Honda City

The City 2023 offers two distinct aesthetic options: Elegance and Sporty. The Elegance trim retains the essence of the pre-facelift design, while the Sporty variant introduces more pronounced bumpers, a mesh grille, and faux carbon fiber-finished lower extensions. The fog lamp housings exhibit greater intricacy, and the rear bumper boasts a diffuser-like design. It's important to note that the Sporty trim is exclusive to the City e:HEV and the top-tier petrol trim (VX) and definitely offers a unique look in the segment.

The City 2023 is able to maintain the sleek and balanced silhouette of its predecessor, with different alloy wheel choices being the only notable change in its profile. This facelift marginally enhances the already appealing aesthetics of the fifth-generation of the sedan, contributing to its premium look.

Inside, the City 2023 offers a plush and comfortable cabin with spacious and accommodating seats. The driver can easily find an ideal driving position, thanks to adjustable steering for both height and rake. However, it's worth noting that there are no ventilated seats in the sedan, something seen on rivals like Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Kushaq.

The central touchscreen remains the same size but boasts improved resolution. It now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a first for the City. The rear camera delivers clearer images, and the top variant even includes a side camera to assist with lane changes when the left indicator is activated.

The instrument cluster presents a cleaner and sharper display, blending analog and digital elements rather well. In the top trim, the left pod functions as a digital display with customizable information.

Wireless charging has made its debut in the City now, integrated into the center console near the center armrest in the e:HEV, and available as an additional unit atop the cup holders in the petrol version. Notably, the City retains the manual handbrake, whereas the hybrid version features an electronic parking brake.

The City 2023 incorporates six advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in all trims except the base variant, forming the Honda Sensing suite. These features include a collision mitigation braking system, lane-keeping assist system, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, road departure mitigation system, auto high beams, and a lane-watch camera.

Honda Sensing utilizes a camera behind the front windshield to aid with braking, lane-keeping, and adaptive cruise control, even adjusting speed based on the vehicle ahead on the highway. In the e:HEV, this system can operate at speeds below 30 km/h and can come to a complete stop, restarting as the vehicle ahead moves.

Lane departure and brake assist are active at all times, while steering assist and adaptive cruise control activate at highway speeds of 65 km/h and 72 km/h, respectively. Overall, these systems perform effectively, though users may need some time to acclimate specially when it comes to using them in most Indian road conditions.

The powertrain options remain unchanged from the pre-facelift model. This sedan car offers a 1.5-liter petrol engine paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT, producing 120 bhp and 145 Nm of torque. In the e:HEV, there's a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine with an eCVT, which ensures 108 bhp and 253 Nm of torque.

Both engines offer refinement and smooth operation but become less enthusiastic when pushed hard, especially with the automatic transmissions. The petrol manual variant clearly offers a more engaging driving experience, although its relevance may be limited in congested traffic conditions.

The e:HEV comes with three driving modes - EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive - which can be selected automatically or manually based on driving conditions and battery charge level. As a driver you can choose between a pure electric mode, optimal efficiency through combined engine and electric power, and high-speed cruising powered by the engine alone.

The City 2023 provides a stable and comfortable ride on various surfaces, offering driver confidence and passenger comfort. The suspension is finely tuned to absorb bumps and potholes without sacrificing body control or agility.
The steering is light and responsive, making city driving quite effortless. At higher speeds, it gains weight, offering good feedback and accuracy. The brakes are surprisingly strong and progressive, inspiring good confidence.

While not a sports sedan, the City 2023 handles corners and curves capably, with some noticeable body roll but nothing unsettling. Grip and traction are commendable, thanks to 16-inch tires and the vehicle stability assist system.

Pricing for the City 2023 ranges from Rs 11.29 lakh to Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for petrol variants and Rs 16.99 lakh to Rs 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for e:HEV models. The increase in prices, ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 compared to the pre-facelift model, feels justified by the added features and updates.

The City 2023 petrol lineup includes four variants: V, VX, ZX, and ZX CVT, while the e:HEV offers two options: ZX and ZX+. The base V variant also comes decently equipped with LED lighting, 15-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, automatic climate control, cruise control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, among other features.

The Honda City 2023 stands out as the longest among its rivals but possesses the smallest wheelbase and boot space. It offers advanced safety features, including ADAS through the Honda Sensing suite in almost all trims. Moreover, it provides both petrol and strong hybrid powertrains, setting it apart from competitors primarily offering petrol engines. The City e:HEV, in particular, delivers impressive efficiency with its smart hybrid system. While the City retains its premium and straightforward appeal with a sleek design and comfortable cabin, it does miss out on some expected features like power seats and a sunroof. Keep in mind that it is one of the higher-priced options in its segment, facing strong competition from other sedans, each with its own unique strengths, such as the Hyundai Verna's spaciousness, the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus' turbo-petrol engines, and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz's efficiency and roominess.

Also, check out our in-depth Review: 2023 Honda City Facelift.