2020 Honda City: Pros, Cons and Verdict

Honda has recently launched the fifth generation version of City sedan in India. It has been creating a lot of buzz in the market for all the right reasons, and as far as first looks are concerned, it definitely looks impressive. Right from the exteriors that look remarkably similar to its elder siling Civic to its reliable petrol engine on offer, there are more than ‘n’ things that excite us.

This article aims to put forward all the good that Honda City offers and also the fronts where it could have fared better.  

Price

Pricing is certainly not the parameter that turns things in City’s favour, especially when pitched up against other rivals. City’s base variant is priced at a premium of Rs 1.6 Lakhs over the second most expensive mid-sized Sedan in the segment, Hyundai Verna.

When compared against more affordable rivals like Ciaz, Rapid and Vento, the price gap broadens further. Gladly, for City, its top trim manages to undercut Arch rival Verna’s price    

Engine Options

With the fifth-generation update, City gets the most powerful petrol engine in the segment and also when compared to its predecessor the updated engine will now feature an upgraded DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) which has improved the NVH levels significantly.

The petrol engine is offered with the choice of a 6-speed manual as well as a 7 speed CVT, the driving aesthetics on offer with the CVT are top-notch as well, as City gets paddle shifters with the CVT gearbox equipped variants.

Diesel engine might not seem extraordinary with respect to performance figures, the fact that it is the only offering apart from Verna that offers a diesel engine works in Honda’s highest-selling car’s favour. It also has decent fuel efficiency figures that further help its cause.

Also Read: 2020 Honda City Vs Rivals: Specifications Comparison

Pros

• It is ultra-spacious on the inside, the comfort levels on offer with the City could put the cars from higher segment to shame.
• It gets a superior CVT gearbox, which coupled with the brilliant driving aesthetics and fun to drive petrol engine makes the driving experience delightful
• Segment first features like lane change indicator and a host of safety features like Hill Start Assist (HSA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Agile Handling Assist (HSA)
• The city has been around for quite a while. Thus, Honda has tuned the Ride dynamics that is well suited for Indian conditions.
• A practical cabin with a large boot (506L), second only to Ciaz in the segment (510L)

Cons

• The quality of interiors on offer is no sort of brag whatsoever, it is not very bad, but certainly could have been better, definitely for the company’s best performing car in the country
• Though it gets some segment-first features, it misses out on features like ventilated seats and powered driver seat
• Misses out on the option of a diesel automatic, even though its younger sibling Amaze gets it and also City’s Arch-rival, Verna offers its option as well.
• Significantly high priced base variant as compared to the competition

Verdict

The fifth-generation Honda City comes across as the perfect blend of City’s couple of decade-old legacy and modern bells and whistles. With a powerful and quieter petrol engine on offer, City has got a lot more tempting, the new City is also longer than the predecessor which reflects perfectly well in the form of ultra-spacious interiors. 

The major downside is the heavy price tag, but having said so, being City it also manages to justify the higher buck spent with all the aforementioned nuances on offer.