Honda has reached this stage of importance here in India solely due to the City, this being its smallest offering until the Jazz was launched. Right from day one the City has evoked a lot of interest among buyers looking for the latest technology and others who intended to take their ride to the next level with alloys, body kits, ECU remaps and other fitments.
This week we’re driving the new Honda City which shares its underpinnings with the Jazz. Does the latest City iVtec have what it takes to be branded as a mini Civic? We’ll tell you by the end of our stint.
Exteriors -
The City has always been a good looker, even though the Dolphin shape was not widely accepted, it was just an initial reaction, as it went on to win a million hearts. The current version wears a very sporty shape and is equally reminiscent of the Civic.
The front fascia is glittered by the horizontally slatted grill which gifts it a dynamic look. The sillihoute of the City is termed as “Arrow Shot Design” by Honda. It is sleek, the overhangs are tight and the entire car looks compressed.
The headlamps are boxy but not symmetrical and match very well with the front end. Moving sideward the waistline is crowded with big door handles. The tail end is the best part of this car, the slanting big stop lamps nicely integrated on the rear, which from the side looks like a cliff.
This is the 2nd car after the Mercedes C230 AG that we tested that has a very chiseled look, this is the best looking City as compared to all the earlier ones. The bad thing however is its reputation – looks wise, it is the mini Civic and it stole the thunder from its older sibling. Thunder lost, the Civic went on and also lost out on its sales.
Interiors -
Doors opening is very wide and in 3 stages. Seats cushion used is supportive for the back. Adjustment for height is possible on the driver side with an easily operatable pump type leaver. The steering is lifted from the Civic’s parts bin which is not a bad idea. New buttons on the wheel for the radio keeps hands locked to where they should be.
The cabin feels bright and roomy and the seating is high, which is unlike a typical Japanese car. The extra height help shorter drivers and less confident newbies.
Head room and shoulder room is generous and all the switches and levers are well within the reach. Glass area is also large. You get a commanding view of the road the surrounding on this car.
Drive -
Honda makes magical petrol engines, they managed to extract 90hp from a 1.2-liter engine on their Jazz. The City’s engine is in the same level, sound and vibration is absent. This car can play tricks on you too – Sometimes you don’t know if the engine is running, the gear lever does not show any signs of what’s happen immediately in front of you. A short throw leaver with ratios extended, powers the 1.5-iVtec engine rather sportily.
In tomorrow’s article, we’ll deal with the City’s engine and gearbox, and in the following days we’ll tell you whether this car can carry your family in comfort. So stick with us!
its nice car.
to all those who are intrested in buying the all new honda city S-MT, wait till september to check out the new version of honda city V-MT, with leather seats, fog lamps, automatic climate controls, change in the interior colour of plastics and probably alloy wheels. this package will be a better value for money. as honda has already stopped the production of E-MT version, the S-MT version might also be stopped after this version gets launched. it is expected that there may be a small price hike of 50k.
Hey Manish I guess you have got it wrong here, the City has always been a very refined and a hard to beat product from Honda, the new City goes one step ahead and we should thank Honda that they have upgraded the City and given us the latest version.
@janardhan – thank you for your kind words. The new City is a very successful car, and the point is it does not have any major issues that came up during our drive. This is why the City is such a successful product.
Ridiculous review as always… i agree with greg… you are only good writing news and thats where you should stop. Dont make a mockery of yourself by typing such biased and sugar coated “so called” reviews… but then what else can you expect from a bunch of kids calling themselves to be the automobile experts and the fact that if there is no sugar, there is no car for them!
a bunch of cowards….
great review on honda. good job. keep it up guys!!when you find something really good dont hesitate to express. whether someone like it not you must write. your blog is quite unbiassed. yes, i dont own a honda car now.
We don’t have this car in South Africa but it would be interesting to see it parked next to the Jazz, for a size comparison. How does it compare on price with the Jazz? – considering it has the same engine and I’m sure can be spec’d to the same levels of comfort?
@Scott – here in India, the Jazz is just a shade cheaper than the Jazz. It uses the Jazz’ platform but a 1.2-liter engine that gives out 90hp. The space and comfort offered in this car is more than a regular hatchback.
Drastic change in the city has bought the product MUST BUY for customer who are looking for Honda,Right from the exteriors and Civic type Interiors.I salute Honda for lauching the cars which cannot be compared with other of this segment, most probably when STYLE is conserned.
@Darshan – As far as Style is concerned, yes, the City does look like the winner.
After driving the City, one feels if Honda gets a 4 Wheel drive on this machine, it would be an ideal road-rally car. With such a responsive engine and gearbox, its so much fun to drive.
You guys at IAB are fit only for writing news and nothing more. Look at this review – its like as if Honda gave you money and asked you to write an article. You don’t know how to write well either, how much did Honda pay you for this?
@Greg – I don’t know what you are talking about but frankly, we did not find anything wrong with it so far. In the coming days something might surface, until then you have to hold your horses. There is no point in getting emotional.
Well to me this should have an option for a bigger engine maybe a 1.8 civic engine.
@NissanGT – Probably a bigger engine will work wonders. But I don’t think the line between the Civic and City would stay thick, it will start to blur.
Are you guys even roadtesting the Auto varient of the City?
Honda should get its Accura brand here which could prove as its luxury segment entrant. I mean, how many people would buy a 25 lakh Accord when the 3-Series and the A4 is at striking distance?
Hi guys, this is awesome, when do you do the roadtest for the other Honda cars namely the Jazz, Civic, CRV and the accord?
@Power911 – In the future, we are looking at driving those cars. Do you have this model in your country yet?
Honda cars have a very sporty character to it and the City is that got all started here in India. Long live the City.
Honda is the segment leader and the New City looks and drives fantastic too. I’ve driven it for over 10k kms now and the only thing I miss is the lack of several features which a Fiat Linea or even the Fiesta would give.
@Sujeet M – I envy you. You drive this car everyday to work and you should be having a blast.
Yes indeed the City is one of the best looking cars in India, Honda really knows how to play its cards well.
@Rajesh – Sir, thank you for your comment. Yes, Honda has done its best to bring out a superb product that’s far better than the older City.