Honda City 5th Generation: Pros And Cons To Know Before You Buy

The history of Honda City dates way back to when the Indian car scene had very few sedans and it drew attention whenever it moved. Being synonymous with the sedans in India at some point, the Honda City still remains one of the top choices when it comes to the sense of reliability and familiarity, so much so, that it has successfully entered its 5th generation in the country. However, everything has its ups and shallows, and the City is no different. Come with us as we take you into the essential Pros and Cons that you must know if you are considering this as your next ride. To stay updated with such insightful sections, make sure to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads with extensive coverage of the latest news and insights from the automotive space.

Also Read- Maruti Grand Vitara Key Features: Ventilated Seats To Panoramic Sunroof

Pros

1. Strong Hybrid

The Honda City, like other options in its class, misses out on a diesel engine but compensates it with a strong hybrid set-up that is a highly fuel-efficient option to consider. Another upside of this powertrain over a diesel mill has to be the extended validity of petrol cars of 15 years, rather than the 10-year deadline of diesel cars, especially in regions like Delhi NCR and Himachal Pradesh and soon-to-join states.

2. ADAS From Lower Variants

In a market where ADAS is still being offered as a premium feature, limited to just top-tier trims, Honda City breaks the barrier and offers this essential safety the right from the V variant, which is the second to the base model. This makes the availability of desired safety features more democratized and beyond the compulsion of spending more to have them. This V variant also provides excellent value for money with other features like wireless Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay, auto headlamps, Honda Connect connected car tech, fog lamps, walk away auto lock, and much more.

3. Most Fuel Efficient Sedan

Thanks to its strong hybrid petrol mill, the Honda City is the most fuel-efficient sedan in its class, as well as more fuel-efficient than some of the more compact cars as well. This is due to the additional electric motor that aids the main engine unit, thus saving a sizable amount for its owners, with the ARAI claimed mileage of 26.5 kmpl. But remember, this pro has its own personal con as well! With the extended battery packs taking up space, the boot space is less than its regular variants. Although this isn't a significant drop, it made sense to lay it out here at this point. Some bargains that we have to make.

4. Robust Safety Suit

The Honda City, right from its base SV variant offers a commendable list of standard safety features including 6 airbags, 3 point seatbelt for all passengers, Hill start assist and emergency stop signal, a multi-angle rear camera with guidelines, ABS with EBD, TPMS (deflation warning system), Traction Control, and much more. These features make even the base model, a pretty good option for those looking for a C-segment sedan, but are a little constrained on budget.

Also Read- Tata Punch Micro SUV: Key Features That Sets It Apart!

Cons

1. No Turbo Petrol Option

While the strong hybrid feather in its cap, for the segment, it fails to offer something that all its contemporaries are handing out, except for the now rapidly aging Maruti Ciaz. It is the option for extra grunt with a turbo petrol option. The Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus, and the Skoda Slavia, although these all miss out on a hybrid mill, offer a dedicated turbo petrol engine for those looking for that extra push and the driver's delight.

2. Pricy Hybrid Variants

If you want to go for the City Hybrid, good luck as it is only available in a single variant with a top-spec ZX variant. On top of this, this variant is priced at Rs, 20.55 lakhs ex-showroom, which is pretty steep for owning a strong hybrid, and also considering the class. Earlier it had a lower variant as well, but Honda decided to shelf it for good. However, even though it offers exceptional fuel economy, ARAI claimed 26.5 kmpl, you need to cover multiple lakh kilometers to balance out the price difference. But is it worth it? You decide!

3. Tyres Skinny For Its Class

The Honda City is a premium sedan and for the price point that it comes at, the 185mm section tires feel a little dwarfed. This, in turn, dwarfs its overall road presence when compared to other rival models. For reference, the Volkswagen Virtus comes with a 205mm section tire that imparts a butch and hefty road appeal. This can be attributed to the cost-cutting measures taken by Honda when even some hatchbacks like Baleno offer a 195mm section.

4. Missing Features For The Price Point

Considering that the top end variant comes at an above Rs. 20 lakh mark, it fails to offer some key features, which at this price point can be considered a miss. While you get a TPMS, it isn't a fully functional unit and only offers a tyre deflation warning without the individual pressure numerics. On top of this, you don't get ventilated seats, no USB C fast charging ports, and no 360-degree camera, These are some additions we hope to see on the updated City when it comes to considering a premium price tag.