Skoda Rapid vs Volkswagen Vento vs Hyundai Verna: Diesel automatic spec comparison

The Skoda Rapid and the Volkswagen Vento have lost considerable ground in the Rs 10 lakh price bracket car space this year. A new Honda City made it tough and if that wasn’t enough, the Maruti Ciaz is coming up soon for a knock-out punch. So the two cars have equipped themselves with some new arsenal to sustain some body blows and land some of their own. With a new 7-speed DSG gearbox mated to the 1.5-litre diesel engine, the Rapid and Vento have become serious contenders in the C-segment. We compare them with the only other diesel automatic in this range, the Hyundai Verna, in this spec comparison. 

Engine and Gearbox:

The Skoda Rapid and Vento get the new 1.5-litre diesel engine. It’s the same 1.6 with 2.5mm shorter bores and valves. A 100cc deficit doesn’t reduce its power and torque figures. At 105PS and 250Nm they are identical. The Verna develops a healthier 128PS of power and 260Nm of torque. The VW and Skoda siblings now get a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox mated to the diesel though. The DSG (VW’s term for dual clutch units) is borrowed from the 1.2-litre TSI and is much more modern than the sluggish 4-speed automatic that the Verna diesel has. It shows in the efficiency of the two cars too. The Rapid and Vento are more efficient at 21.66 and 21.21 respectively while the Verna returns 19.08kmpl. 

Size and Space: 

There’s very little to separate the three with an almost identical size in all dimensions. Even boot space is around the same. The Rapid and the Vento though get a slider at the rear to move the front seat forward. If there’s any consolation price, this is it with the added bit of convenience. About 18mm of extra wheelbase in the Verna is what goes in the Hyundai’s favour. The Rapid and the Vento get a marginally lower 168mm ground clearance compared to 170mm in the Verna. The Verna is also lighter than its European competitors.

Features: 

Here is where the Verna scores. The Verna gets leather seats, folding ORVMs a rear parking camera and push button start/stop over its rivals. The Vento offers leatherette seats, slightly premium than fabric but can be uncomfortable in hot climates. Rapid gets fabric seats only. 

Price: 

The lack of features gives Skoda and Volkswagen the opportunity to undercut the Verna on the price front despite offering a more modern and expensive 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. A mid spec trim of the Vento is about Rs 30,000 cheaper than the Verna and the top end Vento is a full Rs 78,000 cheaper. The Rapid is Rs 15,000 cheaper than the Vento in the mid-spec variant and Rs 10,000 cheaper in the top-end variant.