Wider, longer all-new Honda City packs more features

MANILA: Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) last night digitally launched the all-new, fifth-generation Honda City sedan.

In a speech, HCPI President Masahiko Nakamura underscored the significance of the model in the lineup of Honda. “In 2019, we had sold a total of 20,338 units.  Honda City remained our best-selling model with approximately 7,600 units sold; that was 44% share in our passenger car lineup,” he said.

At the virtual launch were (photo below, from left): HCPI's Ryohei Adachi, Masahiko Nakamura, and Atty. Louie Soriano with the New Honda CR-V and the All-New Honda City 1.5 RS CVT.

A model exclusive to the Asian market, the Honda City debuted in the Philippines in 1996 and has gone on to become HCPI’s best-selling model — with over 131,000 units sold since.

The executive noted that HCPI in 2020 sold “over 5,000 vehicles in the passenger car segment and 2,600 vehicles in the commercial vehicle segment.”

HCPI, in a release, declared that the all-new City helps the brand assert its “2030 vision of leading the advancement of mobility and enabling people around the world to improve their daily lives.” It also reaffirms the company’s commitment to provide mobility for Filipinos.

The Honda City was developed under the brand’s “Ambitious Sedan,” concept, clearly suggesting how the vehicle is endeavoring to raise the bar. The model is said to boast improved NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels — helped along through spray polyurethane foam insulation at the bottom ends of the pillars. Also, the amount of sound absorber in the engine cover is 3.5 times more compared to the previous model. “The thickness of the body is increased and stiffeners to suppress vibration are placed in each position to provide a quiet vibration-less cabin with a high-quality feeling,” added HCPI.

Standing lower by 10mm and wider by 54mm compared to the outgoing generation, the all-new City is also longer by a full 111mm. The increased length translates to more legroom for rear passengers.

It gets a new chrome front grille, front bumper, LED daytime running lights (DRLs) across all variants that “express its integrated solid wing face,” and features halogen projector headlights for other variants. Light-emitting diode (LED) tail lamps are now standard across all trims. Honda said the City’s horizontal character lines are inspired by a “katana blade in motion.”

Power-adjustable door mirrors are now appear on all variants, while the 1.5 RS CVT and 1.5 V CVT sport power folding door mirrors with integrated side turn signals.

Inside, the City features a push/start button across all trims, and a smart entry keyless system for the for 1.5 RS CVT and 1.5 V CVT, and keyless entry for 1.5 S CVT and 1.5 S MT variants. The sedan “features a spacious cabin with soft pads and polished textures, plus accents to further enhance its high-class sedan feel,” according to HCPI.

The City’s eight-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio now has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and WebLink for 1.5 RS CVT, 1.5 V CVT, and 1.5 S CVT variants. A new air-conditioning interface features rotary knobs, a digital display, and illumination. The 1.5 V CVT highlights ivory-colored accents, while the 1.5 S CVT gets full black interior. Rear ventilation is present in the 1.5 RS and 1.5 V CVT variants.

The sportier RS trim receives a high-gloss black front grille with RS logo emblem, sporty front bumper and grille, full LED Headlights with LED DRLs, LED fog lights, sporty black power folding door mirror with integrated side turn signals, gloss black trunk spoiler with RS logo, and a new 16-inch alloy wheels. New seats are covered in redesigned leather and suede with black and red stitching interior trims. The RS also gets new sport pedals, eight speakers (four of which are tweeters), and a multi-information display with red illumination. Remote engine start (a first-time feature for the City) and paddle shifters are also present. A side curtain airbag is now available.

Under the hood is a new 1.5-liter, four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC with continuous variable transmission (CVT), with maximum output of 121ps (at 6,600rpm) and 145Nm (at 4,300rpm). The manual receives a six-speed transmission.

The City continues to get Econ mode and an eco-coaching ambient light, Honda’s G-force Control collision safety body, vehicle stability assist with agile handling assist, emergency stop signal, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, hill start assist, and power door locks with speed sensing auto lock. The 1.5 RS CVT and 1.5 V CVT trims get a multi-view rear camera with dynamic guidelines. Side airbags are now present across all variants, in addition to the standard airbags. Of note, the all-new Honda City boasts a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.

The all-new city is now available at all 34 Honda dealerships nationwide and comes in six colors:

• Ignite Red Metallic (New color; 1.5 RS CVT, 1.5 V CVT, and 1.5 S CVT)
• Platinum White Pearl (New color; 1.5 RS CVT and 1.5 V CVT only)
• Modern Steel Metallic
• Taffeta White (1.5 S CVT and 1.5 S MT only)
• Lunar Silver Metallic (1.5 V CVT and 1.5 S CVT only)
• Crystal Black Pearl

*Platinum White Pearl- Additional P20,000

Honda will be offering the City at the following introductory prices from October 22 until  December 31, 2020:

VARIANT	PRICE
All-New City 1.5 RS CVT	P1,048,000
All-New City 1.5 V CVT	P968,000
All-New City 1.5 S CVT	P878,000
All-New City 1.5 S MT	P838,000

 

During the same period as well, "all current Honda owners who will refer an all-new City buyer will receive P5,000 worth of e-gift certificates for every successful referral." For more information, visit www.hondaphil.com/promos/referral-program for more information. Terms and conditions apply.

To know more about the All-New City, visit the nearest Honda Cars dealership, or access Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.’s virtual showroom through HCPI’s official website at www.hondaphil.com

All photos (except first) by Ricky Ladia for ZIGWHEELS PHILIPPINES

Also read: Honda celebrates 50 years of promoting safe and sustainable mobility