The fourth generation Honda City was launched in 2013 and was revised in 2014. Since then there was no update for the Japanese sedan, as the competition moved ahead with Ciaz outselling the City and other competition bringing in their updated versions like the new Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento and Hyundai Verna.
So after giving a refreshed look to the Brio and Amaze this year, Honda will give the City a mid-life update next year. The rumours had that the new facelift will be taking cues from the Chinese sedan, the Honda Greiz which is currently on sale in China. But now reports are in that the India-spec City facelift will be inspired by the new generation Honda Civic, rather than the Greiz.
If the rumours come true, the new City will sport an Accord like grille with chrome inserts. Projector lamps might be included in the redesigned headlight. Tweaked front and rear bumpers, as well as reworked tail lamp design will be seen, as on the new Civic and the CR-V, carrying forward Honda’s new design language. Newly designed alloy wheels with more or less the same side profile will complete the refreshed City’s appearance. We could expect a new body colour as well.
On the inside, the car will integrate a new touchscreen infotainment system allowing access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, audio and hands-free telephone controls with smartphone connectivity. The top-spec could boast of a paddle shifter, cruise control, leather seats, sunroof and navigation system. Safety will be ensured by six airbags with ABS, EBD, rear parking sensor, anti-theft alarm, and child safety locks.
The updated City will carry forward the same powertrain. 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 comes with a six-speed manual while the petrol gets an option of a five-speed manual CVT gearbox.
This mid-life update will put the City back in contention with the Skoda Rapid, Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and the Volkswagen Vento. No pricing or other details have been revealed yet by the manufacturer but stay tuned to CarWale for more information on the new City.
