Honda Cars India has recently launched the new Honda City Facelift Sedan in the Indian market. The new city includes cosmetic design changes, updated interior, additional features and more. The sedan competes with Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna in the Indian market. Interested customers can book the new City online or by visiting their nearest dealership. Deliveries are expected to begin soon. We recently tried the City face. In this article, let’s take a look at five pros and cons that you need to know before buying.Occupation sharp eyeOne of the major highlights of the Honda City facelift is its updated styling. While the overall silhouette is familiar, Honda has introduced subtle but effective design changes that give the sedan a sharper and more premium look. The sedan now features eyebrow-style LED DRLs flanked by a thin light bar, giving it a wider and distinctive look. Honda has also introduced a new honeycomb pattern grille and redesigned bumper, which contribute to the sleeker look. The side profile appears unchanged, including the sloping roofline, door design and ORVMs. However, the updated model has a new alloy wheel design. At the rear, it gets a redesigned tailgate with a lower bumper and smoke effect for the taillights and vertical reflector units. Color options include Crystal Black Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Meteorite Gray Metallic. While the overall silhouette remains unchanged, the updates help modernize the city’s look and strengthen its street presence without changing its identity.A well-equipped entry-level variantAnother strong point of the Honda City range is the value offered by the base SV variant, priced at Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). Despite being the entry-level trim, it comes with auto LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control with rear AC vent, push-button start/stop, a multi-engageable camera, a rear parking and rear parking. seat Safety features include six airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ABS with EBD, and three-point seat belts for all occupants. The feature list of features makes the base City a strong value proposition for buyers who want to avoid upgrading to higher variants.Comfortable ride qualityRide quality is the main strength of the Honda City. The suspension effectively handles potholes, broken roads and expansion joints, helping to maintain passenger comfort in a variety of road conditions. At highway speeds, the sedan feels stable and composed, while the suspension setup provides a balance between comfort and body control. As a result, the City is suitable for both daily urban use and long-distance travel.Hybrid engine with 27.26 kmpl The Honda City is the only midsize sedan in its segment to offer a robust hybrid powertrain. This e:HEV system combines a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two electric motors. The hybrid setup enables the city to run on electric power for longer periods in urban conditions, contributing to a quieter driving experience. Fuel efficiency is another key benefit. Honda claims an ARAI-verified figure of 27.26kmpl, making the City one of the most fuel-efficient sedans sold in India. The combination of hybrid technology, low running costs and strong fuel economy gives the City a distinct advantage over conventional petrol-powered rivals.Proven Honda reliabilityThe main reason people buy the Honda City is Honda’s reputation for reliability. The City has built a strong track record over the years, with owners often praising its reliable engines, hassle-free ownership experience and relatively low maintenance costs. Even the hybrid system benefits from Honda’s global experience with electrified powertrains. For buyers who intend to keep their car for a long time, the City’s proven reliability is a key selling point.Cons There is no turbo petrol engine option.Unlike many of its main rivals, the Honda City does not offer a turbo-petrol engine. Its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor is refined and smooth, but lacks the strong mid-range performance associated with turbocharged engines. Models like Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia are available with turbo-petrol powertrains that offer faster acceleration and better performance. As a result, buyers looking for a more performance-oriented driving experience may find the city’s powertrain options less competitive.The hybrid is limited to the top variant.The Honda City’s hybrid powertrain is limited to the range-topping ZX variant, priced around Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom). This makes the e:HEV more expensive than the standard petrol version and limits access to hybrid technology. Buyers interested in a city-fuelled hybrid setup have no choice but to opt for the lower-priced variant, as the powertrain is not offered elsewhere in the range. Wider availability in multiple trims could have made the hybrid more accessible to a larger segment of buyers.Rear seat comfort features are missing.The Honda City continues to offer a spacious and comfortable rear seat, but it misses out on a few features that could have enhanced passenger comfort. The sedan does not get rear window sunshades, which can be useful to reduce heat and glare for rear occupants, especially in Indian conditions. It also lacks adjustable rear headrests, instead relying on fixed units. While this may not be a major concern for all buyers, adjustable headrests generally provide better support for passengers of different heights during long journeys. Given the City’s premium positioning and focus on rear-seat comfort, the absence of these features is noticeable and detracts slightly from the overall cabin experience.There is no powered driver’s seat.The Honda City does not offer a powerful driver’s seat, even in its top variants. Seat adjustments are manual, which puts it at a disadvantage against some rivals in the segment. Models like the Hyundai Verna offer an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, adding an extra layer of convenience to the customer. While the City’s seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment, the absence of a powered function is a notable omission considering the car’s premium positioning and feature set.Narrow 185 section tires The Honda City is fitted with 185-section tyres, while key rivals such as the Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vertus and Skoda Slavia come with wider 205-section tyres. While the City’s tire setup is adequate for regular driving and can help with fuel efficiency, wider tires generally provide better grip and stability, especially during high-speed maneuvers. Compared to its rivals, the narrow tires are a noticeable drawback and do little to enhance the sedan’s road presence.
