Honda City 2020

INTRODUCTION

The 5th generation Honda City is here, officially launched in India. The launch is confirmed in July and this is longest and widest sedan in the segment. It is the most popular sedan in the Indian market since its launch in 1988 . The city is popular for its 1.5L i-VTECH petrol engine a naturally aspirated motor.

SPECIFICATIONS

Let’s first talk about the i-VTECH petrol, it’s the New 1.5l unit, producing 122 ps of power and 145 Nm of torque, but now with BS6 compliance which means lower CO2 emission and better efficiency that is between 17.8 to 18.4 kmpl (ARAI), but in the real world we would get between 12-13 kmpl, now this depends upon your driving style and where your driving. The transmission is 6-Speed manual or CVT

Now let’s take the diesel, which is the question of many, So this is the revised 1.5l unit I-DTECH, now with the BS6 compliance producing 100 ps of power and 200 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm that means the low-end lag is well contained. This engine is very frugal at 24.1 kmpl(ARAI), but in the real world you might extract between 16-19 kmpl which is respectable and again it depends upon you how you drive it and where you drive. This is paired with only a 6-Speed Manual transmission, we expect a Automatic, because many customers required it for city at least.

FEATURES

Safety – 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD (Electronic Braking Device), ISOFIX child seat mounts, vehicle stability assists (VSA), Agile Handling Assists (AHA), Hill start assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring system, Walk away auto lock, Lanewatch Camera, ASEAN N-CAP 5 Star Rating

Connected– Alexa connectivity with remote capability, Honda Connect with Telematics Control Unit (TCU) And Remote engine start.

OTHERS – Full LEDs headlamps and Tail Lamps, 7-inch HD full color TFT meter with G-meter, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Weblink support. One touch electronic Sunroof, Auto Headlights, Auto dimming IRVM, all 4 Power windows with one touch up and down with Pinch Guard, Steering Mounted Paddle Shifters in CVT variant, Ambient Lighting and LED interior lamps, Rear Sunshade, 506 litres of boot capacity, Smart Electrical Trunk Lock with Keyless Release, Touch Sensor Based Smart keyless Access Entry and last but not the least 16 -inch Diamond cut alloys.

PERFORMANCE

The New Honda City gets new 1.5L Petrol i-VTECH based on the New earth dreams technology. This engine is drivable lower down and makes driving in the city a boon, but once you get passed 3000 RPM the its starts getting vocal but the sound is not harsh and neither it is irritating, the overall refinement levels are great from the engine. This engine has dual characteristics, when drive sanely doing 100 kmph in the 6th gear everything thing is calm, refined and sleek, but when that VTECH bug kicks in you, downshift to 3rd and the way the engine pulls is absolutely phenomenal, you have all the power kick-ass power on your right foot. The gear box is sleek shifting and the clutch is also on the lighter side.

The Diesel engine is the same 1.5L i-DTECH but now based on the earth dreams technology. Earlier there used to the typical harshness and tractor like sound from the the engine, which is now minimized to a great extended and that improvement is felt in side the cabin but still there are some vibration and harshness that filter through the cabin once you get hard on to the throttle. But the major reason the diesel engine to buy is the mileage for the person who drives everyday for longer distance.

RIDE AND HANDLING BALANCE

The ride in the petrol City is on the softer side, it’s like the car likes the bad roads so much that whenever it goes over them, wants to feel them ashamed by its ride. The suspensions are now more compliant than before in 4th-Generation facelift, the corresponding outcome is the body roll bounciness on the bad roads at high speed. the handling here is not that sharp for my liking, the steering does give feel and feedback but its sluggy at centre-head position, and the lighter weight brings drawbacks with it. Talking about the brakes they sure footed and there are disc brakes only at the front, while the rear ones continues to remain the same drum brakes.

The Diesel engine being more heavier at the front it gives additional weight to car and its further adds to better handling of the diesel than the petrol. The suspensions are stiffer than that of the petrol, which means the ride gets better as the car gathers the pace. The steering and the brakes remain the same as the Petrol variant. Overall the handling would not be an issue with a regular driver, but might be weak for an enthusiast. the person who wants performance and fun will choose petrol, but there are many reasons for a rational buyer to choose the Diesel over the petrol.

RIVALS – Remains the same Hyundai Verna, VW vento, Skoda Rapid/ Rider, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Toyota Yaris.

DEMERITS – The quality of the interiors is not that great, the Dashboard design of the it is very basic and simple, the plastic of the dashboard is quite a lot hard and we expect a better quality interiors at this price point. Secondly the headrests at the rear are not adjustable and it is inconvenient for tall passengers. The raw feeling of the 4th generation is gone!

FACT– The Honda is going to Sell the current fourth- generation (petrol) also at great discounts. That is not a good idea Honda.

PRICING – It is expected 11 lakhs – 18 lakhs (ex showroom) It is priced way too premium

CONCLUSION – i would not at all suggest to buy the Fourth-generation over the upcoming