Diesel Automatics Face-off - Volkswagen Vento V/s Hyundai Verna V/s Skoda Rapid

Pricing

Volkswagen Vento offers 7-speed dual-shift DSG automatic gearbox with 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine in Comfortline and Highline models. The Comfortline model is priced at Rs 10.49 lakh while the Highline is offered at Rs 10.94 lakh. The Fluidic Verna offers 4-speed automatic gearbox in SX and SX Optional model priced at Rs 10.68 lakh and Rs 11.72 lakh respectively. DSG gearbox in Skoda Rapid is offered in three variants, Ambition Plus AT priced at Rs 10.49 Lakh, Elegance AT: Rs 10.84 Lakh and Elegance Black Package AT: Rs 10.97 Lakh. In terms of pricing, the DSG automatic gearbox in both VW Vento and Skoda Rapid starts at the same price range while Verna AT costs more. Speaking about the top end models, Vento and Rapid differs by only Rs 3 thousand while Verna again costs Rs 72 to Rs 75 thousand more.

Exterior

Even though the front profile of Vento is completely changed and now looks similar to the new Polo, the German car is still less appealing than Hyundai Verna. The fluidic design of Verna is a head turner but the same can’t be said for VW Vento while Skoda Rapid is also expected to retain the current profile. Furthermore, the dimension of updated Vento stands as 4,384mm length, 1,699mm width, 1,466mm height and a wheelbase of 2,552mm. Skoda Rapid is longest of all while Verna offers maximum headroom and legroom comfort. Hyundai Verna gets 16-inch alloy wheels as standard while Vento and Rapid moves on 15-inch alloys. Furthermore, the top-end variants of both Verna and Rapid offers projector headlamps while Verna adding more to its external features also embraces LED DRLs, Auto Headlight Control, ORVMs with side blinker and dual exhaust pipes.

Comfort and Interior features

When it comes to interiors, Hyundai Verna gets a fair advantage with trendy and eye catching interior layout and waterfall central console. Automatic climate control is standard in all the three saloons and so is the driver and passenger airbags but Verna also offers side and curtain airbags along with EBD. Moreover, except for the base models, remote control windows are present on Rapid and Vento along with Tilt and Telescopic steering adjustment which is standard in both the VW siblings while only the tilt adjustment is offered in the Korean saloon. Hyundai Verna, oldest among the three in terms of facelift is expected to get a midlife upgrade in few months. Verna may be older, but it is the only car among three to have Smart Key with Push Button Start and auto-dimming IRVM.

Engine and Power Development

Volkswagen Vento ditching the 1.6-litre TDI motor is now offered with fuel efficient 1.5-litre TDI engine which offers a fuel economy of 21.21kmpl. The diesel engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. Vento is also offered with an option of two petrol engine-the 1.2 TSI and the 1.6 MPI engine both developing a power of 103bhp.

While the arch competitor Hyundai Verna is offered with four engine options- 2 petrol and 2 diesel. The diesel model houses either a 1.4-litre or a 1.6-litre engine. The peppier 1.6-litre engine develops a power of 126bhp and peak torque of 260Nm while the 1.4-litre churns a power of 89bhp with max torque of 220Nm. The engine is coupled to six speed manual or four speed automatic gearbox. The diesel automatic offers a fuel economy of 21.9kmpl.

Skoda Rapid facelift launched on 25th September, 2014 shares the same engine specification with updated Vento and even offers the same 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.

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