The Honda City is one of the longest-running mass-market car nameplates in the Indian market. Now in its fifth generation, the City has received another update for 2026, bringing a sportier design and a couple of new features. We recently drove the Honda City hybrid to see what works well and where it still falls short. Let's begin with the positives.
Smooth and efficient hybrid powertrain
The hybrid system is refined, responsive and impressively fuel efficient
The standout feature of the Honda City remains its strong-hybrid powertrain, which continues to be unique in the midsize sedan segment. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors to produce a combined 126hp and 253Nm.
What makes the setup particularly impressive is how seamlessly it switches between EV, hybrid and engine drive modes. Most of the time, the transitions happen unnoticed, and the system prefers to run in EV mode whenever possible. The electric assistance also makes the City feel more responsive than the regular petrol version, especially in urban driving conditions.
Refinement is another strong point. The powertrain operates smoothly and without vibrations, while fuel efficiency remains a major draw. During our drive, the trip computer consistently displayed around 20kpl, making it one of the most economical sedans in its class.
Spacious and comfortable cabin
The City continues to excel in terms of passenger comfort
The Honda City has always been known for offering a spacious cabin, and that remains true in its latest iteration. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and they now come with ventilation, which proved particularly useful in hot weather conditions.
At the rear, occupants get generous legroom, soft seat cushioning, rear AC vents, Type-C charging ports and a rear sunshade. The overall sense of space is further enhanced by the new ivory-and-black interior theme.
The cabin also retains several thoughtful touches, including intuitive controls, high-quality climate control knobs and a well-executed semi-digital instrument cluster. For those who spend long hours behind the wheel or in the back seat, the City remains one of the most comfortable options in the segment.
Now, let’s take a look at the areas where the 2026 Honda City could improve.
Infotainment system and camera feed feel below par
The new additions don't quite meet segment expectations
While Honda has introduced a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen and a new 360-degree parking camera, both features leave plenty of room for improvement. The touchscreen looks rather basic by current standards, and visibility is a major issue. Its positioning and limited brightness make it difficult to read in bright sunlight, while reflections further affect usability. The user interface also lacks the slickness and sophistication expected at this price point.
The 360-degree camera is similarly disappointing. The feed lacks clarity, the graphics appear outdated, and the system occasionally glitched during our drive, sometimes failing to display certain camera views altogether.
Expensive at the top end
The hybrid’s price increase is difficult to justify
The feature additions on the 2026 Honda City, such as ventilated front seats, a larger touchscreen and a 360-degree camera, are welcome and largely justify the modest price increases seen on the petrol variants. However, the same cannot be said for the City hybrid.
Priced at Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom), the hybrid now commands a Rs 1 lakh premium over its predecessor despite receiving no significant mechanical upgrades. While it remains the segment's smoothest and most efficient powertrain, the updates are relatively minor, and some of the new features, particularly the touchscreen and 360-degree camera, don't feel polished enough to justify the higher asking price.
The City remains a comfortable and efficient sedan, but the hybrid's higher asking price makes it a less compelling value proposition than before.
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
