Honda City: Upgrade or Wait?

As of now, there are 7 Honda cars in India, of which 4 are available for purchase, and 3 are upcoming. Honda car prices in India range from Rs 7.65 lakh to Rs 48 lakh.
Honda is a Japanese carmaker known for its refined engineering, smooth petrol engines and focus on reliable long-term ownership. In India, it has traditionally competed with brands like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata in the mass-market space. But now, as per us at Autocar India, the brand is moving towards the premium segment with the launch of ZR-V, a fully imported hybrid SUV. Plus, the upcoming Prelude coupe and 0 Alpha electric SUV will help push the brand further in that direction.
Benchmark | Model | Detail |
Cheapest Honda car | Amaze | Rs 7.65-10.00 lakh |
Most expensive Honda car | ZR-V | Rs 47.99 lakh |
Newest model in the line-up | ZR-V | Launched on 25 July 2026 |
Only Bharat NCAP 5-star rated Honda car | Amaze | Scored 28.33/32 in adult occupant protection |
Only Honda model sold as a CBU import | ZR-V | Fully imported from Japan in limited batches |
Only strong-hybrid Honda car on sale | ZR-V | 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid, claimed 22.8kpl |
Honda's first electric SUV in India | 0 Alpha | Expected launch in 2027 |
Honda's first two-door model in India | Prelude | Two-door hybrid coupe, expected late 2026 |
Upcoming Honda cars in India | Elevate facelift, Prelude | Both expected by late 2026 |
Where Honda cars are made | Tapukara plant, Rajasthan | Honda Cars India's only manufacturing facility |
There is a wide gap between the Elevate and the ZR-V, nearly about Rs 31 lakh, and as per the current scenario, Honda currently has no model to bridge it. And, once 0 Alpha and Prelude arrive, as per our understanding, this gap will widen even further.
Based on the questions we received from real owners through our Ask Autocar Anything section, here’s what we can say about Honda’s after-sales service:
For buyers, our takeaway is to check reviews of the specific Honda dealership in your city before buying, rather than assuming a uniform experience.
Honda Car | Testing Body | Adult Occupant Protection | Child Occupant Protection |
Honda Amaze (3rd-gen) | Bharat NCAP | 5 stars (28.33/32) | 4 stars (40.81/49) |
Honda City | Not tested by Bharat NCAP | Not rated | Not rated |
Honda Elevate | Not tested by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP | Not rated | Not rated |
Honda ZR-V | Not yet tested | Not rated | Not rated |
Important points to consider:
Your usage | Best match | Why? |
First car, tight budget, mostly city driving | Honda Amaze | The rear seat is more accommodating, there’s good legroom, and the CVT makes daily city driving easy. |
Chauffeur-driven or rear-seat comfort is a priority | Honda City | The rear seat is comfortable and the ride stays stable without being wobbly or jerky. |
Elevated driving position and easier ingress for elderly passengers | Honda Elevate | The higher seating makes it easier to get in and out, especially for elderly passengers. |
A strong-hybrid powertrain for lower running costs | Honda City e:HEV | The strong-hybrid system runs on electric power for a large part of city driving, which cuts fuel costs without giving up boot space or rear-seat comfort. |
Honda badge and hybrid tech, budget is not a constraint | Honda ZR-V | It's Honda's only CBU import in India that comes loaded with kit and uses the brand's most advanced hybrid powertrain. |



















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Hi, I’m planning to buy the Honda Elevate ZX CVT Adventure, and the dealer has offered it to me for Rs 18.5 lakh on-road. As part of the deal, they are also offering a seven-year extended warranty, five-year RSA (Roadside Assistance) and a dashcam. Do you think this is a good deal and worth buying at Rs 18.5 lakh? I’d appreciate your advice, especially on whether the additional warranty and RSA add meaningful value to the deal.
Hi all, I’m considering buying the Skoda Slavia 1.0-litre facelift automatic, which will be chauffeur-driven. I’d like to know how the suspension and ride quality are from the rear seat, especially over potholes and speed breakers. Does it have any issues with excessive body roll or jerks over rough roads? Also, are there any cooling or AC issues, as I’ve heard some complaints about the older models? I’ve also considered the Honda City, but overall, I preferred the Slavia as it felt far better to drive. Would appreciate genuine feedback from existing owners, particularly on the above concerns. Thanks!
Hi, I want to buy a car under a budget of Rs. 4 lakh. Should I go for pre-owned car or increase my budget to get a new one after some time? In case of pre owned car, which car should I buy? My monthly running is around 800 km mostly in city areas.
I am buying a Honda Elevate and need a review of the dealer-fitted 360-degree camera system. Is it good, or can I get something better in the aftermarket? The dealer mentioned that they would disconnect the rear camera and connect it to the 360-degree camera setup. I am sceptical about this and am not sure if I am thinking about it the right way. Can you guide me?
Honda City
Kausar Mondal•28 September 2026
I really like the new facelift design for the Honda City. The updated front look and LED lights make the car look more attractive and modern on the road. The engine is very smooth and refined, especially for city drives and long highway trips. Mileage is decent and looks sporty. The perfect sedan for this price.
View all City ReviewsHonda Amaze
Bhavesh•26 September 2026
Honda Amaze is best in segment now, offering good mileage and top-notch reliability. Honda has the best CVT.
View all Amaze ReviewsHonda Elevate facelift
V Reddy•24 September 2026
Nvh to high.boxy cabin.one can feel the minor jerks and road bumps inside the cabin
View all Elevate facelift ReviewsHonda ZR-V
Autocar User•18 September 2026
As a big Honda fan, ZRV has let down Honda lovers. The under-thigh support for rear passengers isn't good. At 48 lakhs ex-showroom, there will be very few buyers. Overall, ZRV might flop in India. Honda should think about bringing the CR-V here.
View all ZR-V ReviewsHonda Elevate
Williams•26 September 2026
I have been using the Honda Elevate for 3 years now and have covered 47,000 kms. If you are looking at mileage per day, it's lesser as I get 11/12 km/l since it's automatic. But if you are a peaceful driver, you will get the most out of it.
View all Elevate ReviewsHonda's car prices start at 6.98 lakh and go up to 21 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the model and variant selected.
Honda currently sells one SUV in India, the Honda Elevate. Its ex-showroom price starts at ₹11.68 lakh.
Honda offers two sedans in India: Amaze and City. The Amaze is priced between ₹6.98 lakh and ₹10 lakh. Meanwhile, the Honda City price starts at ₹12.08 lakh and goes up to ₹21 lakh (ex-showroom).
Yes. There are three new Honda cars scheduled to launch in India. The list includes: Honda ZR-V, Honda Elevate facelift, and Honda Prelude. All are expected to launch in 2026. The brand has also unveiled the 0 Alpha concept.
Last Updated on: 30 Sept 2026