Optimal Performance Pick: A Comparative Analysis of Variants in Honda City and Skoda Slavia for Performance Enthusiasts

Written By: Kshitij Bisen
Published: July 20, 2023 at 08:03 AMUpdated: Updated: July 20, 2023 at 08:03 AM
 review

What a Performance Enthusiast looks for in a car

Performance enthusiasts prioritize a vehicle’s dynamic attributes, such as its engine power, acceleration, handling, and high-speed stability. When looking for the best performance cars, they are interested in how the car responds to their inputs and enjoy the sensation of speed and control. The presence of advanced features like traction control, power steering, and the absence of turbo lag enhance the driving experience. They also value quality components, such as the audio system, touchscreen type, and wheel type, which heighten the overall experience.

In the mid-size sedan segment, the Honda City and Skoda Slavia are known for their performance attributes, which performance enthusiasts appreciate.

Why Honda City and Skoda Slavia is popular among Performance Enthusiasts

Honda City and Skoda Slavia have garnered a reputation as desirable picks for performance enthusiasts due to their impressive set of features. The Honda City, as stated by Autocar India and TeamBHP, stands out for its linear power delivery, stable high-speed stability, and agile handling. It possesses a 1498 cc petrol engine that offers 119.35 BHP and 145 Nm of torque, ensuring adequate power and acceleration for thrill-seekers.

On the other hand, the Skoda Slavia, with its smaller but turbocharged 999 cc petrol engine, provides a comparable 113.98 BHP and a higher 178 Nm of torque, thereby offering impressive acceleration and power despite a smaller engine displacement. It matches the Honda City’s agility and high-speed stability while providing superior ground clearance. Its moderate turbo lag ensures minimal disruption to power delivery.

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Both models incorporate essential features such as power steering, rain sensing wiper, and the presence of an LCD touchscreen, contributing to a premium and comfortable driving experience. These features, combined with their competitive pricing, make them attractive choices for performance enthusiasts.

Honda City and Skoda Slavia are among the high-performance car models in India. For this comparison, however, we are looking at the lower-end variants of the two cars, which means that the more powerful 1.5l Slavia variants are not included in this list. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can check out how the City and Slavia fare against each other.

Our variants shortlist for Honda City and Skoda Slavia in Rs 11-14 Lakh Range

VariantPrice (INR)
Honda City SV11,49,000
Honda City V12,37,000
Honda City XV13,49,000
Honda City V CVT13,62,000
Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Active11,39,000
Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition13,19,000

The Honda City SV, with its agile handling, stable high-speed stability, and linear power delivery, serves as a solid entry-level option for performance enthusiasts. Its price is competitive, although it lacks certain conveniences like a rain-sensing wiper. If you are a budget-conscious buyer, you can read our guide to the best Honda City variants for you.

Moving up the price range, the Honda City V and XV both carry the same performance characteristics as the SV but with incremental additions. The V variant comes with the addition of cruise control, while the XV adds a rain-sensing wiper and wireless charging, enhancing overall convenience.

The Honda City V CVT takes things further by integrating a CVT transmission system, improving responsiveness and making the driving experience smoother.

In the Skoda lineup, the Slavia 1.0 TSI Active features agile handling, linear power delivery, and better ground clearance than the Honda City. However, its lower power compared to the Honda City variants may be a slight disadvantage for some enthusiasts.

The Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition takes the Active’s features and adds cruise control, enhancing driving convenience for long distances. We have also compared the Slavia with Hyundai Venue N Line for budget-conscious buyers.

Best variant among Honda City and Skoda Slavia for Performance Enthusiasts

The Honda City XV stands out as the top choice for performance enthusiasts. This variant presents a balance of strong performance features with added convenience. It boasts of agility, high-speed stability, and linear power delivery, accompanied by the convenience of rain-sensing wipers and wireless charging. While the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition competes closely, the higher power output of the Honda City XV and the presence of a responsive non-CVT transmission system give it an edge in the performance department.

The Top 3 choices

  1. Honda City XV
  2. Honda City V CVT
  3. Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition
AttributesHonda City XVHonda City V CVTSkoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition
# of cylinders443
Acceleration (0-60 km/h)5.65.65.6
AgilityAgileAgileAgile
Audio System (Brand)OEMOEMOEM
Body RollMinimalMinimalMinimal
Drive Type (AWD/RWD/FWD/4WD)FWDFWDFWD
Engine – displacement (cc)14981498999
Engine – Fuel typePetrolPetrolPetrol
Engine – power (BHP)119.35119.35113.98
Engine – Torque (Nm)145145178
Engine responsivenessModerateModerateModerate
Ground clearance (mm)165165179
High-Speed StabilityStableStableStable
Power deliveryLinearLinearLinear
Power SteeringYesYesYes
Top Speed (km/h)170170141.35
Touchscreen type (LCD, TFT, OLED)LCDLCDLCD
Transmission – # of gears666

The top three choices, namely Honda City XV, Honda City V CVT, and Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition, offer a blend of performance and convenience. The Honda City XV comes out on top for its superior power and performance-enhancing features. The City V CVT follows closely, with its CVT system providing an edge in smoothness and responsiveness. Lastly, the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Ambition presents a compelling alternative with its better ground clearance and addition of cruise control, although it lags slightly in power output.

Each of these choices can be deemed a fast car, and offers a different balance of attributes, allowing enthusiasts to select based on their specific preferences.

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