2020 Honda City review: Built on trust of 8 lakh owners

NEW DELHI:

Honda

’s City is often considered a benchmark for revolutionary design and engine. In fact, eight lakh customers over a span of 22 years is a testimony.


In its 5th generation, Honda City returns with distinctive looks, thanks to several points of resemblance with the Civic. For instance, the new pair of headlamps with nine vertically stacked LEDs surrounded by a strip on top which doubles up as turn indicator and a profuse amount of chrome offering an elegant nose lend a new design theme.

Move to the sides, a Japanese sword-inspired shoulder line and 16-inch diamond-cut alloys exude premium-ness to the right extent. The increase in length is noticeable, which has resulted in better in-cabin space, with chrome finished door handles and sloping rear third.

Interestingly, the 4th and 5th generations will be on sale in parallel. Move to the rear, the wrap-around tail lamps look striking along with a neatly designed boot.

Step inside and the roominess on offer is something you will certainly appreciate. Longest and widest in the segment, Honda City packs plush interiors, easily affording three people in the second row. The cabin is well-appointed, feature-loaded, and spacious.

The infotainment head is all-new, slick to use with 32 Alexa-enabled features. A faux-wooden panel runs across the front panel, however, much like the Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz employs hard plastic at places around the cabin.

Wide widescreen, a nicely-weighed steering wheel, and low slung profile ensure a dynamic ride. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine in BS6-compliance drives supremely smooth. The refined motor is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed CVT. The free-flowing manual transmission is highly engaging. The CVT, on the other hand, feels much better than others in the market.

The peppy petrol motor offers solid low-end torque and an equally strong top end. The CVT, however, turns noisy and showcases rubber band effect when pushed to the redline. In case, you wish to opt for a Diesel engine, the 5th generation is the only choice. The petrol motor has claimed efficiency figures up to 16 kmpl while the diesel belts out up to 24 kmpl.

City, now, borrows the lane-assist camera from Civic as well, as part of the standard safety equipment package.

Honda City in its 5th generation is a charm, all set to reclaim the pole position. That said, City wouldn't just be hoping to pin down Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, but an array of SUVs capturing the market swiftly.
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