVT mileage tests

The Hyundai Verna petrol-CVT delivers better real-world fuel efficiency and driving range than its long-time midsize sedan rival, the Honda City. Both cars use 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engines paired with CVT automatic gearboxes, producing close output figures. The Verna engine makes 115hp and 144Nm of torque from 1,497cc, while the City puts out 121hp and 145Nm from 1,498cc.

Pricing And Specs

The Verna holds a price advantage across its petrol-CVT lineup. Its starting price is Rs 13,000 lower than the City, and its top-end variant is Rs 23,000 cheaper, with total prices ranging from Rs 14.46 lakh to Rs 17.21 lakh for the Verna and Rs 14.59 lakh to Rs 17.44 lakh for the City. While the Verna carries a 45-litre fuel tank compared to the City's 40-litre tank, the Verna is also 56kg heavier at 1,224kg versus the City's 1,168kg kerb weight. The Verna has a higher claimed efficiency of 19.6kpl against the City's 17.97kpl.

Mileage Results

In real-world tests conducted in Eco mode for the Verna and ECON mode for the City, the Verna came out ahead. The Verna achieved 10.40kpl in the city and 17.40kpl on the highway, yielding an average of 14.15kpl and a total driving range of 636.75km. The City managed 10.10kpl in the city and 16.49kpl on the highway, giving an average of 13.30kpl and a range of 532km. The Verna owes its better highway numbers partly to its engine settling at a relaxed 1,900rpm at 100kph and a stop-start system that saves fuel in traffic. The City lacks a stop-start system, and its CVT raises engine speed with small throttle inputs to feel more responsive, which hurts its fuel economy.

Context

Real-world fuel efficiency tests often differ from official manufacturer claims because road conditions, traffic, and driving habits vary widely from standardized laboratory test cycles. Midsize sedans remain a popular choice for buyers looking for a balance of comfort, boot space, and long-distance driving capability on Indian roads.