Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Volkswagen Virtus Performance Showdown: Finding the Best Top-end Variant

When you live for the thrill of driving, you look for the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India. So what makes a high-performance car model? We compare the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus, and see how their top-end variants fare in terms of their performance.

In this article, we will share

• What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
• Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Volkswagen Virtus – 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, power, and responsiveness when choosing a car. They seek vehicles with powerful engines, quick acceleration, and high top speeds. A well-tuned suspension that minimizes body roll and provides agile handling is crucial. Enthusiasts also appreciate advanced transmissions like dual-clutch automatics (DCTs) for fast and smooth gear changes. Steering feedback and precise control are essential for an engaging driving experience. 

Additionally, they value features like launch control, drive modes, and sporty exhaust notes. Aesthetically, performance enthusiasts are drawn to aggressive styling, sporty body kits, and large alloy wheels that complement the car’s performance capabilities.

Why Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus are popular

The Hyundai Verna, Honda City, and Volkswagen Virtus have gained popularity among performance enthusiasts due to their engaging driving dynamics and powerful engine options. 

The Verna offers a 1.0-liter turbo petrol engine with 120 PS and 172 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DCT, delivering quick acceleration and smooth gear shifts. The Honda City’s 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine produces 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, providing a responsive and rev-happy driving experience. The Volkswagen Virtus, with its 1.5-liter TSI EVO engine churning out 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque, coupled with a 7-speed DSG, offers exhilarating performance and precise handling. 

All three models feature well-tuned suspensions that minimize body roll and provide agile handling, making them enjoyable to drive on winding roads. The sporty styling, with aggressive front grilles, sharp lines, and dual-tone alloy wheels, adds to their appeal among performance enthusiasts.

Top-end variants shortlist for Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus

For Hyundai Verna, we have:

Variant	Price as on 19 April 2024
SX Opt IVT	₹1,623,000
SX Opt Turbo DCT DT	₹1,742,000

For Volkswagen Virtus, we have:

Variant	Price as on 19 April 2024
GT Plus Edge	₹1,710,000
GT Plus Edge DSG	₹1,877,000

For Honda City, we have:

Variant	Price as on 19 April 2024
ZX CVT	₹1,619,000
Hybrid V CVT	₹1,889,000

Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT DT

The Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT DT is an excellent choice for performance enthusiasts. It comes equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 157.57 BHP and 253 Nm of torque, paired with a quick-shifting 7-speed DCT. The DCT ensures fast and smooth gear changes, enhancing the driving experience. The Verna’s suspension is tuned for minimal body roll and agile handling, making it enjoyable to drive on winding roads. If you’re looking for a family car, you can check out our comparison of the Verna with Honda Elevate.

Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Edge and GT Plus Edge DSG

The Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Edge and GT Plus Edge DSG are well-suited for performance enthusiasts. Both variants are powered by a 1.5-liter TSI engine that produces 147.51 BHP and 250 Nm of torque. The GT Plus Edge comes with a 6-speed manual transmission for a more engaging driving experience, while the GT Plus Edge DSG features a quick-shifting 6-speed DCT. The Virtus offers precise steering, minimal body roll, and agile handling, making it a joy to drive. If you value a car’s design and style, you can check out our comparison of the Virtus with Skoda Slavia.

Honda City ZX CVT and Hybrid V CVT

The Honda City ZX CVT and Hybrid V CVT are attractive options for performance enthusiasts who prioritize a balance between performance and efficiency. The ZX CVT is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine that delivers 119.35 BHP and 145 Nm of torque, paired with a responsive CVT. The Hybrid V CVT combines a 1.5-liter petrol engine with an electric motor, offering a combined output of 96.55 BHP and 127 Nm of torque. Both variants provide agile handling and a smooth driving experience. If you enjoy long drives, you can read our comparison of the City with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus for Performance Enthusiasts

After careful consideration, we recommend the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG as the best variant for performance enthusiasts. This variant offers a perfect blend of power, performance, and driving dynamics that cater to the needs of enthusiasts.

The Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG is powered by a 1.5-liter TSI engine that produces 147.51 BHP and 250 Nm of torque. This engine is known for its strong power delivery and quick responsiveness, ensuring an exhilarating driving experience. The engine is paired with a quick-shifting 6-speed DCT transmission, which provides lightning-fast gear changes and seamless power delivery.

The Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG’s suspension is well-tuned, offering minimal body roll and agile handling. The steering is precise and communicative, allowing the driver to feel connected to the road. The car remains stable at high speeds, inspiring confidence in the driver.

In terms of aesthetics, the Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG boasts a sporty and aggressive design. The glossy paint finish, sleek body lines, and sculpted surfaces add to its visual appeal. The 16-inch alloy wheels complement the car’s performance capabilities and enhance its overall look.

The Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG also comes equipped with features that performance enthusiasts appreciate. It offers a digital instrument cluster, a large touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, and voice-activated controls. The premium audio system and wireless charging add to the convenience and entertainment factor.

Other notable features include ventilated seats, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and a panoramic sunroof, providing a comfortable and premium driving experience.

Safety is not compromised, with the Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG offering 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, and traction control. It has achieved a 5-star GNCAP rating, ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.

Overall, the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG’s combination of powerful performance, agile handling, sporty design, and advanced features make it the top choice for performance enthusiasts.

The Top 3 choices

1. Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG
2. Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT DT
3. Honda City ZX CVT

Attribute	Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG	Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT DT	City ZX CVT
Engine – Power (BHP)	147.51	157.57	119.35
Engine – Torque (Nm)	250	253	145
Transmission – Auto Type	DCT	DCT	CVT
Turbocharging	Yes	Yes	No
Drive Type	FWD	FWD	FWD
Agility	Agile	Agile	Agile
Body Roll	Minimal	Minimal	Minimal
High-Speed Stability	Stable	Stable	Stable
Steering Mounted Controls	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cruise Control	Yes	Yes	Yes

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Edge DSG takes the top spot with its powerful 1.5-liter TSI engine, quick-shifting 6-speed DCT, and agile handling. The engine’s strong power delivery and responsive nature make it a joy to drive. The well-tuned suspension minimizes body roll and provides precise control, enhancing the driving experience.
• The Hyundai Verna SX Opt Turbo DCT DT comes in second, offering a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 157.57 BHP and 253 Nm of torque. The 7-speed DCT ensures fast and smooth gear changes, making it a delight for performance enthusiasts. The Verna’s suspension is tuned for minimal body roll and agile handling, providing an engaging driving experience.
• The Honda City ZX CVT secures the third position, with its 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine delivering 119.35 BHP and 145 Nm of torque. The responsive CVT transmission offers smooth acceleration and a refined driving experience. The City’s agile handling and precise steering make it enjoyable to drive on winding roads.

All three variants offer attractive packages for performance enthusiasts, with their own unique strengths. The choice among these three variants will depend on individual preferences and priorities.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.