If you’re the kind of buyer who prefers a mid-size sedan over an SUV, the Skoda Slavia and Honda City come across as formidable choices. Previously, we compared the performance of these sedans, in which the Slavia came out on top. But who takes the crown of being the more fuel-efficient model? We’ve compared the real-world mileage of both sedans in their respective petrol automatic versions to find out.
For full specs, features and a price breakdown, check our Slavia vs City comparison.
Skoda Slavia vs Honda City: Specifications
Skoda Slavia vs Honda City: Specifications | ||
Specifications | Skoda Slavia | Honda City |
Engine | Direct-injection turbo-petrol | Naturally aspirated petrol |
Displacement (cc) | 999 | 1,498 |
Power (hp) | 110 | 121 |
Torque (Nm) | 178 | 145 |
Drive layout | FWD | FWD |
Gearbox | 8AT | CVT |
Kerb weight (kg) | 1,234-1,258 | 1,144-1,168 |
Fuel tank (litres) | 45 | 40 |
The Skoda Slavia and Honda City couldn’t be more mechanically different from each other. The Slavia gets a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. Meanwhile, the City uses a larger 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol mill. The Honda is more powerful, but the Skoda delivers 33 Nm more torque. Both send power to the front wheels via different gearboxes: an 8-speed torque converter automatic on the Slavia and a 7-step CVT on the City. The Slavia’s fuel tank is 5 litres larger, but it is also up to 90kg heavier than the City.
Skoda Slavia vs Honda City: Real-world fuel efficiency
Despite claiming to offer better fuel-efficiency figures, the Slavia is pipped by the City in overall real-world efficiency. The City delivered 13.30kpl on average in our assessment, while the Slavia wasn’t too far behind at 12.06kpl. In the city, the Honda outdid the Skoda by 1.37kpl, but the gap narrowed on the highway to 1.1kpl. The Slavia’s lower figures can be attributed to its higher kerb weight and the ambient temperature exceeding 40deg C on the day of testing, which made the AC work harder and affected efficiency. Though the City misses out on an auto engine start/stop function that is present on the Slavia, it gets an ‘ECON’ mode that prioritises fuel economy.
Skoda Slavia vs Honda City: Prices
Skoda Slavia vs Honda City: Prices and variants | ||
Skoda Slavia | Honda City | |
Petrol automatic price range (in Rs lakh) | 12.49-17.29 | 14.51-17.36 |
No. of variants | 5 | 3 |
Considering the petrol-automatic options, the Slavia is more affordable and available in more variants. It costs Rs 2.02 lakh less than the City at the base level and Rs 6,000 less at the top end.
Autocar India’s fuel-efficiency testing
Before our real-world fuel-efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, operating the air conditioner and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.