2017 Honda City First Look Review

The mid-life update of the current generation Honda City has been launched in Thailand. The updated City has been spotted at a dealer’s stockyard on Indian shores as well indicating the launch is just around the corner. Honda is expected to revive the ‘ZX’ moniker as it did with the mid-cycle refresh of the second-generation City. The 2017 Honda City gets a selection of updates on the outside to make it look more aggressive and modern in line with the current Honda sedan family while the mechanicals remains unchanged.

The first and most noticeable change is the revised design of the grille. The front fascia and the bumper are redone and are now similar to one found on the updated Amaze and Brio. While the headlamp cluster gets LED treatment like the one seen on the Accord. The LED DRL strip also highlights the fresh design when illuminated. The horizontal slat on the grille flows into a notably redesigned wedged-shaped headlight. The fog lamps surround are reworked, and the grille gets the thick mesh but the bonnet profile remains unchanged.

The corkscrew-type diamond cut alloy wheels are all-new and so is the new hue of blue paint scheme called ‘cosmic blue metallic’. Moving to the rear, the tail lights design remains the same albeit with new LED lighting signature. The tailgates also seem untouched whereas the bumper gets new mesh insert. The rest of the creases and body lines are carried forward in the new City from the car already sold in India

Moving inside, the cabin may get an all-black treatment instead of beige as on the current City. The silver accents and gloss black finish around the busy yet well-laid out dashboards comprises of a 6.8-inch touchscreen continues in the new City. The features and equipment list are retained with the sunroof, adjustable steering, split and foldable rear bench, start/stop button, automatic climate control and electronic folding rear-view mirrors being present. The infotainment system is expected to come with smartphone connectivity as well.

When launched in India, the powertrain will be the same as the current City. The 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel unit making 98bhp and 200Nm and the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol producing 119bhp and 145Nm will be powering the new City. The diesel variant will come with a six-speed manual while the petrol gets an option of a five-speed manual CVT gearbox. The ABS and dual front airbags should come as standard with the new City keeping in mind the safety regulations that are soon going to be regulated.

After the launch of new Skoda Rapid, the Volkswagen Vento is due for an update as well and the new Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz will arrive soon too. The updated City will aim to take the game further in the C-segment sedan market as prices are expected to remain more or less on par as the current Honda City.