Skoda Rapid Petrol Vs Honda City Petrol– Which Is Better And Why?

Skoda has launched its small C Segment sedan Skoda Rapid in India on 16th Nov 2011 at an attractive price tag of Rs. 6.75 Lakhs. The Skoda Rapid is a sibling of Volkswagen Vento which is already present in Indian for over an year now. These two cars share engines, components, interiors and technology to a large extent. The Rapid is priced below Vento and its interesting to see how it will face the competition from its own sibling and other established cars in this segment. In this article in continuation to our Car Comparison Series On Car Blog India, we are comparing Skoda Rapid with one of the Ace cars, Honda City Petrol which is one the best handling cars in this segment.

image – Skoda Rapid (Left) and Honda City (Right)

Skoda Rapid Exteriors Vs Honda City Exteriors

Skoda Rapid Dimensions:

Length = 4386 mm
Width = 1699 mm
Height = 1466 mm
Wheelbase = 2552 mm

Honda City Dimensions:

Length = 4420
Width = 1695
Height = 1480
Wheelbase = 2550

In terms of exteriors, both cars have different design language. The Honda City has sharp lines and very modern design language while the Rapid has simple and elegant styling for sophistication. There is nothing striking about the exterior styling of Rapid. It has been designed for the buyers who appreciate simplicity and neatness more than the modern and dynamic styling. In terms of exteriors, my vote goes to Honda City as it does look better in terms of exteriors.

Skoda Rapid Interiors Vs Honda City Interiors

image – Skoda Rapid Interiors

image – Skoda Rapid Top View

image-Honda City Interiors

In terms on Interiors, Both Skoda Rapid and Honda City have good quality to offer. The plastic quality, upholstery, fit and finish of both Honda and Skoda are up to the mark. Both cars however miss out on some features, like Honda City offers steering mounted audio controls while Rapid does not, on the other hand, Rapid offers rear AC vents while the automatic climate control while the City does not offer.

There is sufficient interior space and rear leg space in both these cars. The top end variants come with integrated audio controls and automatic transmission option. One good thing about Rapid is that mid variant Ambition also offers option of automatic and manual transmission in the petrol engine option. In terms of interior quality and features, I think both cars are very close, but Skoda seems a better choice.

Skoda Rapid Petrol Engine Vs Honda City Petrol Engine

Skoda Rapid Petrol Engine Specifications

Engine Type- 1.6 Litre 4 Cylinder DOHC Petrol Engine
Max Power- 105 BHP @ 5250 RPM
Max Torque – 153 Nm @ 3800 RPM
Transmission Options – 5 Speed Manual Transmission Or 6 Speed Automatic Transmission Option
1.8 Petrol Engine with manual transmission mileage is 15.8 KMPL
Kerb Weight = 1145 Kg (MT) and 1180 Kg (AT)
Power to weight ratio of 90.5 BHP / 1000 Kg

Honda City Petrol Engine Specifications

Engine Type- 1.5 Litre 4 Cylinder SOHC Petrol Engine with I-VTEC (VVTI) Technology
Max Power- 116.3 BHP @ 6600 RPM
Max Torque – 146 Nm @ 4800 RPM
Transmission Options – 5 Speed Manual Transmission Or 5 Speed Automatic Transmission Option
Honda City with 1.5 Petrol Engine with manual transmission mileage is 16.7 KMPL
Honda City with 1.5 Petrol Engine with automatic transmission mileage is 15.5 KMPL
Kerb Weight = 1100 Kg (MT) and 1155 Kg (AT)
Power to weight ratio of 105.7 BHP / 1000 Kg

Looking at the engine specifications, its very clear that Honda City has got a better power to weight ratio, better peak power, however, Rapid has a better low end torque which is helpful in congested driving as lesser downshifts are needed. However, on engine front, our vote goes to Honda City petrol.

Skoda Rapid Petrol Handling and Performance Vs Honda City Petrol Handling and Performance

Both Honda City and Skoda Rapid are good handling cars. Honda City is very renowned in its segment for sharp handling and planted driving characteristic. On the other hand, Rapid, derived from Vento, has been re-tuned on suspension to give even better handling characteristics than Vento which is already a pretty good handler. In terms on handling, I would call it a tie.

Skoda Rapid Petrol Price Vs Honda City Petrol Price

Prices of Skoda Rapid ex-showroom Delhi are as follows:

Skoda Rapid Active 1.6 MPI Petrol MT is priced at Rs. 6.75 Lakhs
Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 MPI Petrol MT is priced at Rs. 7.09 Lakhs
Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MPI Petrol MT is priced at Rs. 7.99 Lakhs
Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 MPI Petrol AT is priced at Rs. 8.09 Lakhs
Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MPI Petrol AT is priced at Rs. 8.99 Lakhs

The ex-showroom Delhi price of Honda City 1.5 Petrol in India are as follows:

Honda City 1.5 E MT Petrol is priced at Rs. 7.49 Lakhs
Honda City 1.5 S MT Petrol is priced at Rs. 8.19 Lakhs
Honda City 1.5 V MT Petrol is priced at Rs. 8.64 Lakhs
Honda City 1.5 V AT Petrol is priced at Rs. 9.37 Lakhs

Skoda Rapid Active 1.6 MT Vs Honda City 1.5 E MT

For the base variant, Honda city seems quite overpriced at a price difference of Rs. 74,000. However there are some extra features which City offers like larger 15 inch wheel compared to 14 inch wheels of Rapid. Also city offers ABS, with Brake assist, Airbags etc. and a more powerful and efficient engine which justify the cost difference to some extent, but still seem quite expansive. Also Rapid offers rear AC vents for better comfort of rear seat passengers. So if you don’t want to buy safety features, which you should buy for your safety, then Rapid Active seems to be a better bet.

Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 MT Vs Honda City 1.5 E MT

In terms of price, even the mid variant Ambition with Manual transmission is cheaper than the Honda City by a good Rs. 40,000. In these variants, Rapid comes with remote control keyless entry system which city does not offer. However, City offers larger 15 inch wheels, more powerful engine and dual SRS airbags while the Rapid offers only driver side airbag. Rapid offers rear AC vents for better cooling for rear seat passengers. Both cars offer ABS with brake assist. Both variants for their price are very close in terms of value. I would pick Honda for better engine and exteriors.

Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MT Vs Honda City 1.5 S MT

If we go higher and compared the top end manual Elegance variant of Rapid Petrol with Honda City Mid variant S, the City is about Rs. 20,000 costlier. Both cars offers integrated audio system, but City additionally offers steering mounted audio controls. Both have dual front airbags with ABS and brake assist for safety. Both provide remote keyless entry, height adjustable driver seat, front armrest etc. Rapid additionally offers 15inch alloy wheels while city has steel wheels, Rapid offers Automatic climate control with rear AC vents while the City S offers manual air conditioning without rear AC vents. The areas where City is ahead is the engine and performance of the City compared to the Rapid. Rapid Elegance seems to be a better bet compared to City S MT.

Skoda Rapid Ambition AT Vs Honda City 1.5 S MT

Since Rapid offers an Automatic transmission option on the mid end Ambition variant, its priced lower than even the mid end manual transmission option of the City 1.5 S by Rs. 10,000. This brings a new level of advantage for Rapid for budget buyers who want comfort of an Automatic transmission car. Again the con sides of Rapid are the only single air bag, no audio system, smaller 14 inch wheels, lesser power engine, but on the pro side, it has got the comfort of automatic transmission for congested Indian roads, it has got rear AC vents for hot Indian summers and it costs less than the City by a slight margin. So in this case, I would pick Rapid AT as I any day prefer automatic transmission for congested driving compared to the manual, especially when you get triptronic system to intervene whenever you feel the need.

Skoda Rapid Ambition AT Vs Honda City 1.5 V MT

If we compared the top end of Honda City V with manual transmission with the mid end Rapid Ambition automatic, then the price difference is close to Rs. 55,000 and Honda City does come fully loaded, with better features and comfort, but still its manual transmission and Rapid Ambition AT seems like a better value for money.

Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 AT Vs Honda City 1.5 V AT

If we compared the fully loaded Rapid Elegance with automatic transmission, the feature set of Rapid is slightly ahead of Honda City which is pieced at Rs. 38,000 higher than the Rapid. However, City offers pedal shift behind the steering wheel, offers better exterior styling and better powered engine. So in this case, it’s a close call. Both seem to be good valve for their money. If you are inclined more towards features, Rapid will be a better pick at lesser price, but if engine performance is your first priority, the City should be your pick.

Car Blog India verdict – Skoda Rapid Petrol Vs Honda City Petrol

If you are looking for a higher value for money options among the Rapid and City, Rapid seems to be a much better bet across the variants. Even the mid end automatic of the Rapid is cheaper than the mid end manual version of City. However, if you want a fully loaded car with higher engine performance, City will please you better, but it will cost you more as well.

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