Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Skoda Slavia: A Comparison of Their Variants Priced Rs 10-12 Lakh for First-time Car Buyers
Buying a car for the first time, but confused about which are the best, or top cars for first-time buyers in India, and which option to choose? Let’s look at the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia, and find out which of their variants will be the best for you.
In this first-time car buyers’ guide, we will share
- What a first-time buyer should look for in a car
- Hyundai Verna vs Honda City vs Skoda Slavia – an in-depth guide to their variants, features, cost, and driveability
- How to pick the right car for you
So, are these affordable cars for first-time buyers in India? And which variant of these models is the right car for a first-time car buyer? Let’s find out.
What a First-time Car Buyer Looks for in a Car
This is what a first-time buyer should look for in a car:
- Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
- Affordability – The car should be well within budget and affordable.
- Fuel efficiency – The car should have good fuel efficiency, thereby reducing its running cost.
- Ease of driving – The car should be easy to drive, with features that help in driving and offer convenience for new drivers
A first-time buyer wants good mileage, safety features like airbags/ABS, automatic transmission option for easy driving, decent features but not too complex, good cabin space and responsive engine. They have a budget of around 11-13 lakhs and want good value alongside after-sales service quality.
Why Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia are popular
The Verna, City and Slavia strike a balance between features, performance and pricing suiting new buyers. These sedans pack smart looks, latest creature comforts and safety kit even in base variants. The engine options are efficient while delivering good power. Plus, sales service network is wide.
Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia variants shortlist in Rs 10-12 lakh range
For Hyundai Verna, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 23 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| S | ₹11,99,000 |
For Honda City, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 23 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| SV | ₹11,71,000 |
For Skoda Slavia, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 23 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| 1.0 TSI Active | ₹11,53,000 |
Hyundai Verna S
Key Features:
If you’re safety conscious, you can check out our comparison of the Verna with Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Honda City SV
Key Features:
If you’re a gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the City with Kia Seltos 2023.
Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Active
Key Features:
If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the Slavia with Honda Elevate.
These specific variants provide an optimal mix of features, safety and value. The Verna gets key goodies like auto transmission and smartphone connectivity. City provides added safety tech while Slavia packs segment-leading features.
Our Pick for the Best variant among Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Skoda Slavia for First-time Car Buyers
The Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Active is the best variant for a first car buyer. It stands out for its turbo-petrol engine that offers an enthusiastic 113 BHP power and 178 Nm torque. This peppy motor makes driving fun. Plus, the presence of 6 airbags and traction control provide all-round safety.
Further, the car provides auto headlamps, rear camera, auto wipers, cooled glovebox and more. So the package simplifies the usage while packed features make ownership enjoyable for novice drivers. The competitive pricing sweetens the deal further.
The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference
- Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI
- Hyundai Verna S
- Honda City SV
| Attributes | Slavia | Verna S | City SV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100+ BHP Power | Yes | No | Yes |
| 6 Airbags | Yes | Yes | No |
| Auto Gearbox | No | Yes | No |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Active strikes the best balance as a first car with its enthusiastic engine, safety kit and value pricing.
- The Verna S is also a worthy choice with its automatic transmission and 6 airbags.
- While the City SV doesn’t get an auto option, its abundant safety tech remains quite practical for new drivers.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.