Honda City

Honda City

The Honda City has been the most successful sedan for the company in the Indian market, offering the right combination of brand value, features, looks, and performance. The 5th generation model is now available in the country.

How’s the Design?

The new Honda City retains its sleek and stylish design. However, there is a bigger nose and more chrome along with a wider stance. The headlamps are now LEDs and look flashy along with the DRLs for company. The diamond-cut 16-inch alloy wheels are a nice touch although they are slightly smaller than desired. The design is more global in its appearance if you consider bits like the shoulder line going from the front fender to the tail light and the body creases below the doors and blacked-out taillights with LED components. There is also a spoiler for the boot lid which looks attractive. The grille and narrow air dam now ensure superior aerodynamics according to the company.

How does it perform?

 
The i-VTEC petrol comes from the fourth generation although there is a new head with twin-overhead cams as well. There is slightly more power and the same torque. The engine feels fast and responsive enough to drive and likes being pushed as well. The revs go up to almost 7000 RPM which means a lot of power on tap. The performance however is not as smooth as you would expect owing to the surge of torque lower down on the power band. Yet, the engine is the most powerful in the category and you will love driving it almost endlessly. The smooth gearboxes are also a treat to use, especially the 6-speed manual transmission system. However, the City is not as fast as you feel and is slower than some other rivals. This happens due to the 185-section tyres. Refinement is excellent however with the sedan being silent while idling and also while cruising on the highways. There are almost zero vibrations which is a major feat for Honda. There is a CVT automatic unit which is good for leisurely and refined driving styles. However, despite improvements, it still does not come across as inspiring upon rapid acceleration. The i-DTEC diesel engine is not as good as the petrol although it offers great torque. It sometimes feels a little strained and the 6-speed manual transmission system does not quite make it as effortless to drive as its petrol counterpart. The engine is quite refined and fuel efficiency is also great.

How’s the mileage?

• Diesel Manual- 24.1 kmpl
• Petrol Automatic- 18.4 kmpl
• Petrol Manual- 17.8 kmpl

How’s the driving experience?

The Honda City offers good driving experiences overall with increased rigidity and ultra-high-tensile steel. The car is now lighter by 4.3 kg although kerb weight has increased by 46 kg. The wheelbase remains the same while there is a wider track. The Honda City has good driving dynamics and corners splendidly although there is some body roll along with under-steer setting in sometime earlier than other rivals due to the narrower tyres again. The steering still does not offer as much feedback as you would want. The ride is however plush and undulations and potholes are absorbed well by the suspension system. The refined suspension system makes its presence felt and is one of the best things about the Honda City. There is a lot of ground clearance as well and the steering is weighted much better without being flimsy or excessively lighter. It also makes the City a great car to drive anywhere in the city. Grip is not as much as you want although it will not be an issue.

What’s the interior like?

The Honda City’s interior is all about superior detailing. You will find great placement of things like wing mirrors for example and there is a blind spot in the instrument console that will come on once the left indicator is flipped. This is really handy to say the least. There is great visibility overall and the dashboard looks smart and you get a sunroof with loads of storage spaces inside as well. The City is the benchmark in terms of overall boot space at 506 litres and the back seat is extremely spacious. Knee room and shoulder room have increased further and this is the only sedan where five people can journey together in total comfort. Height has come down slightly for the car although overall headroom has gone up. The front seats are uber comfortable and wide along with offering great visibility and a plush ride.

Tech and Infotainment

There is no wireless charging although you do get a 7 inch digital instrument console and a premium steering wheel. There is an 8-inch touch screen infotainment setup which could have been placed better although it functions nicely and is paired to an eight speaker audio system with Android Auto, Web Link Plus, Apple CarPlay and Alexa. It has 32 connected car technologies via Honda Connect’s app and these include everything from remote start-up and geo-fencing to tracking and a lot more.

Safety Equipment

The Honda City is one of the safest cars in the segment with its 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating and plenty of safety kit including six airbags. It has features like seat-belt warning, child seat anchorages, anti-theft engine immobilizer, speed-sensing door locks, central locking, and a lot more.

Which variant to buy?

The entry-level V variant makes for a decent pick with its 15-inch alloy wheels, LED DRLs and projector headlights. It also comes with the 8 inch touch screen and other connectivity features including Alexa, Honda Connect telematics, keyless entry, climate control, rear AC, engine start/stop button, powered side mirrors, telescopic and tilt steering, rear and front armrests, height adjustment for the driver’s seat and more. It also has four airbags, brake assist, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, ESP, traction control, TPMS, and a rear view camera. That is plenty of kit for those on a budget. The mid-range VX is costlier but you do get the sunroof, curtain airbags, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, eight speakers, and the 7 inch digital instrument cluster and some other additions. The ZX is costlier than the VX but not as much. You get add-ons like automatic LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, dashboard and upholstery touches, remote power window and sunroof functionality, lane-watch camera, automatic folding mirrors, front footwell ambient lights, rear sunshade and four one-touch power windows. The VX variant mostly has everything that you will need although the entry-level version is excellently equipped for the price.

Which cars compete in this segment?

The Honda City competes with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and now the Skoda Slavia and the Volkswagen Virtus. The Honda City has one of the biggest touch screens in the segment while offering great connected car technologies along with Hyundai in the Verna. Yet, it wins brownie points for Alexa integration. The City is excellently equipped with features and so is the Hyundai Verna. The City does miss wireless charging and ventilated front seats like the Verna. Honda has several advantages over most of its rivals. The pricing is close to the Verna and others in the segment while the Ciaz still remains more affordable. However, it does not have as many features as well.