2014 Nissan Sunny Road Test

Nissan has just launched the updated version of the Sunny. While the Sunny already offered great space and comfort, it really lost out to rivals when it came to good looks and equipment levels. Now, the Japanese automaker has learnt a thing or two and finally corrected all the shortcomings of its caaaaar. The new Sunny looks promising as ever and the competition between the Nissan Sunny, Ford Fiesta, Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento is surely going to be one interesting fight.

The Nissan Sunny petrol is powered by a 1.5-litre engine producing 99 PS of power and 134 Nm of torque. The engine is either mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or an X-Tronic CVT transmission. The diesel powerplant is a 1.5-litre k9k unit giving out 86 PS of power and 200 Nm of torque. The Sunny’s USPs are space and comfort and now the updated version is pretty loaded too. The Sunny also gets the famed Japanese reliability factor. Where Nissan needs to work on is increasing its network by opening more dealerships and service stations.

Ford launched the 2014 Fiesta just a couple of weeks back. The sedan gets only a diesel engine while no petrol variants are offered now. The oil burner is capable of producing 89 BHP of power and 204 Nm of torque. While the Fiesta lacks on space, it really scores well when it comes to looks and equipment levels.

Honda City, the vehicle that has been the market leader for the longest time. Honda launched the fourth generation City in 2013 and it comes with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. While the petrol engine gives out 119 PS of power and 145 Nm of torque, the diesel engine generates 100 PS of power and 200 Nm of torque. The City petrol is also offered with a 7-step CVT gearbox. The City comes with good features and there is no doubt about the vehicle’s reliability. Honda has a good service network in India and the Japanese brand also commands a good snob value here.

Hyundai offers two engines for both petrol and diesel versions of the Verna. The 1.4-litre petrol engine develops 107 PS of power and 135 Nm of torque and the 1.6-litre petrol engine generates 123 PS of power and 158 Nm of torque. The latter engine is also offered with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.4-litre oil burner churns out 90 PS of power and 220 Nm of torque and the 1.6-litre diesel engine generates 128 PS of power and 259 Nm of torque. The Verna offers good looks, nice features while Hyundai’s after-sales service is also good in India.

Finally, we have the Volkswagen Vento. The Vento comes with three engines – 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine and 1.6-litre diesel engine. The petrol engines generate 105 PS of power and torque is rated at 153 Nm and 175 Nm respectively. The TSI engine comes mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. The diesel engine offers 103 BHP of power and 250 Nm of torque. The Vento scores high on drivability and dynamics but it lacks in the after-sales department.

Nissan Sunny vs Ford Fiesta vs Honda City vs Hyundai Verna vs Volkswagen Vento – Diesel Price Comparison

Sunny vs Fiesta vs City vs Verna vs Vento

Nissan Sunny vs Ford Fiesta vs Honda City vs Hyundai Verna vs Volkswagen Vento – Petrol Price Comparison

Sunny vs City vs Verna vs Vento
*all prices are on-road, Mumbai

Looking at the pricing for diesel variants, it is clear that the Ford Fiesta is the cheapest followed by the Nissan Sunny, Volkswagen Vento, Honda City and Hyundai Verna. For petrol variants, the Sunny is priced lowest and it is followed by the Verna 1.4, City, Vento and Verna 1.6.

2014 Ford Fiesta Test Drive Review

Honda City vs Hyundai Verna vs Volkswagen Vento