Unlike the previous iterations of the City, which varied wildly from their predecessors as regards shape and character, the latest fourth generation Honda City toes its forebear’s line. The silhouette and the visual essence of the car haven’t changed much over the previous version. What has, however, is the introduction of the much clamored for diesel engine which has eluded the buyers of the sedan model for ages now. Armed with a frugal, linear and intent engine, and featuring segment leading cabin space, the New Honda City is back with a bang. Is it really the first among equals in the RS 10 lakh sedan segment? Let’s find out in this detailed new Honda City review.
Design and appearance
While that newly incorporated big, chrome grille bearing the Honda emblem is the most striking new aspect of the City, what you would also instantly notice is the increased size. In its newest avatar, the City has grown in size, not just to extend the space offered within the cabin, but also to appeal to the psyche of us Indians who invariably associate bigger size with more value. While the overall length of the car has increased only by 25mm, the 50mm increase in wheelbase means that the there is a significant improvement as regards the roominess of the car.
Honda has also made changes to the chassis, making it stiffer, yet lighter. The new car is bigger, has better torsional rigidity and has more features – yet weighs about 40 kg lighter than the previous version. Changes have been made to ensure that the new City drives better than the older version which had its limitations as regards handling prowess.
As mentioned above, the big, wide and thick single piece chrome radiator grille is the center piece of the new City’s frontal design. While the amount of chrome on this grille is just too much for those with subtle tastes, it will most likely appeal to a wider audience. The bonnet has two sharp recesses ending into the grille. The bonnet also features chiseled drop on the flanks to add some muscle to the look.
Under the big chrome grille, you have another slat covering the radiator, overshadowed completely by the chrome slat above. The headlamps are sharply styled and taper outwards. They look sharper in profile, where you can see the pointy end of them. Viewed front on, the sharp wraparound edge isn’t completely visible. The bumper is a complex design with an array of lines, cuts and recesses. The wheel arches don’t merge in the bumper – instead, complete their curvature in profile, leaving an angular bend at the flanks of the front bumper. It adds some girth to the front, but we believe a more seamless, sportier execution of the merging point could have been possible.
The central air dam with plastic mesh within is flanked by trapezoidal honeycomb mesh housings for fog lamps. The new City looks best when viewed from the front three quarters – where the sharply styled headlamps, the nice alloys and the big chrome grille all come together to give its face a modern, sporty look.
The profile of the car is defined by a pair of deep grooves, sharply raked front and rear windscreens and a curvy roofline. Of the two creases on the doors, the top one emanates a little after the beginning of the front gate and merges into the sharply styled tail lamps. The other crease at the bottoms spans both the doors fully – wheel to wheel. The alloy wheels with thick spokes, though nice looking, can probably be replaced by slimmer spoke, snazzier (even bigger in size – 16”) alloys to give the car an even sportier look.
Just like the front, the City maintains it snazzy, sporty look at the rear. The deck-lid which by virtue of its shape features an integrated spoiler looks fantastic. The shark fin on the roof above the rear windscreen is another sporty touch. The sharp theme represented by the headlamps is carried over at the rear as well in the form of the horizontally laid out tail-lamps. The customary ‘premium’ horizontal chrome slat tops the registration plate recess, and a neatly designed bumper with a wraparound crease finishes the design business at the rear.
We love the dynamic styling of the new City, inspired by Honda’s new Exciting H design mantra. It’s reminiscent of the previous gen version but manages to look fresh and more appealing. We aren’t quite fond of those skinny 175/65 R15 tyres though, which though efficiency enhancing, distort the visual balance of the car. Especially when viewed straight on from front or rear.
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which color it is??
Is this the newly launched golden brown color?
How much….
Something that was already so good only got better especially now with the diesel avataar. A segment that was pretty much dominated by Hyundai , Skoda and Volkswagen.
While some may see it pretty much looks the same, I happened to cast a deep glance on the street and began to appreciate what’s outside and how it looks inside.
The brand “City” and its positioning has become all the more appealing and is for sure determined to gain the leadership slot . In the diesel segment too.
The icing on the cake would be a cvt to the diesel variant which until now is only available in the verna which is a stonker of an engine. With the german giant coming up with the DSG the competition will only get stiffer.
With some outrageous fuel efficiency in real world driving , I think Honda has hit its competitors where it would hurt most. That with unmatched reliability and after sales network, it is no surprise that it garnered over 7000 bookings within the 1st week of launch . At the same time the Rapide was breathing hard under its slew of advertisement campaigns.
Honda am sure is looking forward to filling the gaps in the MUV, Compact SUV and a premium sedan space.
I see that Honda has never been the first mover but I believe there is always a lull before the storm.
Honda – we are waiting !
Honda city disal top modal white is best car