The demand for petrol automatic cars is on the rise and it looks like all the major players want a slice of the pie. Most manufacturers already have successful models and are now looking to cater across segments. The latest will be Hyundai who will introduce a petrol AT variant of the Creta SUV to give it a chance in the C-segment where it current machine the Verna is unable to garner the numbers. This version of the Creta will go head to head with the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz AT as well as the Honda City AT.
Dimensions
This is a bit of an odd comparison considering that one is an SUV while the other two are sedans. However, that seems to be no restriction as they evenly matched in terms of length, width and wheelbase. They are for obvious reasons different in height and ground clearance but even here the latter is almost negligible. So this then is down to an issue of personal choice.
The Ciaz and the City are traditional C-segment sedans and have everything you would expect from a vehicle in this category. The Creta is a new type of body style in the same segment offering everything these cars have but with SUV/crossover looks that are fast becoming a choice among consumers today.
Equipment
It’s a similar story as the dimensions when you get into the feature list of all three vehicles. They have all the equipment that you would want when you are paying over 10 lakh for a vehicle. Power windows, climate control, electrically adjustable ORVMs and auto dim for IRVM, touchscreen music system and of course vast amounts of boot space.
To see where the differences really lay, we dug deeper and found quite a few and while they were minor the list was pretty long. In the basics, the Creta gets brake assist while the Honda City has hill-hold function. The Ciaz and City have speed sensing door locks while the Creta does not have this function but gets guidance lines for its reverse camera. The Creta has the most detailed instrument cluster but loses out on leather upholstery as compared to the other too. Finally the Ciaz and Creta get projector head lamps and in the case of the latter LED DRLs also.
Engine and gearbox
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz petrol AT is powered a 1.4-litre petrol engine that produces 91bhp/130Nm of torque and is mated to a four-speed AT. The Honda City is offered with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder that produces 117bhp/145Nm of torque and is mated to a CVT. They Creta is offered with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder mill that produces 122bhp and 154Nm and is mated to a six-speed AT.
In an obvious sense the Ciaz comes in third as it is a naturally aspirated engine with a lower output than the rest. The City and its silky smooth i-VTEC mill is more of a real competition to the to the Creta’s turbo petrol mill as their peak figures and outputs are quite close.
Price
The Hyundai Creta petrol AT is being offered only in the SX+ variant which is pretty much a top-spec variant. Its equivalent is the Honda City in the VX CVT and Ciaz in the ZXi+ AT which are priced at Rs 11.96 lakh and Rs 10.08 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). We believe that Hyundai will price this car around Rs 12.5 lakh (ex-showroom) which will make it a more premium offering but should be successful considering the numbers the Creta is achieving.