What are some of the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India? What makes them high-performance car models? Today, we are looking at the Hyundai Creta 2024, MG Astor and Honda City. Let’s see how their variants compare with each other in terms of performance.
In this article, we will share
- What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
- Hyundai Creta 2024 vs MG Astor vs Honda City – a comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance and features
- How to pick the right car for you
What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car
Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:
- Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
- Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
- Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
- Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance
Performance enthusiasts prioritize driving dynamics, engine performance, and handling when selecting a car. They seek fast cars with responsive engines, minimal turbo lag, and linear power delivery for an engaging driving experience. Agile handling, minimal body roll, and precise steering are crucial for tackling twisty roads with confidence.
Well-tuned suspensions strike a balance between sportiness and comfort. Additionally, performance enthusiasts appreciate features like advanced transmissions, sport modes, and driver-centric cockpits that enhance the overall driving experience.
Why Hyundai Creta 2024, MG Astor and Honda City are Popular
The Hyundai Creta 2024, MG Astor, and Honda City have gained popularity among performance enthusiasts for their distinct characteristics.
The Hyundai Creta offers a balanced driving experience with its refined engines and stable handling. Its suspension setup strikes a balance between comfort and sportiness, making it suitable for enthusiasts who seek a practical daily driver.
The MG Astor appeals to enthusiasts with its agile handling, minimal body roll, and linear power delivery. Its sporty design and feature-rich interior further enhance its appeal.
The Honda City, renowned for its engaging driving dynamics, offers a perfect blend of performance and practicality. Its responsive engines, agile handling, and well-tuned suspension make it a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate a fun-to-drive sedan.
Hyundai Creta 2024, MG Astor and Honda City Variants Shortlist in Rs 13-15 Lakh Range
For Hyundai Creta 2024, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024 |
| S | ₹1,339,000 |
| S (O) | ₹1,432,000 |
For MG Astor, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024 |
| Select CVT | ₹1,398,000 |
| Sharp Pro | ₹1,441,000 |
For Honda City, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024 |
| VX | ₹1,371,000 |
| VX CVT | ₹1,496,000 |
Hyundai Creta S
- Pros: Stable handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, moderate engine responsiveness, cruise control, lane keeping assist
- Cons: Steel wheels, lack of wireless charging
If you’re looking for a family car, you can read our guide to the best Creta 2024 variants for you.
Hyundai Creta S (O)
- Pros: Stable handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, moderate engine responsiveness, cruise control, lane keeping assist
- Cons: Steel wheels, lack of wireless charging
MG Astor Select CVT
- Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, LED headlights
- Cons: Laggy transmission response, lack of cruise control and wireless charging
If you’re a gadget enthusiast, you can check out our comparison of the Astor with Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate.
MG Astor Sharp Pro
- Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, cruise control, LED headlights, synthetic leather upholstery
- Cons: Lack of wireless charging
Honda City VX
- Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, cruise control, lane keeping assist, wireless charging
- Cons: Halogen headlights
If you enjoy long-distance road trips, you can read our comparison of the City with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.
Honda City VX CVT
- Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, responsive CVT transmission, cruise control, lane keeping assist, wireless charging
- Cons: Halogen headlights
Our Pick for the Best Variant among Hyundai Creta 2024, MG Astor and Honda City for Performance Enthusiasts
After careful consideration, we recommend the Honda City VX CVT as the best variant for performance enthusiasts. The Honda City VX CVT offers an excellent combination of performance, handling, and features that cater to the preferences of driving enthusiasts. Its 1.5-liter petrol engine delivers linear power delivery and moderate responsiveness, providing an engaging driving experience. The responsive CVT transmission ensures smooth and seamless acceleration, enhancing the overall driving pleasure.
The Honda City VX CVT excels in terms of driving dynamics, with its agile handling and minimal body roll. The well-tuned suspension strikes a perfect balance between sportiness and comfort, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy spirited driving without compromising on ride quality. The precise steering feedback adds to the car’s engaging character, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads.
In terms of features, the Honda City VX CVT comes equipped with essential amenities that performance enthusiasts appreciate. It offers cruise control, which enables relaxed highway driving, and lane-keeping assist, which provides an added layer of safety. The wireless charging feature ensures that devices remain powered up on the go. The glossy alloy wheels add to the car’s sporty appeal, while the synthetic leather upholstery enhances the interior’s premium feel.
While the Honda City VX CVT misses out on LED headlights, its overall package makes it the top choice for performance enthusiasts. Its engaging driving dynamics, responsive engine and transmission, and well-rounded features set it apart from the competition, offering an exciting and practical option for enthusiasts.
The Top 3 Choices
- Honda City VX CVT
- MG Astor Sharp Pro
- Hyundai Creta S (O)
| Attribute | Honda City VX CVT | MG Astor Sharp Pro | Hyundai Creta S (O) |
| Agility | Agile | Agile | Moderate |
| Body Roll | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
| Power Delivery | Linear | Linear | Linear |
| Engine Responsiveness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lane Keeping Assist | Yes | No | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | No | No |
| LED Headlights | No | Yes | No |
| Synthetic Leather Upholstery | Yes | Yes | No |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Honda City VX CVT stands out with its agile handling, responsive CVT transmission, and advanced features like lane keeping assist and wireless charging.
- The MG Astor Sharp Pro impresses with its agile handling, linear power delivery, and premium features like LED headlights and synthetic leather upholstery.
- The Hyundai Creta S (O) offers a stable and balanced driving experience, along with essential features like cruise control and lane keeping assist.
Ultimately, the choice depends on the individual’s priorities and driving style, but these three variants provide exciting options for performance enthusiasts in the compact SUV and sedan segments.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
