Honda City

Speedometer dials on a Honda City VTEC model.

In September 2005, a facelifted version of the City was launched in Thailand, in October 2005 in Malaysia, and in November 2005 in Indonesia. In Thailand, it is known as the City ZX. The most significant changes are a new exterior (new front grille, new headlamps, new fog lights, new taillights and bumpers). The front end has been extended forward by 65 mm (2.6 in) while the rear has been extended by 15 mm (0.6 in). The side mirror is electronically foldable. Both the i-DSI and VTEC trim levels have 15-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. Interior are the changes are minor but it does include an armrest for the driver and additional map lights. The interior colour tone of the VTEC variant is now black.

The L-series engine remained but the intake manifold has been repositioned, resulting in a 6 °C drop in the intake air temperature,[9] the suspension has been upgraded as well.

The City in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand uses the CVT gearbox for both i-DSI and VTEC variants. The CVT gearbox simulates a 7-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic style override using paddle shift buttons on the steering wheel itself.

The fourth generation was resurrected in China as the Everus S1, a new budget car brand for Honda models discontinued elsewhere.[10] The S1 stopped production in 2014.

Models

City/Fit Aria:

• GD6: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI Inline-four engine 2WD (Fit-Aria)
• GD7: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI Inline-four engine 4WD (Fit-Aria)
• GD8: 1.5 L L15A i-DSI/VTEC Inline-four engine 2WD (Fit-Aria)
• GD9: 1.5 L L15A i-DSI/VTEC Inline-four engine 4WD (Fit-Aria)

Everus S1 (pre-facelift)

Everus S1 (facelift)

In 2011, Chinese joint venture Guangqi Honda released a badge-engineered version of the fourth-generation City under their new Everus brand, called the S1. With the release of Everus, Honda became the first foreign automaker to develop vehicles under a brand owned by its local joint venture automaker in China.

The S1 is the first Everus car available for sale. It shares most of the characteristics found in the fourth-generation City. Dimensions and powertrains are identical as well with the S1 sporting the same 4,420 mm length and 1.3-litre i-DSi or 1.5-litre VTEC L-series petrol engine. The engines are paired to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The S1 concluded production in 2014.

Honda City (facelift)

In September 2011, Honda Thailand revealed the revamped City, with new front grille design, new front and rear bumpers, new taillamps design, new alloy wheels, eco driving indicator and dual front airbags to every model.[18] The revised model was launched in India in December 2011 including five variants – Corporate, E, S, V and V (Sunroof)[19] – and increased ground clearance to 165 mm (previously 160 mm) and also length increased by 20 mm.

In August 2012, Honda Thailand released the City CNG.

The facelifted City was also launched in the Philippines in early 2012. It had a redesigned front grille, front and rear bumper and new alloy wheels for the 1.5 E model, blue illumination gauge and silver accent air conditioning switch. In 2013, a new designed alloy wheels was introduced for both 1.3 and 1.5 variants. A Modulo version was available in both models and in 2013 a Mugen version was available for the 1.5 model only.

Honda Cars India launched the facelifted fifth-generation City in India. All variants were powered by the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which delivers 118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp) of power with 146 Nm of maximum torque.[20]

The diesel version of the City was launched in India in early January 2014, powered by the 1.5-litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC turbodiesel engine. It was only manufactured in a limited numbers and were distributed to some selected dealers in some states of India.

Honda Atlas (Pakistan) resumed the production of City on May 1, 2012, after it was halted due to supply chain disruption caused by massive flooding in Thailand. This resumption of production was marked by Honda as it comes with the range of facelifted City under the banner of City Aspire. In October 2014, Honda Atlas launched the facelifted City, with new features including new taillights, revamped chrome grille, blinkers on side mirrors, rear window brake light, keyless entry system and new bumpers. The interior also received some changes. The speedometer dials were changed from orange to blue optitron. This generation of City remained in production in Pakistan until 2021.[21]

Interior

The City is produced in a number of locations around the world including Brazil, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Thailand.[22]

In July 2009, the City was for the first time to be built and marketed (in large numbers) outside Asia, with production commenced in Sumaré, Brazil. The car was first available for sale in the Brazilian market, with exports to Mexico and other markets in Latin America from September 2009.[23][24]

Since March 2011, with the opening of a new factory, the City began to be manufactured in Argentina.[25] It is the first car built by Honda in Argentina (and the first Japanese passenger car made in Argentina) and will be exported to all the countries in South America along with the Citys built in the Brazilian Sumaré plant.

The mid-life facelift for the sixth-generation City was launched in Thailand on 12 January 2017.[31] The facelift includes visual and equipment updates such as LED headlamps with daytime running lights and LED tail lights, while the revised chrome bar grille is similar to that of its bigger sibling, the Civic. The facelift model was also subsequently launched in India on 14 February 2017, in Malaysia on 2 March 2017, in Indonesia on 16 March 2017, in the Philippines on 22 May 2017 and in Japan as the Grace in July 2017.[32]

A new hybrid variant was also introduced, though only exclusive to Japan and Malaysia. It uses Honda's Intelligent-Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD) Sport Hybrid system, paired with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It is powered by a hybridized version of the 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine, making a combined output of 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) and 178 N⋅m (131 lb⋅ft), equivalent to that of a conventional 1.8-litre engine.

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  Honda City (Indonesia; facelift)
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  Honda City (Thailand; facelift)
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  Interior (City Hybrid, Malaysia)

The City was introduced in Brazil as its fourth generation model in the country in 2015. Following the current Fit, both were produced at the Sumaré plant. Only the 1.5-litre petrol engine is available, with either manual transmission or CVT. It is not equipped with direct injection.

In China, the City is manufactured by Guangqi Honda, where there is another derived model, Honda Greiz (Chinese: 哥瑞; pinyin: Gēruì), manufactured by Dongfeng Honda, with different body lines, front and rear fascias.[33] Another derivative called the Honda Gienia (Chinese: 竞瑞; pinyin: Jìngruì) is the City in liftback form. Production for the Greiz commenced in November 2015 while the Gienia commenced production in October 2016.

Trim levels for the Greiz are the Classic, Comfort, Fashion and Luxury all shared with the Gienia. The L15B is the only engine option available paired with a 5-speed manual (for Classic) or CVT gearbox.

Apart from Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda, Honda Automobile (China) also manufactured the City for exports to Mexico.[34]

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  Honda City (China, pre-facelift)
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  Honda City (China, pre-facelift)
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  Honda Greiz (China)
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  Honda Greiz (China)
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  Honda Gienia (China)
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  Honda Gienia (China)

The sixth-generation City was unveiled in India on 25 November 2013 and is available with a choice of two engines; a new 1.5-litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC turbodiesel and a refined version of the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol. The new 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, which also powers the Honda Amaze.[35]

Honda launched the sixth-generation City in India on 7 January 2014.[36] The sixth-generation City is available in five trim levels – E, S, SV, V and VX for both petrol and diesel. The petrol automatic is available in SV and VX trims.[37] While the City has always been a popular offering of Honda in India, its sales doubled after it was launched with a diesel engine. In March 2015, the City became the fastest selling compact sedan to reach the 100,000 mark in just 15 months.[38]

In 2014, the Indian City contains about 90% local parts.[39]

From April 2015, the City is available with an additional trim: VX (O). It is positioned above the VX.[40][41]

In 2017, with the facelift, Honda launched a new top-of-the-line ZX trim in India which comes with 6 airbags, rear parking camera and Honda's digipad infotainment system. The facelifted City also comes with full LED headlamps and tail lamps and also a sunroof. Over 10,000 orders were received in less than a month after the facelifted 2017 City was released in mid-February 2017.[42] The City became India's best selling compact sedan for the first half of 2017.[43]

The City is offered and sold as Honda Grace in Japan starting from December 2014, with both petrol and hybrid versions, and an all-wheel-drive option.[44] Trim levels range from LX, Hybrid EX, Hybrid LX and Hybrid DX. Hybrid versions can be differentiated from its LED rear lamp clusters and on the Hybrid LX and Hybrid DX only, LED projector headlamps come as standard. The exterior dimensions are compliant with Japanese government dimension regulations and the engine displacement incurs a nominal annual road tax obligation.[45] The Grace was discontinued in the Japanese market in August 2020 alongside the Civic and Jade, due to decreasing sales.[46]

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  Honda Grace (Japan; pre-facelift)
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  Honda Grace Hybrid (Japan; pre-facelift)
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  Honda Grace Hybrid (Japan; facelift)
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  Honda Grace Hybrid (Japan; facelift)

In Malaysia, the sixth-generation City was launched on 20 March 2014 available in four trim levels (all powered by 1.5-litre engine with CVT) are offered: S, S+, E and V.[47]

On 2 March 2017, the facelifted City was introduced with 3 trims available: S, E and V.[48]

As of 2017, the S+ trim was discontinued to make way for the Hybrid version, with Malaysia being only the second country after Japan to have the City Hybrid on sale.[49] The locally assembled hybrid uses Honda's intelligent-Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD) Sport Hybrid system. It has an Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC 1.5-litre engine with 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) and 134 N⋅m (99 lb⋅ft) of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT). Combined output is 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) and 178 N⋅m (131 lb⋅ft) of torque. The hybrid was launched after an extensive two-year testing in Malaysia.[50]

In the Philippines, the sixth-generation City was launched on 22 April 2014 and is available in 3 trim levels. E, VX and VX+ [51]

In May 2017, a facelifted version of the City debuted in the Philippines with added LED headlights and fog lights for the VX+ and daytime running lights (DRLs) standard across the line.

The City is available from Kah Motor (Honda's Singapore distributor) in 2 trim levels: V and SV. In 2018, with the facelifted City, the SV trim was further differentiated from the basic V trim with automatic climate controls, on top of the features previously offered prior to the facelift such as paddle shifters, push start, touchscreen head unit, fog lamps and 16” rims. However after the facelift, the SV received an aftermarket touchscreen DVD head unit instead of the factory fitted one.

It is also available as the Honda Grace through parallel import, in both petrol and hybrid versions.

Honda Taiwan first displayed the sixth-generation City at the 2014 Taipei Auto Show in which Honda also exhibited its NSX concept sports car. The Taiwanese market City was formally announced on 4 March 2014 and went on sale in the second quarter of the same year.[52] This was the first time the City had been on sale in Taiwan since 2002, when the third-generation City ceased production. The model had ceased production in November 2020.[53]

The sixth-generation City received its ASEAN debut in Thailand on 23 January 2014.[54] The 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, the only engine option for Thailand, has been tuned to comply with E85 fuel. The sixth-generation City is sold in six trim levels (S MT, S CVT, V CVT, V+ CVT, SV CVT and SV+ CVT). Certain Thai market variants are available with 2 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist. 6 airbags is only available in top option SV+ trim (SV Plus).[54]

The City, together with Honda CR-V, were Honda's top sellers in the country in 2014.[55]

The sixth-generation City was launched in Pakistan in July 2021, replacing the long-running fifth-generation City. Assembled locally, it was launched with two engine option, which are 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines.[56]

The hatchback version was launched in November 2020; 26 years after the body style was last used in 1994. Dimensions-wise, the hatchback is 208 mm (8.2 in) shorter than the sedan at 4,345 mm (171.1 in), which means it is close in size compared to the European ninth-generation Civic hatchback. Honda claimed hatchback offers more legroom than the sedan and offers the Ultra Seats carried from the Fit/Jazz and HR-V, allowing for four rear seat arrangements – utility, long, tall and refresh modes.[70] The City Hatchback serves as a replacement to the Fit/Jazz in several emerging markets (except in South Africa where the Fit is sold), and is currently produced in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil.[64]

The City sedan was unveiled and launched in India on 16 July 2020. It is sold alongside the old model which is continued to be produced in the country.[71] The Indian-market City is offered in three trim levels – V, VX and ZX – with a choice of petrol and diesel 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines. The petrol engine upgraded i-VTEC unit with DOHC (previously SOHC), with the other being an i-DTEC turbodiesel. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with the CVT option only available for the petrol version.

All trims are fitted with ESC, rear ISOFIX anchorages, neck restraints and three-point seatbelts for all five passengers, dual front airbags, front torso-protecting side airbags, traction control and hill start assistance as standard, the VX and ZX trims are equipped with head-protecting curtain airbags, and the ZX trim level is fitted with a blind spot monitor. Unlike the Malaysian car, the Indian car is not approved for use with i-Size child seats. It has also not been crash-tested by Global NCAP because the fourth-generation car, which has been sold alongside the fifth-generation car, has a lower safety specification and was tested in 2022. Honda did not sponsor testing for the fifth-generation car.

For the first time, the top-spec City is equipped with Honda's LaneWatch camera system, where a camera on the passenger-side wing mirror relays a feed to the centre screen, providing drivers with a better view of the left side of the vehicle. Other notable features include 8.0-inch touchscreen audio system with Alexa remote capability and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster display, and sunroof.[72]

Honda Cars India announced the market launch of the City e:HEV in April 2022. This powertrain is expected to be available on the ZX trim level. In addition, this trim is expected to be the first Honda model in India to offer Honda Sensing which includes safety assist technologies like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and emergency lane-keeping, as well as driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control.[73]

The seventh-generation City was first launched in Indonesia on 3 March 2021 in its hatchback form. The City hatchback is produced in the country and directly replaced the Jazz. It went on sale on 8 April 2021. A single trim is offered, which is the RS with a 6-speed manual and CVT gearbox options.[74] It is equipped with the 1.5-litre L15ZF engine. The City sedan followed later on 28 October 2021, which is imported from Thailand like previous models.[75][76] On 20 April 2022, the City hatchback received Honda Sensing (CVT only) as an option.[77]

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  2022 Honda City (GN2, Indonesia)
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  2022 Honda City (GN2, Indonesia)

The City sedan was revealed in Malaysia on 24 August 2020 and launched to the market on 13 October 2020. It is available in 4 trim levels: S, E, V and e:HEV RS. The S, E, and V trims are powered by the 1.5-litre L15ZF DOHC naturally-aspirated engine, while the top-of-the-line RS trim is offered with an Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid version to go along with the 1.5-litre LEB-H5 DOHC naturally-aspirated engine.[78] The e:HEV RS trim received several features from the other trim levels including an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold function and a full Honda Sensing driver assistance safety suite which includes adaptive cruise control.[79]

The V Sensing trim was launched on 3 November 2021. Unlike the normal V trim, it is equipped with 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster panel and Honda Sensing safety and driver assist system similar to the e:HEV RS trim.[80]

The City Hatchback was launched on 7 December 2021. It is offered in S, E, V and e:HEV RS trim levels, same with the City sedan.[81] Like the sedan counterpart, the S, E, and V trims are powered by the 1.5-litre L15ZF DOHC naturally-aspirated engine, while the top-of-the-line RS trim is offered with an Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid version to go along with the 1.5-litre LEB-H5 DOHC naturally-aspirated engine.

The V Sensing trim was launched on 11 April 2022. Like its sedan counterpart, it is equipped with 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster panel and Honda Sensing safety and driver assist system similar to the e:HEV RS trim.[82]

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  2020 Honda City e:HEV RS (Malaysia)
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  2020 Honda City e:HEV RS (Malaysia)
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  Interior (V)

The City sedan was launched in the Philippines alongside the facelifted Honda CR-V on 22 October 2020. The new City is now imported from Thailand instead of being locally assembled in the now-defunct Honda Santa Rosa plant. The only engine released in the Philippine market is the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine.[83] Known as the L15ZF, the engine is relatively similar to the L15Z engine found in previous models with the exception of dual overhead cams and further implementation of Honda's Earth Dreams technology. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and CVT. Three trim levels are available in the Philippine market: S (6-speed manual and CVT), V (CVT only) and RS (CVT only).[84]

The City Hatchback was launched on 20 April 2021 and was the first market to get the hatchback in left-hand-drive form.[85] Only a single trim is offered, which is the RS model.[86]

In Thailand, the City is powered by a 1.0-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine mated to a CVT. The smaller engine and the low emission output makes it the first City to qualify the Eco Car tax incentive.[87] Among the conditions of the tax incentive are Euro 5 compliance, CO₂ emissions below 100 g/km, and a fuel consumption not exceeding 4.3 L/100 km (23.25 km/L). The Thailand-spec City has a rated fuel consumption of 4.2 L/100 km (23.8 km/L).[88] Other aspects of the Phase 2 Eco Car regulation include the fitment of various safety systems such as ABS, EBD, BA and VSA as standard across the range.[89] It is available in four trim levels: S, V, SV and RS. Sales began in Thailand on 24 December 2019.

The City Hatchback debuted in Thailand on 24 November 2020.[61][90] The City Hatchback is offered in just three variants, which are S+, SV and RS.

The City e:HEV RS was also launched in the country in the same day. The e:HEV version gets several additional features over the petrol RS, including paddle shift to adjust the regenerative braking intensity, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, Honda LaneWatch blind spot camera, rear AC vents, and rear disc brakes which in turn allows for an electric parking brake to be installed.[91] The City Hatchback e:HEV RS was also launched in Thailand on 24 June 2021, with similar features as the sedan version.[92]

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  2019 Honda City SV (Thailand)
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  2020 Honda City SV (Thailand)
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  2020 Honda City Hatchback RS (Thailand)
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  2020 Honda City Hatchback RS (Thailand)

The City sedan was launched in Vietnam on 9 December 2020, with three trims being offered, which are the base 1.5 G, 1.5 L, and the top-spec 1.5 RS, all paired with CVT.[93]

On 28 April 2021, the E trim was added to the lineup.[94]

The City sedan and hatchback were introduced in Brazil on 18 November 2021. It is powered with the 1.5-litre direct injection i-VTEC DOHC engine, which was not offered in other markets before. The adoption of the direct injection system allows for a higher compression ratio and greater optimization of the burning of the air/fuel mixture. The engine also supports flex fuel.[95]

The City sedan was launched in Mexico on 12 March 2021, offered in the Uniq, Sport, and Prime trim lines, all of them equipped with the 1.5-litre engine and offered in either a 6-speed manual transmission or an automatic CVT.[96]

Top-spec City Touring was added for the 2022 model year, making the City available in four trims. The Touring trim features LED headlights and foglamps, and lots of safety features added from the Prime trim.[97]

Three conventional engines were offered in different markets, which are the 1.0-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine (Thailand), 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine (India).

For this generation, the City e:HEV is also offered in some markets. It utilises the smallest version of Honda's Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system shared with the fourth-generation Fit/Jazz which consist of a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine and an integrated electric motor acting as a generator and a starter. It is not equipped with a traditional gearbox driving the front wheels, however the engine can provide direct drive at higher speeds using a lock-up clutch and a single-speed transmission (e-CVT) since the ICE is more efficient than an electric motor at high speeds.[98] For the Thai-spec model, Honda is claiming a fuel consumption figure of 17.8 km/L (5.6 L/100 km) on the NEDC cycle.[91]