New Honda City 2011 Vs Skoda Rapid Petrol– Which Sedan Is Better And Why?

New Honda City 2011 is a more worthy competitor now in its segment with a lower end corporate version which comes will fully loaded safety features. In continuation to our car comparison series on Car Blog India , in this article I will compare the New Honda City 2011 6th Generation with the recently launched Skoda Rapid Petrol which is a sibling of popular Volkswagen Vento . We have already compared the new Honda City with some other popular cars in this segment here –

New Honda City 2011 Exteriors Vs Skoda Rapid Exteriors

image – New Honda City 2011 (left) and Skoda Rapid (right)

2011 Honda City Dimensions

Overall Length 4440 mm
Overall Width 1695 mm
Overall Height 1485 mm
Wheelbase 2550 mm

Skoda Rapid Dimensions:

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

In terms of dimensions, the new City stands very close to Skoda Rapid with just a few millimeters here and there in overall dimensions. The new Honda City looks more appealing than the previous one and has more sporty looks.

The Rapid on the other hand is signature Skoda styling with simple and elegant masculine stance. While both cars have their own visual appeal in terms of exterior styling, I prefer Honda City better because of its modern styling and sharp character lines with pleasing aesthetics.

New Honda City 2011 Interiors Vs Skoda Rapid Interiors

image-2011 Honda City Interior

image – Skoda Rapid Interiors

image – Skoda Rapid Top View

The interiors of new Honda City 2011 are very pleasing and improved over the old version. The quality of plastics is good, the colour tone is appealing, there are plenty of features, one very exclusive feature is the option of an electric sun roof and other is cruise control feature. However, some features like automatic climate control are missing from even the top end variant.

Skoda Rapid on the other end is a simple and elegant car with features like rear AC vents, lever to adjust the front passenger seat from rear seat, automatic climate control etc. On a bigger level, I find Honda City more sporty and appealing on the interiors.

New Honda City 2011 Petrol Engine Vs Skoda Rapid Petrol Engine

2011 Honda City Petrol Engine

SOHC 4 Cylinder 16 Valve i-VTEC VVTI Engine
PGM-FI 1.5 Litre MPFI Petrol Engine
Displacement 1497 CC
Max Power of 118 BHP @ 6600 RPM
Max Torque of 145 Nm @ 4800 RPM
5 Speed Manual Transmission or 5 Speed Automatic with Grade Logic Control with torque converter
ARAI tested mileage of 16.8 KMPL
Kerb Weight: 1085 to 1160 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 105.5 BHP per 1000 Kg

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

With better power, power to weight ratio and better fuel economy, Honda is a clear winner in terms of Petrol engine it offers.

New Honda City 2011 Petrol Handling and Performance Vs Skoda Rapid Petrol Handling and Performance

Both cars handle quite brilliantly with a well tuned suspensions. Honda is well known for its handling on the City and Skoda has also done a good job on suspensions of Rapid. In handling and ride comfort, I would call it a tie.

New Honda City 2011 Petrol Price Vs Skoda Rapid Petrol Price

New Honda City price in India Ex-Showroom Delhi:

Honda City 2011 Corporate MT is prices at Rs. 6.99 Lakhs
Honda City 2011 E MT is prices at Rs. 7.70 Lakhs
Honda City 2011 S MT is prices at Rs. 8.20 Lakhs
Honda City 2011 V MT is prices at Rs. 8.70 Lakhs
Honda City 2011 V AT is prices at Rs. 9.42 Lakhs
Honda City 2011 V MT with Sunroof is prices at Rs. 9.50 Lakhs
Honda City 2011 V AT with Sunroof is prices at Rs. 10.22 Lakhs

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

Honda City 2011 Corporate MT Vs Skoda Rapid Active 1.6 MPI Petrol MT

With the base variant of Rapid priced Rs. 24,000 below the base corporate Honda City, the City comes with dual SRS Airbags, ABS and EBD, better engine performance, etc. City also gets larger 15 inch wheels compared to 14 inch wheels of Rapid. For base variant, it makes more sense to spend extra and go for City.

Honda City 2011 Corporate MT Vs Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 MPI Petrol MT

Comparing the base corporate variant of the Honda City with second variant Ambition of the Rapid, we notice that Rapid comes with remote control keyless entry system, front fog lamps, dual tone interiors, driver seat height adjustment, 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. Skoda Rapid does cost Rs. 10,000 more than the City corporate, and comes with more features. It looks like a better car in terms of features, but in terms of performance, City is better. You can decide on which factor matters more for you.

Honda City 2011 E MT Vs Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MPI Petrol MT

If we go top end on Rapid MT, the Elegance, and compare with second from bottom E Variant of Honda City, the Rapid is Rs. 29,000 costlier. City E compare to City Corporate adds body coloured door handles, outside mirrors, Beige interiors, silver finish on AC knobs, Integrated Audio system with 2speakers only and speed volume control, aluminum finish central console etc. While the Rapid top end variant adds 15 inch alloy wheels, passenger side airbag (which city already has), 2 din audio system, automatic climate control, 4 speakers, Aux-in and SD/MMC card support, electrically adjustable outside mirrors. The areas where Rapid is ahead is alloy wheels, rear AC vents, automatic climate control, driver seat height adjust, fog lamps, 4 speakers (city has just 2 on this variant), keyless entry etc. In terms of features, the Rapid is a very good value for money for this extra cost, but again, if engine and performance is your key criterion, then city is better, else Rapid is a better value for money in this variant.

Honda City 2011 S MT Vs Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MPI Petrol MT

Going one variant up on Honda City S, it adds alloy wheels, more chrome on the interiors, steering mounted audio controls, rear speakers, stereo system remote control, driver seat height adjustment, more sporty steering with silver finish, more chrome on hand brake lever, keyless entry system, front armrest, coat hangers, seat pockets behind front passenger seat etc. This is a high value addition for a price difference of Rs. 50,000 between City E and City S. Comparing it with Skoda Rapid Elegance MT which comes Rs. 21,000 cheaper, the City has steering mounted audio controls, sport steering wheel, seat pockets behind driver seat etc. which it offers over the Rapid. Along with the features, City also offer more refined and efficient Engine also. However, city lags behind Rapid in terms of Automatic climate control and rear AC vents which Skoda offers. In totality, City looks like a better deal overall here besides slightly higher price.

Honda City 2011 S MT Vs Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 MPI Petrol AT

Skoda offers mid end Ambition with an automatic transmission which is a 6 speed transmission with triptronic gear shifting. If we compare it with the City S, the Rapid lags behind by one airbag, however, Rapid offers rear AC vents with an efficient automatic transmission system which adds to a lot of comfort in driving. Rapid being Rs. 11,000 cheaper and with an Automatic gearbox is definitively a better deal for people seeking a comfortable driving experience in congested traffic.

Honda City 2011 V MT Vs Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MPI Petrol AT

Going by the price band, Honda City top end V with manual transmission is priced at just Rs. 29,000 lower to the top end Rapid with an automatic transmission gearbox. Honda V variant compared to the S variant offers 10 spoke new design alloy wheels, tweeters in the audio system and most importantly, the Cruise Control feature. The Rapid Elegance AT on the other hand offers Automatic climate control, rear AC vents, comfortable 6 speed automatic transmission system with triptronic manual intervention system. For a price difference of just Rs. 29,000, Rapid makes more sense as it offers more comfortable Automatic transmission option.

Honda City 2011 V AT Vs Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 MPI Petrol AT

Honda City V AT is price Rs. 43,000 higher than the Skoda Rapid Elegance AT, but it additionally offers cruise control system, better fuel economy, better engine performance, paddle shift behind the steering wheel, better aesthetic and interior quality. If you are looking for a good performance automatic transmission car, its worth to spend extra bucks and get a City. However if you are looking for lower price and high value, you can go for Rapid. In my opinion, City V AT is a better pick.

Car Blog India verdict – New Honda City 2011 Petrol Vs Skoda Rapid Petrol

In most of the variants, Honda City comes out to be a better pick because of the performance, better aesthetics and safety features. However, if you are looking for a value for money car, Rapid is a better options, especially the Ambition AT if you are looking for an affordable Automatic sedan with good features. So for better looks, performance and safety, pick City, for value for money on features, pick Rapid.

check out more-