The 2020 Hyundai Verna is finally here to take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and others. Albeit the Indian car buyers now generally prefer SUV over a sedan, there are still a few who want the exceptional ride quality and plush feel of an executive sedan. Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz are two such cars in this segment who always have a tough war to gain the top spot in the sales report card. And it's the Ciaz who mostly gets the throne, but that doesn't mean the Verna is incompetent. In this article, we will be doing a specification-based comparo between the 2020 Verna and the Maruti Ciaz to let you know which one of the duo is the best for you.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Baleno is India's Best Selling Car: Find out why.
2020 Hyundai Verna VS Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Exterior Design)
Hyundai has recently updated the Verna and the facelifted Verna looks much sportier than before. It gets sharp styling elements with cuts, creases and angular designs all-over. The 2020 Verna features a larger unit of Hyundai's signature 'cascading grille' with a set of new LED headlamps with LED DRLs and LED cornering fog-lamps. It also gets a set of new alloys, new front and rear bumpers with dual-muffler exhaust (only in the turbo-petrol variant) and new LED tail-lamps. Hyundai Verna also sports an electric sunroof which is considered as a premium feature in the Indian car market and its arch-rival Ciaz misses out on it.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, on the other hand, has an understated elegance. It doesn't look as sporty as some of its rivals but it has its own charm of tranquillity. The Ciaz has an elegant design language with floating lines and anyone who loves a long car would love it. The mid-life facelift of the Ciaz got some subtle styling updates to make it look premium and upmarket than before. Recently Maruti Suzuki has also launched a sportier version of the Ciaz called the Ciaz S. That said, the design is subjective to personal tastes.
2020 Hyundai Verna VS Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Petrol Engines)
| Specifications | 2020 Hyundai Verna | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz |
| Engine | 1.5-litre NA petrol 1.0-litre turbo-petrol | 1.5-litre NA petrol |
| Power | 115 PS 120 PS | 105 PS |
| Torque | 144 Nm 171 Nm | 138 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual/CVT 7-speed DCT | 5-speed manual/4-AT |
| ARAI fuel-efficiency | NA | 20.65kmpl/20.04kmpl |
| Emission Norms | BS6 | BS6 |
The 2020 Hyundai Verna gets a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that churns out 115PS and 144Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual or a CVT (IVT in Hyundai's speak). The Verna Facelift also gets an optional 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that churns out a healthy 120PS and 171Nm of torque, mated only to a 7-speed DCT. The turbo-petrol variant of the Verna also gets paddle-shifters for more spiritual driving feel. In this parameter of powertrain then, this updated Hyundai definitely overshadows the Ciaz.
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol unit that pumps out 105PS and 138Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed torque converter automatic. The AT variant also gets SHVS or mild-hybrid technology, thereby aiding fuel economy. Though it doesn't have the best outright punch, clever gearing and oodles of torque lower down in the rev range make it an excellent urban runabout.
The new Hyundai Verna also gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 115PS and 245Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual or a torque-converter automatic gearbox. We have not compared the diesel variants as Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is now a petrol-only model.
2020 Hyundai Verna VS Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Dimensions)
| Dimensions | 2020 Hyundai Verna | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz |
| Length (in mm) | 4440 | 4490 |
| Width (in mm) | 1729 | 1730 |
| Height (in mm) | 1475 | 1485 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 2600 | 2650 |
| Max. Tyre Size | 195/55 R16 | 195/55 R16 |
While the Ciaz doesn't offer a powerful engine like the Verna but it does makes-up in size. The Ciaz is the longer vehicle here in terms of length, width, and even wheelbase thereby offering you more space on the inside to enjoy a comfortable long-ride in the back-seat.
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2020 Hyundai Verna VS Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Interior and Features)
The Verna isn't as spacious as the Ciaz but just like its exterior, it has a bold interior layout. Both the cars get a dual-tone black and beige treatment on the dashboard and while the Hyundai offers better quality, the Ciaz too looks premium due to the use of faux-wood inserts. The Hyundai also offers an all-black theme in the turbo-petrol model.
The Hyundai Verna is loaded with features up to the brim. It gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Hyundai's BlueLink connected car technology. It also gets Arkamys music system, full-digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, hands-free tailgate opening, etc.
Whereas, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz gets all the usable day-to-day features but is not loaded with the latest tech-gizmos. It gets Suzuki's Smartplay Studio Infotainment system that comprises of a 7.0-inch touchscreen unit compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Ciaz is also our pick for those looking at sheer back seat comfort - no two ways about it.
2020 Hyundai Verna VS Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Price)
| Price | 2020 Hyundai Verna | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz |
| NA Petrol | 9.30-13.80 lakhs | 8.30-11 lakhs |
| Turbo Petrol | 13.99 lakhs | NA |
| Diesel | 10.60-15.10 lakhs | NA |
*All prices Ex-showroom Delhi.
Now the most important factor considered before buying a new car is the 'budget' and Maruti Ciaz clearly shines in this department. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz starts at Rs. 8.30 lakhs, Ex-showroom and tops out at just Rs 11 lakhs, Ex-showroom, making it the most affordable sedan in its category. The top-end petrol variant of Ciaz undercuts the top-end petrol model of Verna by nearly three lakh rupees and that's a lot of money.
Also Read: BS4 Toyota cars discontinued in the BS6 era: Etios to Altis.
When you look side by side, it can be clearly seen that the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz screams value. It offers the best value of your money as it offers a spacious cabin, rich looks, and Maruti's great after-sales service and the mild-hybrid system is a boon. This is the reason why Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is the 'Undisputed King' of the C-segment sedan from ever since it was launched. In the month of March 2020, Ciaz bagged the top position in its category as 1,863 units of Ciaz was sold which is more than double of the Hyundai Verna sold in the same period which stood at second position with 893 units.
However, the game doesn't end there. The new Hyundai Verna is surely more expensive than the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz as it offers so much more in terms of looks, powertrain options, and features. We are also assuming it to be a better driver's car with that terrific turbo petrol motor and even paddle shifters. Will a modern-day prospective owner shell out that extra money or will he settle for the evergreen Ciaz? Our fingers are crossed...
