When looking for the best sedan cars, two names come to mind: Toyota Vios and Honda City. A lot may be said but one common thing stands out- no matter how many upgrades they receive, the 1.5 L naturally aspirated engine and curvy creases will always remain. Ignore the colour shades and start by comparing the exteriors as both give different impressions.
To ask this question in a simpler format- Which car is better Honda City or Toyota Vios? While this question seems to an old version, a lot more questions need to be answered. And with more variants still to come, this debate will not end any time soon.
Toyota Vios and Honda City Specs comparison
| Features | Toyota Vios | Honda City |
| Engine | 4-Cylinder, 16-Valve, Dual VVT-I, DOHC | 1.5L Petrol Engine, 4 Cylinder 16 Valve SOHC |
| Torque | 140 NM @ 4200rpm | 120 PS @ 6,000 rpm |
| Engine Displacement | 1496 cc | 1497 cc |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Gear Box | 7-speed | 5-speed |
| Transmission Type | CVT | Manual |
Before giving our honest opinion, we first lay the field bare open for you to be the judge and jury. And to present the case before you, we start by discussing their exterior.
Exterior
We all believe in love at first sight. This is what the Toyota Vios and Honda City exteriors are designed to do. While their approaches are different, nothing seems to be missing. The imagination is the same – make the first impression.
Toyota Vios
The Vios aggressive curvy front seemingly sharpened by the sharp headlights makes it stand from the crowd. Just like its competitor, it comes in numerous colour schemes. Bright and glossy, the subjective colour schemes provide shadowy shades that are appealing. Staring at the skirts on the front and side bumper, the car appears to be sitting lower.
The broad tail lamps below the spoiler stretch on both sides thus giving extra points. Both vehicles come with front fog lights.
Honda City
If the cuts and creases are meant to send imagery shades to the onlookers, they’ve nailed on it. Besides the built-in fog lights, the City is fitted with adjustable headlights to illuminate everywhere you go. To the rally lovers, the rounded facelift inclines more to your side – sporty appearance.
Another striking exterior component rarely noticed are the reflective vertical strips seated in the sculpted rear bumper.
Interior
When comparing the insides of both the sedans, each has a different story to tell, from the steering wheel, seating material to the dashboard. Other than the engine, car interiors immensely determine your driving experience as the comfort and technology is felt from the inside – especially through the controls.
Toyota Vios
No matter how noisy the engine may be nor the degree of vibrations, you’ll enjoy the quiet ambience in the cosy cabin to the end. Unlike the others, Vios dashboard is built of hard plastic that’s nicely tightly fitted together to avoid rattling. Even if the faux stitching on the centrally placed steering when doesn’t attract you, the well-laid infotainment characterized by a few stitching’s near the silver edges will.
As you enjoy the soothing fresh air from the air conditioning system with digital displays and the warmth from the heating system, the tight interior space will disappoint you especially if your height is above six foot.
Honda City
The beautifully stitched and fixed brown leather in the V model on the door trims, seats, centre console and dashboard adds the rich feeling found in hybrid luxury SUVs. Absence of leather in other City varieties doesn’t make them any lesser. The smooth fabric upholstery in seats is up to the standard. Not so much appealing is the shiny hard plastic making the dashboard. Practically, Honda leads in interior instrument distribution – the cup holders and cubby holes.
Coming back to the interior space, Honda City takes the victory. The legroom is more the enough for an average person while for a 6-foot tall occupant, two-three inches will be unoccupied from the headroom. Talking of the boot, City boasts of its 536-litres boot capacity.
Safety
None of these rivals can claim to take the lead by an extreme margin. Whether its airbags, seat belt warnings or emergency braking systems they all have the best. But being not from the same mother, small but significant differences exist.
Toyota Vios
The number airbags in Vios exceeds those in Honda City by one. For maximum protection, the seven airbags are strategically placed to cater for any impact acting on the front and back seat occupants. Toyota Vios features Hill Start Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, traction and stability control and Cruise control. Even though the feature’s functionality may differ, their application principles are the same.
It’s the only Vios 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating that makes it win in this round.
Honda City
While we cannot downplay its safety standards on the account of a missing rating, the safety features tend to level the ground. Almost all safety features in Vios are also in the City.
Performance
To judge a powertrain on 140Nm at 6000rpm or 120Nm at 6000rpm is below average would be undermining these two competitors. This is where the competition gets interesting!
Toyota Vios
Toyota Vios 1.5G has the B-Segment sedan engine that powers 107 PS at 6,000 rpm and transmits 140 Nm at 4,200rpm. Equipped with 4 valves per cylinder powerful engine and 5-speed gearbox, Vios with the assist of Hill Assist System can climb every mountain during your adventure.
Honda City
Sipping more fuel than its counterpart does but economically insignificant, Honda City has stronger pulling power. Producing 120 PS and transmitting 145 Nm, not to include the hybrid variety producing 139 PS and 170 Nm that utilizes a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, Honda City is the outright winner.
The Verdict
Despite Toyota being a household name and carrying some of the best trending cars like the cheaper Toyota Yaris, Vios loses in this battle. Low space and lesser performance are the leading causes for this verdict.
