Category Average: 1482.0 - 1497.0 cc
City: 1498.0 cc
Category Average: 19.1 kmpl
City: 17.8 - 18.4 kmpl
Category Average: 118.1 bhp
City: 119.0 bhp
The Honda City has long been an esteemed player in the sedan segment since its initial launch. The latest iteration, released on March 2, 2023, presents notable updates that enhance its appeal. Available for purchase in multiple variants, this model caters to a diverse range of preferences among consumers, available in a variety of colour options.
The ex-showroom price of the Honda City ranges from ₹12.28 lakh to ₹16.55 lakh. There are several variants available, which include the SV Petrol MT priced at ₹12,28,000, the V Petrol MT at ₹13,05,000, the VX Petrol MT at ₹14,12,000, the ZX Petrol MT at ₹15,30,000, and higher-end options like the ZX Petrol CVT, priced at ₹16,55,000. All aforementioned prices are ex-showroom.
The newest model of the Honda City was officially launched on March 2, 2023. This update continues to build on the reputation established by its predecessors while introducing enhancements that cater to modern consumer needs.
The Honda City is offered in various variants to provide suitable choices for a wide audience. In total, there are fourteen distinct variants available, including options like the SV Petrol MT, VX Petrol MT, and ZX Petrol MT, among others. In terms of colour options, Honda provides several selections catering to diverse tastes, although the specific colour palette may vary depending on the dealership.
The Honda City features a well-equipped cabin that includes an eight-inch infotainment system offering enhanced capabilities. This model is also fitted with advanced features such as a sophisticated dashboard with a combination of hard and soft-touch materials, ensuring a pleasing aesthetic. The interior includes ample storage options, combining style with practicality. Notable features also comprise Honda's Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which brings additional safety and convenience functionalities to the driving experience.
The Honda City is powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC petrol engine, designed to deliver a smooth and reliable driving experience across various speed ranges. The engine is capable of producing solid performance metrics, enabling it to function effectively both in urban traffic and on open roads. The model supports both manual and automatic transmissions, allowing for flexibility based on driver preference. With specifications suited for both comfort and efficiency, it serves as a commendable option within its segment.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Honda City is reported to achieve approximately 18.4 kilometres per litre, making it a competitive choice among sedans in the market. This efficiency is balanced by the vehicle's performance capabilities, ensuring that consumers receive value on both fronts.
The Honda City maintains a ground clearance that is consistent with its design philosophy, allowing it to navigate various driving conditions adeptly while providing a comfortable ride. The boot space measures an impressive 506 litres, ensuring adequate storage for luggage and other items, thereby catering to the needs of regular travellers.
The seating capacity of the Honda City is designed to comfortably accommodate five passengers, offering sufficient space for both front and rear occupants. This capacity makes it an ideal choice for families and individuals seeking a practical sedan for daily use.
The Honda City includes several safety features aimed at protecting its occupants. Among these are the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that enhance overall safety and driving experience. Further safety provisions may encompass multiple airbags, along with ABS and EBD, ensuring the sedan meets modern safety standards as required by consumers.
In its class, the Honda City faces competition from several notable vehicles including the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia, and Volkswagen Virtus.
Honda City deserves an award for sheer perseverance. First launched in India in 1998, the Honda City has seen astronomical highs and the depths of despair in near equal measure. But through it all, the sedan has continued its foray, evolving gradually to the rapidly changing dynamics of modern-day four-wheeled vehicles. The dawn of 2023 has now brought out the facelift version of the fifth-generation model that was introduced around three years ago.
Here's the first-drive review of the 2023 Honda City:
Honda City was launched early March at a starting price of ₹11.49 lakh. The petrol-only Honda City is offered in four variants - SV, V, VX and ZX - with the prices maxing out at ₹15.97 lakh. There are multiple colour options that have been carried forward but the Obsidian Blue shade is brand new. While the diesel engine option has been dumped, the City e:HEV - strong hybrid - has also received a facelift and is priced at ₹18.89 lakh and ₹20.39 lakh for the two variants. All of these prices are ex-showroom.
As mentioned, the Honda City is offered in multiple colour options but the Obsidian Blue hue truly brings about all the styling updates to the fore. And while these may be cosmetic updates, they still are a welcome change. The latest Honda City, therefore, gets a more prominent grille with honeycomb pattern. The bumpers at the front are also tweaked while the LED headlight units are now the ones that were seen on the City e:HEV when it was first launched last year.
The Honda City has a slightly stretched length - by 35 mm - but it is the design on the 16-inch alloy that is likely to catch max attention. The dual-tone machine-cut alloys give the car a certain flair that has previously been missing. The lower variants, however, will get a comparatively simpler alloy design on the 15-inch wheels.
The update details on the Honda City at the back require a bit more closer inspection for these to be noticed and include a sportier rear bumper. The sedan is touted as the sportiest to look at in its segment by the company and while it is true to some extent, the 2023 Honda City still is far more mature than exuberant in its appearance. And that may be a good thing for many potential buyers.
Honda has always excelled in offering a spacious and well-appointed cabin on the City and the 2023 Honda City carries forward all of these. There is no change as far as the seats, dashboard layout or screens are concerned but the company has added a few more features here.
The addition of a wireless phone charging unit is great but on the petrol-only model, it is a removable tray over the cupholders which needs to be plugged in to the 12V socket when in use. At other times, it can be paced away in the glove box - a little weird considering I won't be able to charge my phone and enjoy my coffee at the same time. But I am still glad Honda has finally woken enough to offer the charging pad. Also glad that the ambient lighting set up has been updated, there is now a PM2.5 air filtration system and wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
None of these feature additions are revolutionary so no real points to Honda for innovation or providing a wow factor. But I would have been bitterly disappointed had these now-essential features been skipped once again and so, kudos.
Elsewhere, the cabin continues to have pleasing upholstery hues, decent levels of space, appreciable seat cushioning and an airy cabin with a conventional sunroof. Honda also says the main infotainment screen has received some technical update to improve the resolution but the problem of the glare persists. The feed from the side and rear cameras too remain rather low-def.
Honda Sense, the company's version of Advanced Driver-Assistance System or ADAS, makes its debut on the petrol-only model. Remember, it was already available in the City e:HEV since last year. Personally, I am not a fan of ADAS in Indian conditions on any car but I will keep my reservations aside for the sake of this review.
Honda Sense, for the uninitiated, makes use of a primary camera on the windshield to scan the road ahead for vehicles, bikes and even pedestrians. On the new Honda City, we tested some of the many features on a secluded stretch of road and found the Collision Mitigation System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control to be functioning on point. The last three highlights were also tested on the Delhi-Agra Taj Expressway during the course of the review. The car continues to give necessary visual warnings to demand your attention so for all those looking to play cards or UNO assuming this is a self-drive vehicle, tread carefully.
2023 Honda City: How is it to drive
Nothing has changed mechanically on the new Honda City and therefore, here is a 1.5-litre petrol engine that is satisfactorily familiar. The only update here is that the engine is now compatible with E20 ethanol-blend fuel. On the move though, the Honda City continues to have its familiar strengths and follies.
The petrol unit still offers 121 hp of max power and 145 Nm of peak torque. On our review unit, the engine was mated to the CVT unit and during the course of our drive within Noida and Greater Noida, the Honda City fared in familiar ways. The sedan has a mature drive character and marches forward instead of racing ahead. As an executive mid-size sedan, this has always been its core strength. The CVT unit ticks the numbers when it needs to and weaving the City in and out of city traffic and over bad roads is fairly easy.
It is when the City is being hustled is where the City gets unnerved. Push the throttle and there is still a fair bit of reluctance to excite the person behind the wheels. The otherwise well composed cabin begins to seep in some of the engine groan and some of the follies of the CVT become evident once again. As pointed out previously - and by many - the Honda City is best for the mature driver but will likely come short for the thrill-seeker.
The Honda City has always been raved about as a no-nonsense sedan that offers a plush ride, spacious cabin and mature looks. Add a bit of sporty flair to the looks and the 2023 Honda City builds on all of these aspects.
To drive the Honda City though is still an exercise in patience because it isn't eager enough to the responses of an eager driver. With the updated Hyundai Verna around the corner and promising a turbo petrol motor, this may be a big factor for many. The Honda City now also renews its rivalry against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus.
Rear AC Vents | Yes |
Airbags | Yes |
Body Type | Sedan |
Max Torque | 145 Nm |
Keyless Entry | Yes |
Mileage | 18.4 kmpl |
Transmission | Manual,Automatic |
Engine | 1498 cc |
Fuel Type | Petrol |
Honda City | ||||
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₹11.82 Lakhs* | ₹11.07 Lakhs* | ₹11.56 Lakhs* | ₹10.34 Lakhs* | ₹12.49 Lakhs* |
User Rating 2 Reviews | User Rating 3 Reviews | User Rating 2 Reviews | User Rating 4 Reviews | User Rating 3 Reviews |
Airbags 6 | Airbags 6 | Airbags 6 | Airbags 6 | Airbags 2 |
Safety Rating* | Safety Rating* | Safety Rating* | Safety Rating* | Safety Rating* |
Power 119 bhp | Power 158 bhp | Power 148 bhp | Power 148 bhp | Power 74 bhp |
Torque 145 Nm | Torque 253 Nm | Torque 250 Nm | Torque 250 Nm | Torque 170 Nm |
Ground Clearance 165 mm | Ground Clearance - | Ground Clearance 179 mm | Ground Clearance 179 mm | Ground Clearance 172 mm |
Length 4583 mm | Length 4535 mm | Length 4561 mm | Length 4541 mm | Length 3993 mm |
Height 1489 mm | Height 1475 mm | Height 1507 mm | Height 1507 mm | Height 1532 mm |
Width 1748 mm | Width 1765 mm | Width 1752 mm | Width 1752 mm | Width 1677 mm |
Turning Radius 5.3 metres | Turning Radius 5.2 metres | Turning Radius 5.05 metres | Turning Radius - | Turning Radius 5.1 metres |
Boot Space 506 litres | Boot Space - | Boot Space 521 litres | Boot Space 521 litres | Boot Space 316 litres |
Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission - |
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