Honda City

Honda City to get 1.5L i-DTEC of Amaze

03 December, 2012: Japanese carmaker in India, Honda, will soon unleash its decade old sedan Honda City in a diesel avatar. And the ruler under the hood will be none other than 1.5L i-DTEC powertrain, which developed by means of in-house esteemed project called ‘Earth Dreams Technology’. With this introduction that is expected by early 2014 it will provide tough times to Hyundai Verna, Nissan Sunny and Skoda Rapid. As per the reports, this engine is none other than the one that will soon be seen powering the awaited Honda Amaze sedan by early or amid next year.

Honda City CNG launched at Rs 9.03 lakh

23 October, 2012: Striving for better sales this festive season the petrol engine of City gets the company of Honda City CNG. The awaited variant will surely plug-in the gap of diesel-run motor to certain extent. At this point, Honda has not only launched CNG variant of City but also optional accessory in guise of ‘AVN package’ that consists of features like touch-screen infotainment, Navigation with audio-visual, DVD player with USB/iPod/Aux-in connectivity, Bluetooth alongside leather wrapped steering and gear knob.

Honda City Price with CNG Kit and AVN Pack

The CNG specific City variant i.e. V MT model is tagged at Rs 9.03 lakh alongside additional cost of Rs 50,200 for CNG kit that makes up total cost of Rs 9.53 lakh (ex showroom Delhi). Furthermore the same model with AVN accessory package costs Rs 9.72 lakh, albeit the Honda City V AT with AVN comes at Rs 10.46 lakh. Hence for the new AVN accessory company is charging Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000.  The additional benefits with launch of Honda City CNG are low running costs compared to petrol, very less carbon foot-print, optimized I-VTEC powertrain, and warranty of 40,000 kilometers/24 months, whichever is earlier.

* CNG Kit price- Rs. 50200 + installation charges

* Audio Visual Navigation Grade (AVN) charges around Rs. 70,000 to Rs 80,000.

Honda City Diesel

After the huge success of Honda City petrol version in India, the recent update claims that Honda is mulling to launch the diesel version of the popular sedan of India. If reports are to be believed, the Honda City Diesel will be equipped with a powerful 1.4 litre, 110 bhp diesel engine clubbed with a 5 speed gearbox. Other features is reported to be the same as the petrol version but yes, the fuel efficiency will be increased and the cost of per kilometer running reduces as compared to the petrol fuel. As far as the pricing of the Honda City Diesel is concerned, it might be carrying a price tag of around Rs 11 lakh or so.

Honda City Review by Expert

The Honda City sedan was initially launched in the year 1998 at that point it actually redefined the word ‘sedan’ with its sophisticated looks and optimum features in the interiors along with premium-ness oozing out. Soon after its launch it became a hot favorite of elite class and dream for a hatchback owner.

It got many face lifts since then, the latest one it got was at the start of the year 2012. As far as the new additions are concerned, the car has got new chrome grille, updated bumpers, all new 10 spoke alloy wheels, improved ground clearance that is 165 mm now, new fabric seats, center control panel, chrome fittings, blue light meter, ORVM mounted blinkers and cruise control. The stunning new Honda City has been added with two new hues including sparkling brown metallic and carnelian pearl. Moreover company has added Honda City CNG variant along with a hi-tech ‘AVN’ package version that holds latest gadgetry and premium leather seats.   

The aerodynamic styling or precisely the arrow shot form lends it a distinct look and tears the wind to give you effortless cruising. The swept off nose and its elements such as the front grille and head lights make for an unforgettable piece of art in motion. The head lights in particular incorporate a blackened sub reflector unit that renders a sharp image and sophistication to the entire front look. The side view of the Honda City is no less as its unique appearance is both unforgettable and easy recognisable. The slightly upped rear gives City its unique look. The edges here have been styled to leap forward making it appear a bit smaller and the rest of the car massive.

The interior of the Honda City is a class apart. It’s relaxing and serene interior takes you to your ‘happy place’, calming your nerves. Aptly named as the Honda City, it wraps you in its peaceful blanket amidst the noise of the city. The City takes you to your destination while you lounge in its swanky and comfortable cabin.

The comfort features of the Honda City include Steering Wheel that has mounted audio controls through which you can set your preference with a simple touch of a button within reach of your finger tips; the advanced audio system lets you lug in any external device of your choice such as Mp3 player, pen drive, i-pod etc. the height adjustable steering wheel of Honda City makes it very convenient for driver of any height to drive. The centre console including the leather wrapped gear shift knob blends seamlessly with the interiors; the instrument panel with an opulent metallic tone incorporates an illuminated speedometer and fuel tank that become easily visible. The overall interior is in dual tone including the dashboard that adds hints of style to the overall look of the car.

Powered by the refined 1.5L, 1497cc, i-VTEC engine it’s now also available in Honda City CNG choice. The petrol motor generates a maximum power 118 PS of alongside top torque of 146 Nm.     

Honda, known for its ‘safety comes first’ motto has designed the Honda City with some of the best safety features. Packed with active and passive features, City offers ABS (Anti Lock Braking System) that halts the car without locking the wheel to maneuver the car in emergency situations, EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), Dual SRS airbags that inflate within nanoseconds in case of high impact collision and gradually deflate to prevent chest and head injuries; G Force Control Technology controls or regulates the impact during a crash and minimizes it in such a brilliant way that both the passengers and the other vehicle. The body of the Honda City also ensures maximum safety to pedestrians as well, making the car an A-lister with car buyers.
 

Honda City Rivals

Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Verna are the two latest sensations that are on the verge of eating away the space of decade old sleek-sedan Honda City. You need to properly make up your mind, whether to opt for an elegant sedan like City or glamorous ones, such as Fiesta or Verna. If searching for gorgeous face, Verna or Fiesta are all yours because of their globally acclaimed design ideology that is observed flowing all around the body. On the other hand, if your interests are better drivability and nimbleness of the power train along with practical and professional appearing sedan, then City is made for you.

One noteworthy point is to be mentioned and that is nothing can match the promptness, smoothness and agility of 1.5L i-VTEC petrol motor. Besides designing inside-out, the features in the new age sedans are more against the limited yet proficient in Honda City. There is not much of difference on the price portion; both are more or less same. One USP with the City is the exceptional looking ‘Sunroof’, which is a segment first and not available with any of the entry level premium sedans in India. But with restriction of petrol motor, Honda City lacks a bit in terms of choice for the car buyers in India. However, with the recent introduction of Automatic Transmission (AT) version it has fittingly tried to quiver its rivals. On the other hand, Hyundai Verna has loads of engine choice with smaller and bigger capacities along with option of AT, while American sedan Ford Fiesta is no behind with class leading PowerShift version in its petrol-run model.

Honda City Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The all new Honda City gives a decent mileage of about 12.5 kmpl in the city whereas delivers around 16.7 kmpl on the highways. However, the variant with automatic transmission being a bit more expensive is capable of delivering a mileage of about 11 kmpl within the city and around 15 kmpl on the highways. Now with the lately launched Honda City CNG there will be lesser burden on the pockets of City fans as with greener fuel it returns a good fuel economy of 15-16 km/kg and 18-19 km/kg in city and highway conditions respectively. The statistics reveal an overall good mileage of Honda City sedan even with the absence of desired diesel mill. After joining of City CNG, to the array, the entry of Honda City diesel is also not far away.

Honda City Models and Features

Compare Honda City Models

Honda City Colors

The New Honda City comes to your town not only with its ultra refined engine and focused looks but with some exuberant shades too. On the whole the Honda City colors are six that consists of Taffeta White, Sparkling Brown Metallic, Urban Titanium Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic and Carnelian Red Pearl. The most sold color has been Carnelian Red Pearl, Bold Beige Metallic and Taffeta White.

Honda City Engine, Power and Performance

1.5L i- VTEC Petrol Engine

The globally acclaimed petrol engine of Honda that is 1.5L i-VTEC rules Honda City sitting under the bonnet. This engine after more than a decade has got the company of eco-friendly Honda City CNG fuel that will results in better mileage alongside exceptional drivability on highways. This refined powertrain has got matchless power besides smooth performance and applauding mileage. The engine is based on intelligent-Variable valve Timing and Electronic-lift Control that is well supportive of 4-cylinders and 16 valves offering a displacement of 1497cc with electronic fuel injection system. The cordial engine outpours a maximum power of 118 PS at 6600 rpm, while a peak torque of 146 Nm at 4800 rpm is observed alongside. The Honda City engine is compatible with both 5- speed forward and 1- reverse (5+1) manual gearbox as well as 5- speed paddle shift and 1- reverse Automatic Transmission (AT).

Honda City Pick Up and Acceleration

The petrol i-VTEC engine of Honda City is not only best in the driving dynamics but also best when it comes to zooming it up on the longer drives together with peppier city steers. The Honda City pickup of 0-100 kph, which takes mere 11.5 seconds, has got the backup of this powerfully refined engine that churns out 118 PS of maximum power at 6600 rpm besides meaty torque figure of 146 Nm at 4800 rpm. Moreover, the fear factor is bound to arise when it reaches its apex or top speed of 182 km per hour at an effortless ease. Here the petrol powertrain is not alone it now has a companion in the form of green Honda City CNG variant that also accelerates thrillingly. With all this, the Honda City is not only ideally suited for highway journeys but also for the urban bumper to bumper traffic conditions.

Honda City Interiors and Features

The all-new Honda City interiors are spacious and at the same time have an ideal premium feel with its placid beige appearance that makes you go more materialistic each time you have a glance on it. Honda City has got ample headroom and legroom together with comfortable seats with well positioned and adjustable head rests and arm rests that make the sedan an ideal place to be in. This magnificence on wheels is as dazzling from inside as it appears to be through the tinted windows. The newly designed dashboard of the new Honda City is broad and clean with fluidic appeal besides big glove box right beneath it. The centre console features integrated audio system that supports CD/ Mp3/ Aux and USB keeping you engage throughout your long drives.

The centre panel with the circular silver insert look elegant together with other onboard accessibility features. The silver door handle and lining looks sleek and sophisticated. The seats are broad and comfortable offering enough room for five people inside the cabin. The new Honda City has little and numerous storage pockets throughout the compartment, including the door side pockets, glove box, back seat pockets, cup holders etc. The leather wrapped steering looks beautiful and very handy, well positioned and accustomed to the driver’s comfort, moreover it comes even more convenient as the controls are now mounted. The instrument has cluster and computer display is good looking, informative and well illuminated in order to provide better visibility and clear statistics. The interior roof linings are an excellent piece of craftsmanship that is cleanly done.

Honda City Exteriors and Features

Since the introduction of first generation Honda City sedan, the company has made sure to give-out a car that looks good, drives good. As a result this 5th Generation City is no different because it continues to proffer the same legacy for which the Japanese automaker is known around the globe. Honda is known for giving its cars a bold and sophisticated look that matches the expectations and tastes of the ongoing consumer. Thus with its recent facelift it has provided a number of many small but significant amends in the exteriors. The fresh front with minor tweaks comes as a dazzling and imposing structure, while is so appealing that you can’t keep your eyes off it even for a single moment. There are fully-focused sharp angled curvy headlamps, new chrome front grille with a blackish appearance curving and stretching across the company emblem that makes it look stylish and astonishing. The front fog lights beneath the grille embedded on to the body colored bumpers gives a classic admirable look to the Honda City sedan.

Moreover several other appreciable features in the new Honda City like the chrome door handles, side protectors, bumper protectors, rear under spoiler, ducktail under spoiler, side under spoiler, front under spoiler, illuminated side step garnish, back up sensors and what not are meticulously designed and look marvelously elegant and beautiful. The Honda City has been curved and carved into a giant but the sensuous sculpture counts for the admiration of this beauty. Moreover, the solid looking alloy wheels and chrome tipped exhaust pipe are some other noteworthy upgrades in the 2012 Honda city. Furthermore, the rear of Honda City is equally appreciable with meticulously ending and re-shaped tail lamps that are now clear and more visible besides ready to magnetize its followers. The boot ending is perfectly finished and the metallic look steals your eye every now and then.

Safety Features in Honda City

Like any other sedan in the segment, the all new Honda City comes with many advanced safety features including the Ant lock Braking system (ABS) with brake assist AND the Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Apart from these two common features, the City is enveloped by the G- CON Technology or the G- Force Control Technology in order to provide a safer and strong structure in the form of a protective shell to the car thereby securing its passengers in case of any collision. Moreover, the City comes well equipped with dual SRS Airbags for the front compartment of the cabin. Other integral and crucial features include side protectors, bumper protectors, back up sensors etc.

Honda City Driving and Handling

The sharp aerodynamics or the arrow shot form of the shape of Honda City makes it cut through the wind with smooth handling and control. The Steering is super responsive and very well positioned indeed. The gear shift is flawlessly accurate and the clutch is sensitive. The Car is suitable on almost any terrain due to the front and the rear suspension that provide smoother drive all the time.

The front has been taken care of by the McPherson Strut type Suspension with coil springs and stabilizer and the rear is supportive of Torsion beam axle with stabilizer and coil spring. The alloy wheels have a significant grip on the roads even when its slippery in the rainy season. Other features include the very visible and brightly illuminated instrument cluster and the center panel with all the controls within your reach.

Honda City Accessories

The exquisite sedan Honda City comes up some real tempting accessories to the exteriors as well as interiors in order to bestow it a distinct look. For outer surface there is front bumper protector, side protector, rear bumper protector and illumination side step garnish. Moreover, premium garnish include chrome front grille, rear trunk spoiler, chrome laden front bumper along with chrome insertion at rear bumper, while there is door sash molding and ‘Exclusive’ badge for that superiority among others. Furthermore the interior accessories of Honda City sedan comprise of CD player, rubber mats, floor mats, sporty pedal for MT and AT trim, front tweeters and foot light together with interior panel illumination.   

Honda City Road Test Report

The decade old champion sedan; Honda City, continuous to rule the roads in the sedan segment, yet again, with its improved model too.  The sedan has got the 1.5L engine more reformed this time as it works better in city drives and on the open road journeys. The sedan has come long way with most of the concerns of the previous model addressed. The drivers seating posture is appropriately comfortable and elevated that assists pleasure-able driving experience. The exhilarating pickup of 0-100 kph is truly unimaginable in less than 11 seconds, which one of the swiftest acceleration in the segment.

The City sedan rides are plush against any sedan in the segment, without any niggles and worries. The steering feel has improved a lot and so has handling, while earlier steering wasn’t bad either, with electric support coming into act it’s more agile and returns better feedback. At times steering turn-out to be too light and becomes heavier while turning. Most of the times sedan feels uneasiness on bad road conditions due to low ground clearance, which directly hampers its performance.      

The City is always stable on high speeds and at the same time cut corners well indeed; the roll can be felt if you try to cut-it harder. The car is eager to go for more speeds but the skinny R15 tyres don’t allow the show to go on, and it is easy to break traction. The brakes in particular are fine with consistent pedal feel alongside accurate stopping power it could get better though, if tyre issue is tackled. The NVH (Noise, Vibrations and Harshness) levels are excellent as there are no vibrations felt inside the cabin neither at the gear knob nor at brake pedals. The NVH points are bound to get better with Automatic Transmission (AT) version. The heartening performance couldn’t have been possible without the presence of synchronized 5-speed manual gearbox. The city jam packed conditions are easy to take on, with light clutch and butterfly like gearshift, also no body roll is felt here and City acts nimble and responds speedily. Coming to efficiency, the extraordinary Honda City mileage delivered out of this i-VTEC engine can put any diesel sedan in the segment to shame.

Honda City Conclusion

There is nothing much to say about the sedan that is been ruling mid size and premium entry level segment for more than a decade, one falls short of words to express the charisma or the statuesque that it carries in the history of premium sedans in India. And with New Honda City launch, it is now ‘revived and revitalized’ to take on its latest competitors. The addition of premium aspect in the form of ‘Sunroof’ has added icing on the cake, as it now appears more alluring.

Moreover, with New City, the company has played smart by launching base variant at just above INR 7 Lakh along with Automatic Transmission (AT) variant at high end to crush the new age kids. The power, performance and luxury that it offers are matchless till date. The times have changed since its launch; today more and more consumers are rushing to buy diesel cars, but Honda City with only option of petrol still prevails. Just imagine the hustle at the Honda showrooms when the company will launch City in diesel avatar.

Honda City FAQs

Q1:  What is the practical mileage of Honda City sedan?  
Answer: The ARAI certified Honda City mileage is of 16.8 kmpl. However, the realistic mileage in city is around 12 kmpl alongside about 14-15 kmpl on long drives. 

Q2: What is the Honda City CNG mileage?
Answer: The mileage of Honda City CNG in pretty good compared to petrol as it delivers 13-14 km/kg in city conditions and on highways it stretches up to 17 km/kg.
 
Q3:  Can the new CNG kit be fitted in any Honda City sedan?
Answer: No. As per the company it has launched specifically modified Honda City CNG model in the form of Honda City V MT variant. For the fitment cost one needs to visit nearest Honda dealership.  

Q4: What is the starting price of Honda City sedan? 
Answer: The base model of Honda City i.e. Corporate is priced very competitively at Rs 7.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Q5: Is Honda City available with Automatic gear box?
Answer: Of course, to get in line with the competitors, Japan based company now posses an advanced 5-speed Paddle Shift AT (Automatic Transmission) under hood of Honda City AT.