So I wanted to pen a few words down comparing my old Civic with new ride the Verna. I know it's not a fair comparison and as per segments are concerned the said vehicles are from different from each other viz engine size etc. All my humble opinions.
Space Management.
I find the Civic had better space management on the inside. There is more space to store my stuff like water bottles etc. I had to move certain items like the inflator pump to the trunk in the Verna since it would gobble up space in the Verna's front center console. In the Civic the console was deep enough to swallow the pump and more other items. I struggle daily to keep my mobile and other items like my office ID card which I have to display at the gate. No such efforts were required in the Civic.
Speed Masking capabilities.
While driving the Civic I would find that I would reach 80 to 90 easily and the car would not seem to be travelling at such speeds and would seem stable and composed while driven fast. Now the Verna D is no slouch and can reach high speeds easily and was the reason why I settled for it as a replacement for the Civic but it does not feel as stable as the Honda. Once it seemed I was travelling at great speed because the car was pitching a bit but when I looked at the speedo it was a mere 60-70 Kmph. The Civic being a wider car handled better.
No drama.
Put your right foot down in the Verna and there is no growl or howl or whatever. Just increase in the err diesel clatter thing and away she goes. In the Civic you guys know what happens. "IVtec kicked in Yo"
Occupant Space.
While in the Verna whenever I had a passenger next to me I would end up elbowing the fellow while changing gears etc. No such issue in the Civic. The Honda was spaced wide apart and each person had sufficient space for his her disposal. The rear of the Verna also is a bit cramped while the Civic's rear seat was like a sofa cum arm-chair.
Ease of Drive.
Here is where the Verna scores. It's much lighter steering and smaller size makes it comfortable to drive in my narrow and crowded street. The car is much squeezable in constricted lanes and one feels at ease while driving in traffic conditions.
Brakes.
Both cars are equal. I cannot tell the difference that the Verna has drum brakes at the rear while the Civic had discs all round. Both are equally terrible or good. But considering the Civic has all discs it should have done better.
Better Fuel efficiency
In the Civic during my night shifts I would get the best mileage around 13 kmpl in Petrol mode. In the Verna my daily drive with clogged evening roads I am averaging 17 kmpl. I am quite sure it would do better on highway runs but I have not yet got the chance to do so yet.
Looking forward to ease of maintenance.
Civic's spares were exorbitantly priced. I have paid bills around 29K for repairs and stuff. Though I am yet to experience Hyundai service ( I have just completed the first one at cost 0 Rs) I hope and pray I never see such large bills from Hyundai.
No longer the D segment owner.
I no longer get the "Salam" I would get driving a D segment"big" car. Yes the Verna does has some class but in India big car is big car. I now find that other vehicles like rickshaw etc would come driving close to the Verna than they would in the Civic. Maybe the size has something to do with it? I would get nervous driving close to an large BMW etc.
So overall I feel the downgrade pinch while driving the Verna from the Civic but the latter with it's myriad problems like leaking rack, power steering pump, hydraulic mount, lower arm joints getting kaput every two years, failing cooling coil etc I decided it was not worth the trouble. In these age of high fuel prices and increasing traffic conditions I find it's better to have a smaller vehicle than a larger one especially one which is used daily for long distances. The upcoming Civic is even larger than the current one and probably will be even more expensive to buy and maintain when parts are needed. But you never know what the heart would do as in the end the heart is still set on the I-VTEC