Honda City has long been one of the best-selling automobiles in the country. The newest lineup of the vehicle has sparked interest among automobile enthusiasts by offering significant upgrades compared to its predecessor. Coming in six different trims, the subcompact automobile is also available as a hatchback model, blending its core qualities with the versatility of an SUV. Besides boosting the vehicle’s appeal, the hatchback variant provides practicality for different types of drivers.

Exterior and color options
The all-new Honda City comes with a sporty exterior design. The front of the car sports a honeycomb front grille with the symbolic RS.

Both the front and rear headlights are sporty and eye-catching. The S, V, SV, and RS models of the car have steel wheels with 15-inch cover, 15-inch alloy wheels, two-tone 15” alloy wheels, and sporty two-tone 15-inch alloy wheels, respectively. Both the Honda City e:HEVs (hybrid-electric vehicles) come with 16” two-tone alloy wheels. The car is available in different exterior color options, including Obsidian Blue Pearl, Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Taffeta White. Buyers who opt for platinum white pearl will have to pay 10,000 Baht extra for their car.

Those who choose the Crystal Black Pearl and Obsidian Blue Pearl will be purchasing a car that is 6,000 Baht extra. But, Obsidian Blue Pearl is available only for e:HEV RS and e:HEV SV variants. Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum Pearl White, and Taffeta White are also colors that are exclusive to selected trim levels.

Interior and infotainment
The Honda City cabin is a spacious and comfortable place to ride in. Its infotainment center comes with a range of attractive features. The car has an 8-inch touchscreen display that can be used for navigation, audio, and entertainment. It offers wireless smartphone connectivity with the help of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The e:HEV RS model also has an exclusive 7” TFT Multi-information Display center, while the RS model has a 4.2” TFT display. Automobile enthusiasts also get access to the Honda Connect app, which allows them to check the stats and control certain features remotely.

Trims and prices
The new Honda City lineup has six trims available. The Honda City S is the base trim available for a starting price of ฿599,000. Other traditional petrol models include the Honda City V, SV, and RS. Each of these models is priced at ฿629,000, ฿679,000, and ฿749,000, respectively. Going higher in the trim levels, one will find two models—e:HEV SV and e:HEV RS, which vary in terms of features and are priced at ฿729,000 and ฿799,000, respectively.

Engine and performance
The S, V, SV, and RS trims have a DOHC 3-cylinder 12-valve VTEC TURBO engine. On the other hand, the e:HEV SV and e:HEV RS trims have a DOHC 4-cylinder 16-valve i-VTEC engine. The lower trims deliver 120.6 hp, while the higher two trims deliver 96.5 hp. The horsepower of the electric motor is expected to be around 107 hp. The hybrid models have a lithium-ion battery, promising longer life and better performance.

Safety
The Honda City lineup comes with Honda’s SENSING technology. It is a set of driver-assist features that helps drivers avoid mishaps while on the road. The safety technology features include a collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation system with lane departure warning, auto-high beam, adaptive cruise control, and lead car departure notification system. For the hybrid models, the adaptive cruise control is complemented with a low-speed follow feature. The Honda City lineup also has LED daytime running lights and an auto on-and-off headlight feature. Features like an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, emergency stop signal, and auto door lock by speed are standard in all models. But, additional features included only in the higher hybrid trims are the multi-angle rearview camera, Honda LaneWatch, and walk-away auto lock.

Honda City Hatchback
The Honda City Hatchback lineup comes with five trim levels, namely the S+, SV, RS, e:HEV SV, and e:HEV RS. The hybrid models come with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors, promising stellar performance. The hatchback has a spacious and comfortable cabin with a foldable ultra seat, so owners can adjust their seating and storage according to preference. The Honda City Hatchback is available in 7 different body colors and a few customizable interior features. Its safety features include electric parking brake and auto brake hold, ISOFIX and child anchor, rear seat reminder, multi-angle and rearview camera, Honda LaneWatch, hill start assist, walk away auto lock, and six airbags. The Honda City Hatchback S+ is priced at  ฿599,000. Going higher, the trim levels will have a higher price and can vary based on the features and customization one selects.

Overall, the Honda City is a reliable automobile that offers good value for money for potential buyers. The light and quick steering instills confidence among drivers, contributing to a decent driving experience. One of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment, the car can last nearly 20 years with timely and proper maintenance, contributing to its long-term dependability and value.