New SX4 Vs Honda City

I am not talking about HONDA or SUZUKI!

My intentions are very clear and check my posts,I have never ever compared the superiority level.

Neither do i go for VFM,In that case Nano would be perfect car for VFM.

Its all about striking a perfect balance between a genuinely priced vehicle and overall package that varies from individualistic approach.

In india 800 was a hit,not anymore.

People have become more concious to what they are buying.

Not everyone is lucky to own a SUV,no matter even if its the cheapest SUV at 20 lakhs.

And i still add in the end,SX4 is not just VFM vehicle.

It does more justice to its class where it stands,8 lakh rupee sedan which has much more in offering than any other player in its class.

Rather SX4 created a new segment with 8 lakh rupees worth spending on.[no "vfm"]

It would be unfair to compare the two at present-New Sx4 and ANHC.

ANHC being costly is with regards to 1.6 litre engine that they have in offering which even SX4 is offering since 2.5 yrs,the time when it was launched.

Its as good as saying HONDA JAZZ is a class apart vehicle but RITZ is a clear winner!

Are we forgetting something here?

Every segment overlaps a bit of the next by different manufacturer.

Then let it be Price,comfort,styling or looks.

But dont forget what power they have in their hood!

Ritz has more powerfull engine than JAZZ.

Irrespective of the vehicle make or class.

I must add here,i am not obsessed with SUZUKI for better VFM cars,But what they have in offer for people at large.

The heart to cater to needs of the masses,let it be anything-from cheaper to better.

The list is growing fast.

I get bugged up of hearing VFM VFM VFM VFM!

Comeon guys,What about performance!

Just because it has Maruti tag,doesnt mean it to be only VFM factor thats behind success of any of its model!

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

This thread is clearly about discussion between ANHC & SX4.So comparison between SUZUKI & HONDA do arise. When I say SX4 is VFM it is compared to ANHC.One can't judge in absolute terms . When we are talking about genuinely priced vehicle , what is it ? Who decides that ? Pricing of a car simply indicates that it worth that much only.So here one can't blame Honda or others for its pricing. Its about their belief & conviction for their cars. SX4 was a late entry in 8 lacs segment which was created by CITY.Yes it was offered with lots of features which were not present in CITY but Maruti had to do that to lure the customers.It clearly shows that who was/is leader. Simply power can not make successful car. What happened to Palio with 100 BHP ? Its about aspiration of a customer to move upward & here ANHC beats all although it doesn't offer much compare to others & also pricy .But it offers that intangible benefits & perceived value which no other can offer. Sales figure says all.

I agree that SX4 is a true VFM –

 

But in this top sedan segment, we need to give due importance to brand and engine refinement. You will agree to the fact that Honda’s have the quietest engine buy far.

 

The new SX4 comes with VVT to be able to get the best performance and fuel economy from the same engine. So this upgrade is with FE in mind and there isn't much change in the performance part of it.

 

One now needs to see weather new SX4 will beat City on fuel economy front! I have my own doubts about this.

If you care for brand name, ANHC. Otherwise, compare the cars. SX4 is about 2.5L cheaper that Honda City (in Bangalore OTR). SX4 has 205/60R16 whereas Honday city has skinny 185 tyres, which you will have to upgrade on purchase. No auto climate in honda city. Mileage wise, I read that honda city is the best in the segment. Honda city has the worst sound insulation. You get to enjoy the music of the auto ricks and buses outside. I don't think that honda city has anything to convince a premium of 2.5L over SX4. A difference of 50K for the brand and superior engine would have made Honda city a better choice over SX4 though.

Also don't simply go for that 118 ps power or whatever. In the low rpms, it is going to be worse than all the other cars. i-vtech kicks in after 3500 rpm and will help in a drag race where you rev till red line in each gear. Otherwise, honda city is worse than its predecessors in lower rpm (owners of both cars have commented on the same).

I am in full agreement with Dr Abyshines on the views about SX4 and NHC.I myself have SX4 ZXI for almost two yrs now and I am mighty pleased that I have bought it over NHC.SX4 and NHC are very similar in performance as well as fuel economy but SX4 is cheaper by 2.5 lacs though the clinching issue in my case was the poor ground clearance and smaller interiors of new City.City in no way feels and looks like a car so expensive.

Another thing ,most customer decisions are not made on the basis of compartive analysis but they are made on the basis of people showing off their superior buying power over their peers,friends and neighbours no matter how good or how bad the car is so long as it is serving the purpose of showing off superior buying power people line up to buy such cars like the NHC or even VW cars which are though at best only at par with Skoda,are selling at much higher price,Ultimately car cos fleece customers this way and customers are proud to be fleeced.

The City clearly is overpriced, majorly due to less %age of localisation of the parts.  Though Honda have improved the quality of interiors in the ANHC,still it is only the brand image and road presence to onlookers which will compel a prospective buyer to buyer it.

SX4 does a good jobat a lesser price and has come out with many improvements

1>the New VVT, which is much smoother and eficient,

2>Improved interiors, do look better then previous gen. SX4

3>USB port in audio system, with illuminated audio controls on steering, (closes on city here significantly)

4>Very good ground clearance

5>The rear armrest has been tweaked, earlier the middle passenger had to suffer due to the jutting armrest, which has been taken care off

6>Service cost of the SX4 is much cheaper

Hi,

I have been reading this discussion thru and thru and I was comparing between and Optra Magnum and a Honda city....after reading this post I would change my mind and bring in the new SX4 as comparison to buy along with the other two....For me, Honda would come last in the comparison and now I would have to decide between the Optra Magnum petrol(1.6LS) or the SX4( top model)....What are the pros and cons of both cars....guess Magnum has more power than the SX4 but then I guess ground clearance seems to be a big problem...ur views and inputs please.

In My views the relative positives of NHC and NSX4 are as follows: -

NHC:

• Better inteirors
• Percieved to be a better brand
• Higher BHP (though same torque, and comes at higher RPM)
• Fuel Consumption Display with Warning
• Front seat armrest

NSX4

• Better performance at lower revs
• High GC
• Longer, wider and taller
• Climate control a
• Safety features (ABS and Airbags, which would increase the price differential with NHC)
• A sturideir build quality. Honda city will ask for more for maintainance if it gets hit even slightly
• Lower cost of spares and service
• Much wider service network of Maruti
• Better tyre profile
• And, much much cheaper to buy than the NHC

Areas where both are different but I can not say one is better than the other

• Drive quality and Feel. SX4 feel much more "manly" with a slight heavy steering and gear shift than HNC which is very light on both.
• Looks

So take your pick......

Himanshu has given a good brief,in my view,between SX and Optra,prefer SX4 as it will give you much better resale  and will be cheaper as well as easier to service.

Good going discussion.I am happy to see that this thread has not become monotonous like some other threads where people just cant stop justifying honda Pricing.

Well arguement here is a killer one.

Why not a single owner till now has given a Review about the ANHC mileage.

I am sure its lesser than its previous predecessor.

And someone here said Honda was the first to create 8 lakh segment.True agreed.

Every manufacturer tries to compete with the top brands so as to keep their products upbeat.

Considering SX4 giving competition to OHC 2 yrs back,From a manufacturer who entered this arena dacades and decades after Honda.

And till date i am surprised to see Honda not picking up the Market vibes.

It will be further Pushed down as far as Hondas Brand image is concerned with the Launch of Kizashi.

I am only waiting for it to get launched to see what people have in say.

I respect SUZUKI for being more loyal to customers as far as pricing is concerned.

Besides all our discussions about the best and superior technology by any manufacturer,Ground reality be kept in mind as well.

No longer the sale figures of ANHC as done better justice to its brand CITY which once Dominated the roads.

No offence to anyone though,Superior technology is one thing,And not letting others buy it due to copyright issue is another thing.

Needless to mention VOLVO was the manufacturer to have invented the three point seat belt system,and kept it patent free so that every one could benefit from it.

And today we see those seat belts on every single car running on road.

Interesting fact isnt it.

Well besides personal motives and agendas by companies there still are people who are different from the rest.

I put SUZUKI in that segment as well.

Strategy not just to mint money for themselves but for people to reep its benefits as well.

They did commendable job not just long back but even today,for they have made possible the dream of owning a car.People can now choose from wide array of options,more price with more features.

It does harm companies Image but they dont bother.

Nor do i.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.