2020 Honda City: What To Expect?

New-gen City’s details have been kept under wraps but here’s everything to know thus far

Update: Honda has launched the fifth-gen City in India with prices beginning from Rs 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). You can read more about it here.

The next-gen Honda City is likely to make its global debut in Thailand this November and is expected to arrive in India soon after. The fifth-gen City has been spied multiple times over the year, testing in India as well, and might make its Indian debut at launch only. Let’s round-up on what the new Honda City is expected to offer and how it will be different from the current-gen model.

Exterior

• The first thing to note, based on spy shots, is that the India-spec new-gen Honda City will be slightly different in appearance to the Thai-spec model. Honda has kept the car under wraps for now to avoid revealing much before the official debut.

• It looks similar to the current-gen model in terms of the silhouette as a compact sedan offering but it is expected to feature Honda’s latest design language as seen on the latest-gen Honda Accord, Amaze and Civic.

• The new-gen City should feature new all-LED headlamps and taillamps.

• It is expected to be larger than the current-model with slightly more space inside.

• Overall, the new City is expected to feature a more upmarket styling

Interior

• Honda is expected to pack the most changes in the cabin of the new-gen City.

• It is likely to get a new dashboard with new technology that was first spied on the next-gen Jazz.

• The City is also expected to get a large central touchscreen display and a new digital instrument cluster similar to that of the Civic or CR-V.

• It will likely feature leather upholstery, auto AC, rear AC vents, sunroof with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility for the infotainment system as usual. But Honda may add other upmarket features like wireless charging, connected car technology and ventilated front seats to the feature list.

Powertrain

• Honda’s new City will be powered by BS6 compliant versions of the same 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that are currently on offer.

• The 1.5-litre petrol engine may also be updated to feature direct injection which would improve its performance and efficiency. It is expected to come with a new 6-speed manual along with the tried and tested CVT-automatic.

• The diesel engine is currently only offered with a 6-speed manual but the CVT-auto is expected to be introduced in the new-gen model.

• Honda had also announced that its i-MMD(intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) petrol-hybrid drivetrain will be offered with the new Jazz, so expect it to introduced on the new City as well. However, it may not be introduced in India as it would make it a pricer offering. However, Honda might offer a mild-hybrid system with the City. 

Pricing

The current Honda City retails between Rs 9.81 lakh to Rs 14.16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). In its new avatar with updated powertrains, expect the City to be priced between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. It will continue to compete against the Hyundai Verna, Maruti Ciaz, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid. The Verna is due for a mid-life update which is expected to arrive in by 2019 or early 2020.