Honda has launched the fourth generation Honda City in Australia. The 2014 Honda City has dropped in price but gains an improved engine, new exterior styling, inside new technology includes Honda’s Display Audio system and reversing camera as standard on both models.
Buyers looking for a small car with large propositions wont be disappointed with the new Honda City shipping with increased headroom, legroom, shoulder room and a massive 536 litre boot!
Honda City Overview
The Honda City is squarely aimed at the younger end of the market to lure customers in to the Honda family. Fitted with a updated audio system that seamlessly integrates smartphone connectivity, occupants can view album art and wall papers, the City is also fitted with FM/AM CD, USB, speed dial. Eight speakers 2 x usb, 2 x power outlets as standard. The VTi-L gains touch screen climate control, push button start and keyless entry.
The Honda City comes in two models with the entry level VTi available in both manual and automatic transmission, whilst the range topping VTi-L is automatic only.
Prices are for the 2014 Honda City is:
VTi (manual) $15,990 a saving of $2,500
VTi (automatic) $17,990 a saving of $2,500
VTi-L (automatic) $21,390 a saving of $1,600
Honda City Engine
The new and improved 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 88kW at 6600 RPM and 145Nm @ 4600rpm. The improved 1.5-litre engine can be matched to either a five-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
On our drive program around Canberra we only had the opportunity to sample the CVT, which performed well in both city and highway conditions.
The fuel consumption has been reduced to just 5.7litres/100kms on the combined fuel cycle for the CVT, whilst the five-speed manual is slightly thirstier at 5.8-litres per 100kms.
Honda City Interior
Jumping inside the Honda City passengers are greeted with a spacious, well laid out interior that defies the small car preconceived idea of shoe boxed sizing.. Honda is claiming best-in-class boot capacity for the latest City – the 536-litre boot is massive, it’s actually larger than a Holden Commodore!
Honda have used a layered floating cockpit design with a T-zone to incorporate center console that houses the Air Conditioning (touch climate control on VTi-L), 7” Display Audio screen and storage areas.
Drivers have a multi function three spoke steering wheel (leather wrapped on the VTi-L). The instrument is clear and easy to read and uses a three dial set-up, on the left is a tachometer, in the middle the speedometer and on the right a information display that can display clock, fuel economy, temp, etc.
For a small car the rear space can easily accommodate 2 adults and a third for short journeys. Rear legroom is very accommodating and even with tall front occupants the rear passengers can still ride in comfort.
Honda City Exterior & Styling
The updated styling to the Honda City sees a new aerodynamic shape and bodylines. Designers have lowered the line running from the roof to the front of the car producing a more coupe like appearance on the Honda City, the addition of the sporty front bumper also helps with the coupe like appearance.
From the side profile the sharp line running from the front door, over flared rear wheel arches in to the rear taillights gives a progressive look and makes the Honda City look larger than it is.
The rear of the car continues the visual trickery to make the car look larger than it is. Rear combination taillights extend to the boot lid and continue on to with the chrome-plated license plate, along with shark fin antenna rounds out the premium look.
Honda City On The Road
We drove the Honda City at the Australian launch in Canberra and found the City to be a classy small car. Driving around town the City proved to be capable of delivering a pleasant and rewarding driving experience. The Honda City dealt with small bumps without issue, however larger bumps caused the City to become unhinged, fast sharp cornering also produced some noticeable body roll.
The Honda City gets good level of standard safety features including side, front and full-length curtain airbags, stability and traction control functions, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist and a reverse camera.
Honda City Issues
The Honda City engine noise can be intrusive when pushing the car hard under acceleration. Lack of external boot opening is also an oversight.
Honda City Competition
The Honda City falls in to the light passenger segment that is hotly contested. In this competitive market you must check the features of each model in detail to make sure you are getting a true value comparison.
Ford’s German-origin Fiesta sedan has a larger 1.6-litre petrol engine and is also available with a diesel engine price for the Fiesta sedan start at $17,490
The Holden Cruze technically isn’t the same segment as the Honda City but withyou still need to test drive the locally built small car. The Cruze is more expensive and starts from $19,490 for the 1.8-litre Equipe sedan.
Others on our list would be the Hyundai Accent ($16,990 for the 1.6-litre Active model) and Nissan Almera ($16,990 for the 1.5-litre ST).
Honda City Verdict
Like all Honda’s the build quality and finish is top notch on the Honda City, it can easily lay claim to be being best in class and has raised the bar for its competitors to reach.
The Honda City is a great small car that challenges even larger rivals. While most buyers are looking at hatchbacks you would be silly not to consider the Honda City sedan.
