HomeCar ReviewsNew Honda City Review: Diesel and Petrol variants

New Honda City Review: Diesel and Petrol variants

Since 1996, more than 2.2 million City’s have been sold across 55 countries in the world. Interestingly, India is one of the top countries on Honda’s list where the sales of City sedan have been consistently high. It is only logical that India is one of the first countries in the world to get the new Honda City facelift.

Honda City has been the best selling car in the segment ever since its launch in 2014. But, over the last 9 months, Maruti Ciaz has replaced the Ciaz as the no 1 in the segment. With the updated City facelift, Honda aims to regain their no 1.

Like the 2014 Honda City, the 2017 model is also built on Honda’s Exciting H Design language. H in Exciting H stands for ‘human-centered’. The points kept in mind while the car was being designed – top class fuel efficiency, comfortable driving which provides a sense of security to be a STUNNER. Being a stunner/youthful was important, as Honda targets people in the age-group of 20-40 years with the new City.

Styling

Exterior of the new City is referred to as Sleek CrossMotion. This is because of its new sleeker body frame, which gives the new City an aerodynamic look. Honda designer’s wanted to make the new City’s styling aggressive and dynamic, and that is the reason you see a low front face with revised headlamp cluster which now houses LED lamps and DRLs.

The front features a new grille and headlight design, which Honda says has been designed after taking inputs from their existing City owners. Moving on the side, the dynamic styling continues with a muscular line flowing across the upper part of front and rear door, and joining into the rear tail light. The rear looks broader, thanks to this flowing lines. The rear taillights, just like front, are bigger than the one’s on old City and feature LEDs.

Overall, the new City is not a lot different than the 2014 City, but looks prominently more stylish, and demands a better road presence.

Exterior Features

S

MT i-VTEC

SV

MT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

V

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

VX

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

ZX

CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

Premium Dual-Barrel Halogen Headlamps

YYYNANA

Integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)

YYYYY

Advanced lnline LED Headlamps

NANANAYY

Advanced Wrap-around Rear Combi Lamp

Bulb

Bulb

Bulb

Bulb

LED

Front Fog Lights

NANA

Halogen

LED

LED

Integrated LED Turn Indicator on Door Mirrors

NAYYYY

Rear License Plate LED Lamps

NANANANAY

Front Signature Chrome Grille & Lower Molding Line

YYYYY

Rear License Plate Chrome Garnish

YYYYY

Trunk Lid Rear Spoiler with Integrated LED High Mount Stop Lamp

NANANANAY

Electric Sunroof with One-Touch Open/Close Function with Auto-reverse

NANANAYY

Diamond-Cut & Finished Multi-Spoke Alloy Wheels

NANA

R15

R16

R16

Steel Wheels with Sporty Full Wheel Trim

R15

R15

NANANA

Outer Door Handles Finish

Body Colored

Body Colored

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Antenna

Front Pole

Shark Fin

Shark Fin

Shark Fin

Shark Fin

Body Coloured Door Mirrors

YYYYY

Body Coloured Mud Flaps

NAYYYY

Black Sash Tape on B-Pillar

NAYYYY

Interiors

The new City features premium interiors, highlights include – Touch controlled Auto Air Conditioner Panel, One Push Engine Start/Stop button. The flowing design of dashboard, which uses two tone silver and piano black finish, adds to the premiumness of new City. The chunky feel of steering wheel and gear knob too is premium.

In the center of the dashboard you now see a 17.7 cm Advanced Infotainment with Capacitive Touchscreen that is powered by Honda’s new DigiPad AVN system. This screen also acts as camera display unit for rear park assist. Some of the features of this system are

– Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming
– Digital Radio (AM/FM)
– Media Player for audio and video (in-built 1.5 gb space)
– Mirrorlink support
– Voice recognition

Front seats come with better ergonomics, while the rear seats offers you enough thigh and back support. There are enough places to place your water bottles, but sadly not for the 1ltr ones’. Rear seat also offers arm support, just like in the old City. Top end model also features rear AC vents and two 12V mobile charging points.

The new Honda City is now offered with a new top of the line ZX variant in addition to S, SV, V and VX trims. Below are the variant-wise features of the new Honda City:

Interior Features

S

MT i-VTEC

SV

MT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

V

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

VX

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

ZX

CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

Premium Beige Interior Trim for Seats, Armrests & Door Lining Inserts

Fabric

Fabric

Fabric

Leather

Leather

Leather Package with Stitch (Steering Wheel, Gear/Select Knob, Door Armrest)

NANANAYY

Assistant Dashboard Soft Touch Pad with Stitch

NANANA

Inside Door Handles Finish

Black

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Premium High Gloss Piano Black Finish on Dashboard Panel

NAYYYY

Front Lower Console Garnish & Steering Wheel Garnish

Black

Gun Metal

Gun Metal

Gun Metal

Gun Metal

Front & Rear All AC Vent Knobs, Hand Brake Knob Finish

Black

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome Decoration Ring for Steering Switches

NAYYYY

Chrome Decoration Ring in Map Lamp & Rear Reading Lamp

NANANANAY

Satin Ornament Finish for Tweeters

NANAYYY

Power Window Switch Panel Finish

Black

Black

Black

Gun Metal

Gun Metal

Trunk Lid Inside Lining Cover

NAYYYY

Comfort & Convenience

S

MT i-VTEC

SV

MT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

V

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

VX

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

ZX

CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

Automatic Climate Control with Touch Control Panel

YNANANANA

Manual Air Conditioning with Heater

NAYYYY

Rear Air Conditioning Vents with Chrome Plated Knobs

YNANANANA

Dust & Pollen Cabin Airconditioning Filter

NAYYYY

Engine One-Push Start/Stop Button with White & Red Illumination

NANAYYY

Honda Smart Key System with Keyless Remote (x2)

NANAYYY

Smart Trunk Lock with Keyless Release

NANAYYY

Jack-Knife Retractable Key with Remote (x2)

YYNANANA

Wave Key with Keyless Entry & Power Central Door Lock

YYYYY

Driver Side Power Door Lock Master Switch

NAYYYY

Automatic Door Locking & Unlocking (Customizable)

NAYYYY

Multi-View Rear Camera with Guidelines (Normal, Wide, Top-Down Modes)

NANAYYY

Cruise Control

NAYYYY

7-Speed Paddle Shift (CVT Only)

NANAYYY

Automatic Headlight Control with Light Sensor

NANANANAY

Headlight Auto Off Timer (15 seconds)

NANANANAY

Automatic Intermittent Wipers with Rainfall Sensor

NANANANAY

Automatic Dimming Rearview Inside Mirror with Frameless Design

NANANAYY

Automatic Folding Door Mirrors (Customizable)

NANAYYY

Power Folding Door Mirrors

NAYYYY

Power Adjustable Door Mirrors

YYYYY

Telescopic Steering Adjustment for Reach

NANANAYY

Tilt Steering Adjustment for Height

YYYYY

Driver Seat Manual Height Adjuster

NAYYYY

Front Center Armrest with Storage Compartment

NAYYYY

Rear Center Foldable Armrest with Cupholders

NAYYYY

Rear Head Restraints

Fixed Pillow

Fixed Pillow

Fixed Pillow

Fixed Pillow

Adjustable

All Power Windows with Key-Off Time Lag (10 minutes)

YYYYY

Driver Power Window One-Touch Open/Close Function with Auto Reverse

YYYYY

Accessory Charging Ports with Lid (Front Console+ Rear)

1

1

1+2

1+2

1+2

One Touch Turn Signal for Lane Change Signaling

YYYYY

Driver & Assistant Seat Back Pockets

NANANAYY

Vanity Mirror in Front Passenger Side Sunvisor

NAYYYY

Rotational Grab Handles with Damped Fold-back Motion

3

3

3

3

4

Front Map Lamps

Bulb

Bulb

Bulb

Bulb

LED

Rear Reading Lamps

NANANA

Bulb

LED

Interior Center Roof Light

YYYNANA

Trunk Light for Cargo Area Illumination

YYYYY

Instrument Cluster

S

MT i-VTEC

SV

MT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

V

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

VX

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

ZX

CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

Advanced 3-Ring 3D Combimeter with White LED Illumination & Chrome Rings

NAYYYY

Standard 3-Ring Combimeter with White Illumination

YNANANANA

Eco Assist ™ Ambient Rings on Combimeter

NAYYYY

ECO Lamp

YNANANANA

ECON™ Button & Mode Indicator (CVT Only)

NANAYYY

Sequential Shift Mode & Lever Position Indicator (CVT Only)

NANAYYY

Multi-Information Backlit LCD Display

YYYYY

Fuel Gauge Display with Fuel Reminder Warning

YYYYY

Trip Meters

1

2

2

2

2

Average Fuel Economy Indicator

1

2

2

2

2

Instant Fuel Economy Indicator

NAYYYY

Cruising Range Distance-to-Empty Indicator

NAYYYY

Outside Temperature Indicator

NAYYYY

Headlight On Reminder and Key Reminder

YYYYY

Audio & Infotainment

S

MT i-VTEC

SV

MT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

V

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

VX

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

ZX

CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

17.7 cm Advanced Infotainment with Capacitive Touchscreen

NANAYYY

In-built Satellite-Linked Turn-by-turn Navigation

NANAYYY

My Storage Internal Media Memory 1.5GB

NANAYYY

Mirrorlink® support for Smartphone Connectivity

NANAYYY

WiFi USB Receiver Support for Internet Browsing, Email & Live Traffic

NANAYYY

Voice Recognition for Media, Navigation & SmartPhone

NANAYYY

Integrated 8.9 cm LCD Screen Audio with Aux-In Port

YYNANANA

AM/FM Digital Radio Tuner, MP3/WAV, i-Pod®/i-Phone®

YYYYY

Bluetooth® for Hands Free Telephony & Audio Streaming support

YYYYY

HDMl-ln Port & microSD Card Slots for Maps & Media (2 nos.)

NANAYYY

USB-ln Ports

1

1

2

2

2

Speakers & Tweeters

4

4

8(4+4)

8(4+4)

8(4+4)

Steering Mounted Audio & Hands-Free Telephone Illuminated Switches

NAYYYY

Steering Mounted Voice Recognition Switch with Illumination

NANAYYY

Space

The all-new Honda City offers more space on the inside, in spite of measuring the same in length and width as compared to the third generation. The overall length of the 4th generation City’s facelift is same as that of the 3rd gen City at 4,440 mm, while width stays at 1,695 mm. Wheelbase length is increased by 50 mm, and is now at 2,600 mm. Height of the new City too is increased by 10 mm and is now at 1495 mm.

In spite of no change in length and width, you will notice that on the inside new City is roomier as compared to 3rd gen model. It offers 10mm of more headroom, 40 mm of more shoulder space and 110 mm more legroom at the rear. Boot space stands at 510 liters.

Dimensions & Weight

Petrol

Diesel

Overall Length (mm)

4440

Overall Width (mm)

1695

Overall Height (mm)

1495

Wheelbase (mm)

2600

Front Track (mm)

1490 (S, SV, V), 1475 (VX, ZX)

Rear Track (mm)

1480 (S, SV, V), 1465 (VX, ZX)

Kerb Weight MT (kg)

1058 (S), 1063 (SV), 1061 (V), 1084 (VX)

1147 (SV), 1148 (V), 1170 (VX), 1175 (ZX)

Kerb Weight CVT (kg)

1080 (V), 1100 (VX), 1107 (ZX)

Max. GVW MT (kg)

1433 (S), 1438 (SV), 1436 (V), 1459 (VX)

1522 (SV), 1523 (V), 1545 (VX), 1550 (ZX)

Max. GVW CVT (kg)

1455 (V), 1475 (VX), 1482 (ZX)

Fuel Tank Capacity (litres)

40

Seating Capacity (persons)

5

Trunk Space (litres)

510

Steering System

Collapsible Electric Power Assisted

Turning Circle Radius (m)

5.3

Engine and Mileage

2017 City continues with the same set of engine and transmission options. The 1.5l iVTEC offers 119 PS @ 6600 rpm and 145 Nm torque @4600 rpm. This engine option is available in both manual 5 speed gearbox and CVT transmission option. Mileage claimed for manual petrol City is at 17.8 kmpl while that of CVT is at 18 kmpl.

The 1.5l iDTEC delivers 100 PS power @ 3600 rpm and 200 Nm torque @ 1750 rpm. It is only available with a 6 speed manual transmission. This version gives ARAI certified mileage of 26 kmpl, making it one of the most fuel efficient car in the country.

Specs

Petrol

Diesel

Manual

5 Forward & 1 Reverse

6 Forward & 1 Reverse

Automatic

CVT (Continuosly Variable Transmission)

NA

Suspension System

Front

McPherson Strut, Coil Spring

Rear

Torsion beam axle, Coil Spring

Anti-Roll Bar

Torsion Bar Type

Brake System

Front

Disc (Ventilated)

Rear

Drum

Parking

Manual / Rear Wheels

Tyres & Wheels

Wheel Type

15 x 5.5 J Steel (S, SV), 15 x 5.5 J Alloy (V), 16 x 6 J Alloy (VX, ZX)

Spare Wheel Type

15 x 5.5 J Steel (S, SV, V), 16 x 6 J Alloy (VX, ZX}

Tyre Type & Size

Tubeless Radial Ply, 175/65 R15 84T (S, SV, V), 185/55 R16 83H (VX, ZX)

Driving

Though the engine of City diesel is the same 1.5l iDTEC, it is now refined to deliver better NVH. Not only it is less noisy (thanks to better insulation), it is also much more responsive and torquey. The engine responses well within the 2000 – 3600 rpm range and easily handles city driving as well as highway cruising. You can continue to push the car up to the 4500 redline, but this is when you start hearing the diesel engine clatter.

Speaking about it’s petrol engine, power is delivered in a much crisper manner, right from the moment you step on the peddle. In the CVT, the transmission is seamless. Perfect for City driving conditions. The manual is a driver’s delight, and is expected to be the ONE for Honda City fans.

Other than the engine, Honda has also tuned the suspensions extensively. Though front and rear suspensions are same as that in the 3rd gen, in the form of McPherson Strut and Torsion beam axle respectively, there is an impressive change in how the car handles broken roads.

Safety & Security

S

MT i-VTEC

SV

MT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

V

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

VX

MT/CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

ZX

CVT i-VTEC

MT i-DTEC

Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE™ ) Body Structure

YYYYY

Dual SRS Airbags for Driver & Front Passenger

YYYYY

Front Side & Side Curtain Airbags

NANANANAY

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

YYYYY

Engine ECU Immobilizer System with Anti-Theft Security Alarm

YYYYY

ISOFIX compatible Rear Side Seats with Lower Anchorage & Top Tether

YYYYY

Day/Night Inside Rear View Mirror

YYYYY

Rear Windshield Defogger

YYYYY

Driver Seatbelt, Door Ajar & Trunk Open Reminders & Indicators

YYYYY

Dual Horn

YYYYY

Fuel Reminder Control System (Diesel Only)

NAYYYY

Conclusion

Priced competitively, the new Honda City challenges the new leader in the segment, Maruti Ciaz. With the addition of new LED headlamps, and revised styling overall, the new City seems to have enough punch to take on the leader in the segment.

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