The Best Budget-Friendly Choices: Comparing Variants of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Honda City
What a Budget-conscious buyer looks for in a car
A budget-conscious buyer seeks an affordable, yet value-packed car. While looking for the best budget cars, they prioritize fuel efficiency for lower running costs, reliable safety features for protection, and adequate performance for smooth daily commuting. Convenience aspects, like power windows and power steering, also matter as they enhance the comfort and driving experience. While luxury features are desirable, these buyers tend to value essential functionality over high-end add-ons. Also, they appreciate cars with lower maintenance costs and high resale value.
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is an older car model in the mid-size sedan segment, and is priced cheaper than the Honda City (the Ciaz’s top variants’ prices correspond to the City’s entry-level variants). The Honda City also got a facelift recently, making it a more contemporary car.
Why Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Honda City are popular mid-size sedans among Budget-conscious buyers
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Honda City have cemented their popularity among budget-conscious buyers, largely due to their blend of affordability, quality, and performance. As affordable car options in India, both vehicles offer spacious interiors, reliable safety features, and superior fuel efficiency – a critical consideration for buyers on a budget.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, being from India’s leading automaker, enjoys wide service network and relatively low-cost maintenance, which appeals to budget-conscious buyers. Its strong mileage performance, notably from the petrol variants, ensures a reduced burden on the wallet. The convenience features, although not luxurious, offer a comfortable driving experience.
Also read: Maruti Invicto MPV – All You want to know
Similarly, Honda City, though slightly on the premium side, offers remarkable value for money. Known for its robust build quality and strong resale value, it’s an excellent investment. Its petrol engine delivers commendable mileage, balancing performance and economy effectively. With its comprehensive safety features and a reputation for long-term durability, it offers peace of mind to budget buyers.
Both cars, based on reviews from teambhp.com and autocarindia.com, provide a satisfying ownership experience without breaking the bank, making them popular choices among budget-conscious buyers. Also, Ciaz is a car to buy if you’re planning on holding on to it for long. Otherwise, the City makes more sense as it has a better resale value, which can undermine Ciaz’s price advantage.
Top Variants of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Base Variant of Honda City Prices
| Product | Variant | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Honda City | SV | 11,49,000 |
| Maruti Suzuki Ciaz | Delta AT | 11,11,000 |
| Maruti Suzuki Ciaz | Zeta AT | 11,50,000 |
The Honda City SV, priced at INR 11,49,000, is a sensible choice for budget buyers as it packs in all the essential features. Its petrol engine delivers a city mileage of 17.8 kmpl, making it cost-effective in daily use. The presence of ABS, 4 airbags, and rear parking sensors ensure a decent safety standard. Moreover, the LCD touchscreen adds a touch of modernity and convenience. You can read our guide to the best Honda City variants for budget buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta AT, priced slightly cheaper at INR 11,11,000, offers higher fuel efficiency of 20.04 kmpl with its petrol engine, reducing running costs. Despite offering only 2 airbags, it includes ABS and rear parking sensors, offering a balanced safety profile. However, it lacks a touchscreen, which could be a small compromise for budget buyers. We also have our guide to the best Ciaz variants for budget-conscious buyers.
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Zeta AT variant, although the most expensive at INR 11,50,000, offers similar features as the Delta AT, including superior fuel efficiency. What differentiates it is the presence of alloy wheels, adding to its aesthetic appeal without compromising on the essentials. If you’re a family-focused buyer, you can check out our comparison of the Maruti Ciaz with Maruti Brezza.
Best variant among Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Honda City for Budget-conscious buyers
After careful consideration, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta AT emerges as the best and most affordable car variant in this list of mid-size sedans for a budget-conscious buyer. Despite its lower price tag, it matches most features provided by the other variants. Its superior fuel efficiency of 20.04 kmpl offers long-term savings in fuel costs. It doesn’t compromise on safety, offering ABS, rear parking sensors, and 2 airbags. The inclusion of power windows and power steering add to the convenience factor. Although it lacks a touchscreen, considering the budget constraints, it is a small compromise for the savings it offers.
The Three Variants Ranked
- Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta AT
- Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Zeta AT
- Honda City SV
| Attribute | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta AT | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Zeta AT | Honda City SV |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| City Mileage (kmpl) | 20.04 | 20.04 | 17.8 |
| Power Windows – Back | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Windows – Front | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Engine – Fuel type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Delta AT, with its optimal mix of fuel efficiency, safety, and convenience, offers great value for money. The Ciaz Zeta AT, albeit more expensive, offers a similar value proposition, with the added benefit of alloy wheels. The Honda City SV, despite a slightly lower fuel efficiency, boasts superior safety features and modern amenities like an LCD touchscreen.
In summary, all three choices offer a balanced blend of essential features, attractive design, and cost-effectiveness, making them desirable variants for budget-conscious buyers. All are car variants that will fit within your budget. However, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, with its economical operation and affordable maintenance, comes out slightly ahead.
Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered