• Powered by a new 121hp, DOHC petrol engine
• New City is 109mm longer and 53mm wider than previous model
• Gets lane-watch camera – a segment-first feature

Honda has launched the fifth-generation City in India at Rs 10.90 lakh. The latest iteration of the popular midsize sedan is available in three trim levels and comes with three engine-gearbox options to choose from. Given below are the variant-wise prices for the new Honda City. 

What engines does it get?

The fifth-generation City is one of only two midsize sedans that is also available with a diesel engine; the other being the Hyundai Verna. The 100hp, 1.5-litre diesel has been updated to meet BS6 norms and comes paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. Fuel-efficiency of the 2020 City diesel is rated at 24.1kpl by ARAI.

The big talking point on the new City, however, is the new petrol engine. It’s a 1,498cc naturally-aspirated unit that develops 121hp and 145Nm, which is a 2hp increase over the fourth-gen City’s 1.5-litre SOHC mill. The new engine gets a twin-cam, or Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), set-up - which gives provides better control over valve timing and valve lift - making it easier to meet the more stringent BS6 emission norms without sacrificing performance and economy. Gearbox options for the petrol include a 6-speed manual and a CVT auto. The new City petrol does an ARAI-rated 17.8kpl with the manual and 18.4kpl with the CVT auto.

Meanwhile, the fourth-gen City will continue to be sold with the 119hp, 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated SOHC petrol engine.

Why are both the older and new versions still on sale? 

Compared to the fourth-gen City (Rs 9.91-14.31 lakh*), new City petrol prices start about Rs 99,000 higher, which means the gap to models like the well-priced 2020 Skoda Rapid (Rs 7.49-11.79 lakh) and Maruti Ciaz (Rs 8.32-11.10 lakh*) would be much greater. Having both generations of the model on sale will help Honda reach a wider selection of misize sedan buyers.  

Things in the midsize sedan segment have heated up over the past few months with Hyundai launching the facelifted Verna (Rs 9.31-15.10 lakh) and Volkswagen updating the Vento (Rs 8.86-13.29 lakh) with a new engine to meet BS6 standards. The Honda City also faces competition from Toyota’s Yaris (Rs 8.86-14.30 lakh*). 

Starting prices for the fifth-gen Honda City are Rs 1.59 lakh higher than the Verna and a Rs 2.58 lakh higher than the entry-level Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. Top-spec petrol and petrol automatic versions of the new City are also quite a bit more expensive than the range-topping versions of the Verna and Ciaz. Compared to the Verna diesel-manual, new City diesel prices start Rs 1.74 lakh higher, though the top-spec diesel City is only Rs 70,000 dearer than the range-topping Verna diesel.

Although starting prices for the new City are Rs 99,000 higher than the fourth-gen model for now, the range-topping and automatic versions of the new City cost just Rs 14,000 more than their fourth-gen counterparts..

How big is the new City?

Dimension-wise, the new City measures 4,549mm in length, 1,748mm in width, 1,489mm in height, and has a 2,600mm-long wheelbase. Compared to its predecessor, the new City is 109mm longer, 53mm wider, has an identical wheelbase but,it is 6mm shorter in height. The new City's boot capacity stands at 506 litres.

What are the features on offer?

In terms of equipment, the top-spec City ZX gets full LED headlamps with LED DRLs, 16-inch alloys, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and WebLink compatibility, the Honda Connect telematics system with 32 connected car features and Alexa remote capability (a first in India), a 7.0-inch colour MID, automatic climate control, an electric sunroof, keyless entry with push button start/stop, paddleshifters and remote engine start (CVT only), along with leatherette upholstery.

Safety features for top-spec Citys include six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability assist, agile handling assist, hill-start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, Honda’s LaneWatch camera (segment-first), ISOFIX child-seat mounts, rear parking camera, and auto headlamps and wipers.

A 3-year/unlimited warranty pack is standard.

All prices, ex-showroom, pan-India

*Prices are ex-showroom, Delhi