The Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and Volkswagen Virtus are regarded as the best alternatives to the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz available in India. The City offers more refinement, rear-seat comfort, and hybrid efficiency; the Verna features better performance and more technologies compared to the Ciaz, whereas the Virtus features turbo-petrol motors among other features.
The Ciaz was discontinued in India in 2025, so buyers considering it today will generally be looking at remaining dealer stock or used examples rather than a current new-car line-up. Before discontinuation, the Ciaz was priced from around ₹9.09 lakh to ₹11.88 lakh ex-showroom and used a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing about 105 PS and 138 Nm. Its spacious rear seat, 510-litre boot, mild-hybrid technology, and claimed mileage of up to 20.65 km/l made it a comfortable and efficient sedan, but newer rivals now offer more power, safety technology, and features.
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Price and Mileage Comparison with Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The Ciaz used to be one of the cheaper cars in the midsize segment before it became unavailable in the market. Although the new cars in its place have higher prices, they offer more advanced architecture, better engines, modern automatic transmissions, and improved safety and comfort.
| Car | Ex-showroom Price Range | Fuel Type | Claimed Mileage |
| Maruti Suzuki Ciaz | ₹9.09 – ₹11.88 lakh* | Petrol | 20.65 km/l MT; 20.04 km/l AT |
| Honda City | ₹12.00 – ₹21.00 lakh | Petrol, Strong Hybrid | 17.8 – 18.4 km/l petrol; 27.26 km/l hybrid |
| Hyundai Verna | ₹10.99 – ₹18.41 lakh | Petrol | Around 18.6 – 20.6 km/l |
| Volkswagen Virtus | ₹10.71 – ₹19.20 lakh | Petrol | 18.70 – 20.19 km/l |
*The Ciaz price range refers to its last listed ex-showroom prices before discontinuation.
Top Alternatives of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz in India
Honda City
The Honda City becomes one of the closest alternatives to the Ciaz as both of these sedans are meant for buyers who seek a car with high comfort, spaciousness, and a smooth engine for a long-distance journey. Currently, the Honda City is equipped with a 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine capable of producing 121 PS and 145 Nm. It can be combined with either a six-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission.
Honda also offers the City e: HEV strong hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with an electric drive system and delivers a claimed 27.26 km/l. The current 2026 City range starts at around ₹12 lakh and includes updated styling, larger infotainment, ventilated front seats on higher variants, and Honda Sensing ADAS.
Why it is better than Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The City is a better choice for buyers who want a new sedan that is equipped with the latest safety and convenience technology. Honda Sensing technology provides features such as adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and road departure mitigation, which have never been offered in the Ciaz.
Its petrol engine is also more powerful, while the CVT is smoother and more modern than the Ciaz’s old four-speed automatic. The City e: HEV takes efficiency much further, with its 27.26 km/l claim comfortably beating the Ciaz. Rear-seat comfort remains another major City strength, making it well suited to buyers who appreciated the Ciaz primarily for its spacious, chauffeur-friendly cabin.
Price Comparison: Honda City vs. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
Although the City is priced higher than its counterpart, the Ciaz, it offers plenty of additional features and a hybrid configuration for those who seek it.
| Variant | Honda City | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz |
| Base-variant | Around ₹12.00 lakh | Around ₹9.09 lakh |
| Mid-variant | Around ₹13.3 – ₹16.3 lakh | Around ₹9.65 – ₹10.82 lakh |
| Top-variant | Up to ₹21.00 lakh | Around ₹11.88 lakh |
Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying a Honda City
Hyundai Verna
The Hyundai Verna is an alternative to the Ciaz, which is aimed at high performance and innovative technologies. The 2026 model comes with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that can deliver 115 PS and 143.8 Nm. There is also a 1.5L turbo engine available with 160 PS and 253 Nm. The petrol engine can be combined with a six-speed manual or IVT, while the turbo engine can be mated with either a manual or a seven-speed DCT transmission.
The Verna’s 2,670 mm wheelbase helps create a spacious cabin, while higher versions add dual 10.25-inch displays, premium audio, ventilated and heated seats, connected-car technology, and an extensive safety package.
Why it is better than Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
When it comes to performance, the Verna is clearly better than the Ciaz. Even the naturally aspirated petrol engine of the Verna has better performance qualities than the Ciaz. The 160 PS turbo-petrol is quite a different level in terms of acceleration and overtaking capabilities. Customers who found the Ciaz okay, but not thrilling, will get such a difference.
The Verna also offers far more safety technology. Higher variants get Level 2 ADAS, while the 2026 update adds advanced equipment such as a dashcam, electronic parking brake, and additional airbags on selected trims. The Ciaz remains attractive as a spacious used sedan, but the Verna is better suited to buyers wanting a modern midsize sedan.
Price Comparison: Hyundai Verna vs. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
Starting at ₹2 lakh more than Ciaz’s old introductory price, the Verna goes up significantly with turbo DCT versions.
| Variant | Hyundai Verna | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz |
| Base-variant | Around ₹10.99 lakh | Around ₹9.09 lakh |
| Mid-variant | Around ₹13.2 – ₹16.1 lakh | Around ₹9.65 – ₹10.82 lakh |
| Top-variant | Up to ₹18.41 lakh | Around ₹11.88 lakh |
Also Read: Complete Guide on Buying a Hyundai Verna
Volkswagen Virtus
Buying the Volkswagen Virtus makes sense for someone who is looking for a fun sedan but is still interested in practicality. The car is being offered with a 1.0-litre TSI that generates 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque, along with a 1.5-litre TSI producing 150 PS and 250 Nm. There are options of a six-speed manual, six-speed torque converter automatic, and seven-speed DSG gearbox.
The Virtus is 4,561 mm long, has a 2,651 mm wheelbase, and provides a 521-litre boot, slightly larger than the Ciaz’s already useful 510-litre luggage compartment. Its 179 mm unladen ground clearance also makes it easier to use on uneven roads than many conventional sedans.
Why it is better than Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The Virtus is much more fun to drive compared to the Ciaz. In terms of torque and acceleration, the turbo engines of the Virtus are way superior to the naturally aspirated petrol engine of the Ciaz, as the 1.5 TSI makes as much as 250 Nm of torque, which provides better mid-range acceleration and makes overtaking on the highway much easier.
Safety is another important advantage. The Virtus carries a five-star Global NCAP rating for both adult and child occupant protection, whereas the Ciaz received a one-star adult occupant rating under the newer Global NCAP protocol. The Virtus also offers six airbags as standard, ESC, and more modern cabin technology. It costs more, but it represents a substantial upgrade in performance, safety, and overall engineering.
Price Comparison: Volkswagen Virtus vs. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The Virtus starts above the Ciaz’s final price range and extends much higher with the 1.5 TSI DSG.
| Variant | Volkswagen Virtus | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz |
| Base-variant | Around ₹10.71 lakh | Around ₹9.09 lakh |
| Mid-variant | Around ₹13.5 – ₹16.3 lakh | Around ₹9.65 – ₹10.82 lakh |
| Top-variant | Up to ₹19.20 lakh | Around ₹11.88 lakh |
Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying a Volkswagen Virtus
Summary
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz proved itself to be a spacious, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and valuable solution. These features are still important in used vehicles that are in good shape, but buyers looking for new midsize sedans have a lot of modern options ever since the Ciaz was discontinued.
Choose the Honda City for refinement, rear-seat comfort, and hybrid efficiency, the Hyundai Verna for powerful engines and premium technology, or the Volkswagen Virtus for performance, safety, and driving dynamics. All three cost more than the Ciaz did, but they also deliver major improvements in equipment, safety, and powertrain technology.
Related Blogs:
Honda City Alternatives: Competitors of Honda City
Hyundai Verna Alternatives: Competitors of Hyundai Verna
Volkswagen Virtus Alternatives: Competitors of Volkswagen Virtus
FAQs About Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Alternatives
Q. Is the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz still available in India?
No. Maruti Suzuki discontinued the Ciaz in India in 2025. Buyers may still find used examples, but it is no longer part of Maruti Suzuki’s current new-car range.
Q. What are the best alternatives to the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz?
The Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and Volkswagen Virtus are three strong current alternatives to the Ciaz.
Q. Which Ciaz alternative offers the best mileage?
The Honda City e: HEV offers the highest claimed efficiency at 27.26 km/l. Among conventional petrol sedans, the Virtus and Verna are competitive with the Ciaz.
Q. Which is more powerful, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz or Hyundai Verna?
The Hyundai Verna is more powerful in turbo form. Its 1.5-litre turbo produces 160 PS and 253 Nm, while the Ciaz produces around 105 PS and 138 Nm.
Q. Which Ciaz alternative has the biggest boot?
The Volkswagen Virtus offers 521 litres of boot space, slightly more than the Ciaz’s 510 litres. The Honda City and Hyundai Verna also offer practical luggage capacity.
Q. Is a used Maruti Suzuki Ciaz still worth buying?
A used Ciaz can still make sense for buyers prioritising rear-seat space, comfort, fuel efficiency, and a relatively affordable purchase price. However, newer alternatives offer much better safety technology, performance, and features.
