15 February,2017 11:52 AM IST | | CarDekho.com
The fourth-generation Honda City was introduced in the Indian market in 2014. It is one of the most popular cars in its segment, however, now its facelifted version has been introduced
The fourth-generation Honda City was introduced in the Indian market in 2014. It is one of the most popular cars in its segment, however, now its facelifted version has been introduced. While the price starts at Rs 8.5 lakh for the base variant, it goes all the way up to Rs 13.57 lakh for the top-end variants (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). The new sedan gets many cosmetic changes and some additional features. It competes against the likes of the Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and the Volkswagen Vento. What new features are being offered by the facelifted City, and do they offer as much value for money as the features offered by its competitors? Let's find out.
S Variant
The previous E variant has been discontinued and the S is the new entry level variant of the Honda City facelift. It is priced at Rs 8.5 lakh and is only available with a 1.5-litre petrol mill. It competes with other entry level variants of sedans like the Maruti Ciaz VXi (Rs 7.53 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.4 Base (Rs 7.89 lakh) and the Volkswagen Vento 1.6 Trendline (Rs 8.2 lakh). The E variant is equipped with features like dual airbags, ABS, power windows, power adjustable ORVMs, 3.5-inch audio system and LED DRLs.
If we compare all four entry level sedans, then, except for the Maruti Ciaz, all sedans are equipped with dual airbags and ABS. All of them have power windows, however, only the City and the Ciaz offer audio system this segment. As seen in most Hyundai cars, the Verna is the only car here to offer a cooled glove box. The City is the most expensive among the four but it is the only one to offer features like LED DRLs.
SV Variant
Apart from the features offered in the S variant, the SV variant offers additional features like automatic climate control, cruise control, power folding ORVMs, height adjustable driver's seat and steering-mounted audio controls. Also, starting from this variant, the new City is being offered with both petrol and diesel engines. While the SV variant with the petrol engine is priced at Rs 9.54 lakh and competes with cars like the Maruti Ciaz VXI Plus (Rs 8.14 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.6 S (Rs 9.07 lakh) and the Volkswagen Vento 1.6 Comfortline (Rs 9.17 lakh), the one with the diesel engine is priced at Rs 10.76 lakh and competes with Maruti Ciaz Vdi Plus (Rs 8.3 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.6 S (Rs 10.3 lakh) and the Volkswagen Vento 1.5 Comfortline (Rs 10.51 lakh).
All four cars in this segment offer automatic climate control, however, the Verna misses out the rear AC vents. Also, while all cars have power-adjustable ORVMs, only the Honda City offers power-foldable ORVMs. Among the four cars in this segment, only the Volkswagen Vento misses out on steering-mounted audio controls.
V variant
The V variant offers features like push button stop/start, fog lamps, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rear camera, and 15-inch alloy wheels. It is available in three drivetrain configurations: petrol mill with a manual transmission, petrol mill with a CVT transmission, and diesel engine with a manual transmission. The V variant with the petrol engine and the manual transmission is priced at Rs 10 lakh and competes with cars like the Maruti Ciaz Zxi (Rs 8.8 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.6 SX (Rs 9.79 lakh) and the Volkswagen Vento 1.6 Highline (Rs 10.09 lakh). The diesel version is priced at Rs 11.56 lakh and competes with cars like the Maruti Ciaz Zdi (Rs 8.96 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.6 SX (Rs 11.03 lakh) and the Volkswagen Vento 1.5 Highline (Rs 11.48 lakh).
Only the Honda City and the Ciaz offer push button stop/start in this segment. While the City, Vento and the Ciaz ride on 15-inch alloy wheels, the Verna offers 16-inch alloy wheels. All cars except the Ciaz feature a touchscreen infotainment system. However, only the Vento misses the rear parking camera.
As far as the automatic version is concerned, it is priced at Rs 11.54 lakh and competes with cars like the Maruti Ciaz VXi PluS AT (Rs 9.31 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.6 S AT (Rs 9.95 lakh) and Volkswagen Vento 1.2 Comfortline AT (Rs 10.42 lakh). The City is more expensive than its competitors but it stands way ahead in terms of features, as the automatic version is being offered with the higher variant V.
VX variant
The VX was the top end variant of the outgoing Honda City. In the City facelift, the VX comes loaded with features like LED headlamps and fog lamps, sunroof, leather upholstery and telescopic steering adjustments. While the petrol has two transmission options: manual and CVT, the diesel is only being offered with a manual transmission.
The petrol version with the manual transmission is priced at Rs 11.65 lakh and competes with cars like the ZXi Plus variant (Rs 9.36 lakh) of the Maruti Ciaz, 1.6 SX(O) variant (Rs 10.85 lakh) of the Hyundai Verna, and 1.6 Highline Plus variant (Rs 11.63 lakh) of the Volkswagen Vento.
The VX variant with the diesel mill is priced at Rs 12.27 lakh and competes with cars like the Maruti Ciaz Zdi Plus (Rs 9.57 lakh), Hyundai Verna 1.6 SX(O) (Rs 12.29 lakh) and the Volkswagen Vento 1.5 Highline Plus (Rs 13.08 lakh).
While all four cars feature leather upholstery, only the Ciaz misses the telescopic steering adjustments. However, only the Honda City and the Volkswagen Vento offer LED headlamps and the City also stand apart as it is the only car to offer a sunroof in this segment.
The VX variant with the CVT transmission is priced at Rs 12.85 lakh and competes with the Maruti Ciaz ZXi AT (9.96), Hyundai Verna 1.6 SX AT (Rs 10.6 lakh) and the 1.2 Volkswagen Vento Highline AT (Rs 11.34 lakh). The City is the most expensive among the four but it does offer much more features in this segment.
ZX variant
The ZX is the new top end variant of the Honda City. In addition to the features offered in the VX variant, the ZX has features like six airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, trunk spoiler, auto headlamps, LED tail lights and rain-sensing wipers. While the petrol version is only being offered with a CVT transmission and is priced at Rs 13.53 lakh, the diesel version has a manual transmission and is priced at Rs 13.57 lakh.
While no other cars in this segment have a similar price to the diesel version of the City ZX, the petrol version competes with only one car: the Volkswagen Vento 1.2 Highline Plus AT, which is priced at Rs 12.94 lakh. Although, the Vento features the same 16-inch alloy wheels as the City, it misses a lot of features that are offered in the City ZX. However, the Vento has a DSG automatic gearbox while the city has a CVT.
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