Competition in the C-segment has become fiercer with the launch of the new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz in the country. The new model further ups its game against its Japanese rival, the Honda City in India. Loaded with a fresh set of upgrades, this is how the new model fares against its competitor in India:
Exterior
Both the cars, namely the Honda City and the newly introduced Maruti Suzuki Ciaz have a modern appeal and are indeed good looking options in its segment. To begin with, the Ciaz gets halogen projector headlamps in the lower two variants (Sigma and Delta), while the higher variants like the Zeta and the Alpha are offered with LED projector headlamps with integrated DRLs. The base variant of the Ciaz is offered with regular 15-inch steel rims while the Delta and Zeta get 15-inch alloys. The top-spec Alpha variant is available with 16-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, the Zeta and the Alpha variants of the Ciaz are offered with LED rear combination lights.
The City, on the other hand, gets full LED headlamps as standard. The VX and ZX variants of the City are available with 16-inch diamond cut alloys, while the V variant gets 15-inch alloys and the lower variants are offered with steel rims and full wheel caps. The LED taillights in the City is limited to the top spec ZX variant.
Interior
The new Maruti Ciaz is offered with a standard feature list that includes chrome garnish (steering wheel, inside door handles, AC louvers knob and parking brake lever), multi-information display (colour TFT in petrol), keyless entry, cruise control, electrically adjustable ORVMs, rear AC vents, front centre armrest with utility box and rear centre armrest with cup holders. The standard list further includes accessories socket on the front and rear, tilt steering, Bluetooth audio system with four speakers and two tweeters, USB connectivity, steering mounted audio controls and steering mounted calling controls. The top spec gets a 17.8cms touchscreen SmartPlay infotainment system with an inbuilt navigation system, voice command system and Mirror Link support for smartphone connectivity.
The Honda City, on the other hand, gets 3.5-inch LCD screen for audio with Aux-In port in the base S and SV variants. The higher variants get seven-inch advanced infotainment with a capacitive touchscreen. The top spec variant is available with premium leather upholstery along with other features like an electronically operated sunroof, electric wing mirrors, automatic climate control and more. The ZX also gets rain-sensing wipers and auto on/off headlamps.
Engine
The new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is powered by a new 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine which generates 103bhp at 6,000rpm and 138Nm at 4,400rpm. The four-cylinder motor is mated to a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission. The diesel, on the other hand, is the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS churning out 89bhp and 200Nm. Except for the base, the rest of the variants are available in optional automatic petrol variant.
The Honda City is powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engines which generate 117bhp and 99bhp respectively. The new model is available in S, SV, V, VX and ZX variants. The base S variant is offered only in the petrol option, while diesel is optional from V trim onwards.
In terms of pricing, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz starts at Rs 8.19 lakhs while the top-spec diesel is priced at Rs 10.97 lakhs. The Honda City, on the other hand, starts at Rs 8.77 lakhs while the top-spec anniversary edition diesel is priced at Rs 13.92 lakhs (ex-showroom).
