i own honda city automatic and never feel the car is underpowered even on highway. smooth and confident power delivery at all speeds. very satisfying engine for daily use

CarWise•19 Dec 2025

4/5

honda city is the most comfortable and refined in the segment but lacks the same punch as turbo options. very smooth though

A Vasudev•5 Dec 2025

2/5

honda is only a fringe player in indian PV market. it is neither classy nor service friendly. not a strong ownership proposition

Neel Mittal•2 Feb 2026

5/5

i drive honda city petrol manual which has the same 1.5 ivtec engine as elevate and i have to say it is the best petrol engine in my whole extended family car collection. no turbo failure headache smooth power delivery. i have a sonet petrol turbo iMT too but not very happy with uneven power delivery and throttle response can feel jerky. elevate with that NA engine is the most reliable and smooth option in this segment

Honda City Expert Reviews

Autocar score

We like

Space and comfort
Well-rounded performance

We don't like

Misses ventilated seats
Premium pricing

View Expert Reviews

Honda City Images

Front Right Three Quarter Partial Image - 2308

Color Golden Brown Metallic Image - 2959

Color Lunar Silver Metallic Image - 2960

Color Meteoroid Grey Metallic Image - 2963

Touch Screen Infotainment System Image - 2278

Leather Wrapped Gear Knob Shift Selector Image - 2279

View all images

More questions you may find useful

Divyang Aggarwal

•1w

Want to buy a car for my wife to drive in the city only, for pick and drop at school, shopping, and driving in traffic. Looking for a beater car with a long warranty of around 7 to 10 years, with driving around 6,000 to 7,000 km per year. I prefer a naturally aspirated petrol automatic. Suggest a value-for-money car. I have owned a 2.8 AT Crysta for 7 years and a City ZX CVT for 3 years, both of which are doing a very good job.

Autocar India

•6d

A good choice for your wife is the Honda Amaze. You've owned a Honda City and are happy with it, so this would be a good option, as you're already in the Honda system. We'd recommend the CVT in the ZX variant if that falls in your budget. The smooth automatic gearbox will be a nice convenience in city traffic, and there are also ADAS features as a safety net for her and your child.It's comfy, spacious, efficient, easy to drive and even a bit of fun from behind the wheel. It comes with a robust 3-year/unlimited-km warranty as standard, which can be extended to 7 years/unlimited km, but what is more interesting is Honda's 'Anytime Warranty', which allows you to extend it in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. That should give you good peace of mind, and when you factor in Honda's reasonable maintenance and running costs, the Amaze CVT ends up being great value for money.

Honda Amaze

Honda City

Abhishek

•1w

I want to buy an SUV within ₹20 lakh. I am confused between Seltos, Urban Cruiser, and Sierra. My preference is automatic. I am presently using a Honda City ZX automatic, Gen V.

Autocar India

•6d

If you are considering NA versions, the Kia Seltos’ CVT is a better choice than the Tata Sierra’s DCA. The CVT is seamless in operation, similar to your Honda City’s CVT, and works well with the 1.5-litre engine, particularly in the city. While the Sierra’s DCA shifts are smooth, it can be slow to respond, with a noticeable pause between shifts.Within your budget, you can opt for the HTX trim of the Kia Seltos, which comes well-equipped with features, like a 12.3-inch HD infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and a Bose premium audio system. Do take a test drive before you decide.

Shivathmaja PS

I am looking to buy a car for my parents, who do not drive, so it will mostly be chauffeur-driven. My main priority is rear seat comfort. We are upgrading from a 2011 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. The car will mainly be used for highways and long trips, with minimal city usage. However, I would prefer an automatic transmission in case I need to use it occasionally in the city (Bengaluru). Before starting test drives, I wanted your suggestions on some suitable vehicles. Based on my initial research, I have shortlisted the following options: Honda City ZX CVT Kia Seltos HTX iVT Honda Elevate ZX CVT Škoda Slavia 1.5L Sportline DSG or 1.0 Monte Carlo AT Volkswagen Virtus Topline AT My budget is around ₹20–21 lakh. Which option would you recommend, especially considering rear seat comfort and highway usability?

Autocar India

•2w

Go for the Honda City ZX CVT. For chauffeur‑driven parents, it offers the comfiest rear bench, ample legroom, and a smooth CVT for Bengaluru traffic within your ₹20-21 lakh budget.Rear comfort is its strength: the 2,600 mm wheelbase helps knee-room, the rear seat is well-cushioned with good thigh support, and the ride is tuned soft for long trips. The 506‑litre boot easily swallows luggage for highway runs. ZX adds 6 airbags and ADAS with adaptive cruise control, useful on long highways. The CVT’s smooth creep and no shift‑shock make occasional city use easy. Versus your shortlist, Elevate’s rear bench feels upright, while Slavia/Virtus ride firmer and are more driver‑centric for back‑seat comfort.The one thing you give up is ground clearance in comparison to the Elevate. Also, if getting in and out is a concern, the Elevate's high-set seats would make it easier. A test drive should sort that out. For now, we recommend the City for its hassle-free ownership experience, reliability and most of all, a refined and comfortable cabin.

Nano

I am looking for an upgrade. Does it make sense to buy the 3XO, coming from a Honda City? Please suggest. (Also open to other options)

Autocar India

•2w

If an upgrade necessarily means a larger car for you, the Mahindra 3XO won't be the right move after a Honda City. You'd be best served by midsized SUVs, which measure between 4.3 and 4.5m. Of the current crop of mid-sized SUVs, the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Tata Sierra are the best-rounded. The new-gen Renault Duster that launches on March 17 also has promise.If vehicle size isn't a dealbreaker, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good pick. It's got powerful petrol engines, feels solid, and ride and handling are also impressive. The interior is also spacious for what is a compact SUV, and higher-spec versions pack in loads of equipment too. In fact, a fully-loaded 3XO is better equipped than a fully-loaded City.Within the compact SUV segment, you could also consider the Hyundai Venue, which is a well-rounded package.

Mayura

I own a 2018 Honda City Manual SV Petrol version, and I am planning to buy a new car. I have been driving the Honda City for more than 10-11 years due to the comfort of a luxury sedan. I am confused, as many people are suggesting that I buy an SUV like the Kia Seltos. I did a test drive and liked many of the features, but the comfort of driving a sedan was missing. Personally, my family likes sedans. But I want to know where the Honda City stands in the market. Is it losing market share due to other SUVs and EVs? Should I stick with the Honda City for a pleasurable driving experience and forget about the tech aspect of it? Also, please advise on manual vs automatic, as I feel driving an automatic will take away the pleasure of driving. Nowadays, I have heard that no one is buying manual cars because of the trend and the ease of driving. But I want to know if there is a good driving experience without gears, or if automatics are just for people who can’t manage cars with gears. Also, is the sunroof variant just for aesthetic purposes, or does it really have any usable value, considering most of my driving is in the city? A detailed review would help.

Autocar India

•4w

In terms of choosing between manual and automatic, it largely comes down to usage and personal preference. The convenience that an automatic transmission brings in stop-and-go traffic is undeniable, making it the better choice for those with long urban commutes. However, if a manual is what you prefer and the extra effort it requires in the city doesn’t bother you, then that is what you should get.It’s true the Honda City doesn’t sell as well as it once did in a market dominated by SUVs, but it remains a competent, if somewhat underwhelming, car. If you like the Honda experience and want to upgrade to an SUV, the Elevate is worth considering. It’s a spacious vehicle with good ride and handling and a slick gearbox; however, it is down on features compared to the competition.If you’d prefer to stick with the sedan formula but want something more engaging to drive, the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus should be right up your alley. They are currently among the most enjoyable sedans to drive in the segment and, even in 1.0-litre TSI form, offer more performance than the Honda City. They are also available with a manual, although Volkswagen has recently discontinued the manual on the 1.5 TSI.Finally, a sunroof is a luxury feature, not an essential. If you don’t find any practical value in it, it’s best avoided.