Is the new Honda City, City Hatchback worth the money?

Not too long ago, Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI) gave the City and City Hatchback some mild upgrades—making the cars look and feel more modern.

But with the abundance of affordable nameplates from Chinese carmakers, is spending one’s hard-earned money on a mid-cycle upgraded sedan and hatchback worth it?

On that note, we will look at their new features to determine whether or not these vehicles should be on your list. 

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Refreshed looks 

One of the most noticeable changes to the new Honda City and City Hatchback is their looks.

With design revisions heavy on the front, the fascia sports a modern honeycomb pattern with similar grillework applied to both the upper and lower mesh. 

Speaking of which, the upper portion is flanked by new bi-LED lights and a horizontal bar that connects the two main lamps. Meanwhile, the lower portion is bordered by working air dams on each of its cheeks. It also has a sportier bumper with an angular design.

On its sides are new blacked-out door handles and a set of new wheels. The 16-inch black-cut alloy wheels work well with the side sill garnishes and effectively add a touch of sportiness to both models. 

At the back is a pair of new clear-lensed taillights that still use the same design, seen also on the Honda BR-V. This is paired with a sport-looking rear bumper. 

It is true that the public’s feelings may be torn bout the Honda City and City Hatchback’s new looks, but the author appreciates that the carmaker makes small strides to make the sedan and hatchback appealing to the new generation—and it might work. 

Design language seen on Chinese sedans and hatchbacks seems to follow the same pattern: combining modern elements (modern honeycomb motif, slim light clusters) with an abundance of straight lines and sharp angles.

Mature interior 

The direction the new Honda City and City Hatchback is taking, design-wise, seems to be in the same line with the Civic (which also got new toys in the form of the S+ Shift).

First to be noticed is the lack of red-colored upholstery on the seats. It now has an all-black cover, but some semblance of the color red can still be seen on the seat’s piping. They are still comfy and allow the driver to focus on the road ahead. 

That said, in line with the driver’s sight is the new infotainment screen measuring 10 inches. The center screen is slightly slanted, so as not to impede the vision of the driver. The screen feedback is snappy and has a light bar at the bottom that can be personalized to match the theme of the monitor.

Just right at the dashboard is a textured applique that adds a dash of character to the car’s interior. It looks like a modern “banig” weave, which is on theme for the Philippine market. 

HRC accessories 

The Honda City and City Hatchback can be dressed up with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) accessories.

Would-be owners who want to kit up their rides can slap on things like side sill garnishes, window visors, and a spoiler. The displayed model at the launch of the two cars had an HRC decal on the side.

Added safety 

HCPI also bolstered the safety features of the Honda City and City Hatchback.

For one, the vehicles now come with fittings on each of the side mirrors for the Honda Lane Watch Camera. These automatically activate when the turn signal levers are used and provide the driver with better visibility when making turns to prevent gutter scratches and ultimately avoid hitting motorists and pedestrians. 

The two models also come with rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming rearview mirrors.

Pricing

New City
Variant	Retail price
S	P998,000 (Same as previous year model)
V	P1.083 million (Same as previous year model)
RS	P1.178 million* Additional cost for the following colors: P10,000 for Urban Gray Pearl and Blazing Red Pearl P20,000 for Platinum White Pearl

New City Hatchback
Variant	Retail price
RS	P1.238 million* Additional cost for the following colors: P10,000 for Urban Gray Pearl and Blazing Red Pearl P20,000 for Platinum White Pearl

Final thoughts 

Overall, the Honda City and City Hatchback are still good picks for people shopping for city cars. 

Sure, its modern looks may take a while to get used to, but these will definitely look right at home in mall parking lots, pay parking spaces in Bonifacio Global City, and in your condo garage in Makati.

The added safety is also a good point, which makes it an ideal ride for beginner drivers. 

Unlike your pretentious friend, the Honda City and City Hatchback are not trying to be what they aren’t. 

The writer likes that the automobiles understand that they are reliable city cars that are known for dependability and fuel economy. They are not trying to blind buyers with gimmicky tech and offers just the essentials, elevated. 

Also read:

Honda Cars PH slashes P150K off HR-V S with extended ‘Signature Style, Smart Savings’ campaign

Honda becomes 1st company to get 5-star rating in FIA Road Safety Index

Honda Helps initiative for inundated cars now available until Sept. 30

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