Honda City 2020 Philippines Review: Here's what we know so far

Honda City, manufactured by Honda since 1981 and up to this day is still one of its top-selling sedan models. The currently available version is desired because of the decent power output its 1.5-liter mill provides all while being much more affordable and accessible than the Honda Civic.

Also, in comparing it to other models in its market segment, the City has more features and is better looking too. So In short, the City’s a lot of car for your buck.

The current 6th generation of the City though has been around since 2014 and while it had a mid-life facelift in 2017. As such, the release of a new, next-gen version is highly appropriate and very timely. And yes indeed, Honda has quietly been working on an all-new 7^th gen Honda City 2020 which will be revealed by the end of the year.

Here's the 6th gen and currently available Honda City. Still looks great but the platform is aging

As of the recent months, the fact that a new City is coming is no big secret as there is already a lot of speculation with regards to the next-generation Honda City popping up in numerous places on the internet. So to pitch in, here’s Philkotse.com's take on what we know so far about the next-generation Honda City 2020 Philippines and what we can expect from it.

 As we’ve said earlier, there’s a lot of speculation for the 2020 Honda City exterior, what it will look like. Some say that it will look like the Honda Crider which in the Chinese market, fills in the gap between the Honda Civic and the Honda Accord instead of the Honda City.

Visually, the Crider looks like a cross between the current-gen Civic and the current-gen Accord. It’s also larger than the currently available City.

One rumor about the 2020 Honda City is that it would look exactly like the Honda Crider

Others though will say that the new City won’t be something like the Crider at all and instead it will still be based on the Jazz. A sedan version if you will.

Another speculation is that it will still have the same proportions of the current Honda City 2019 all the while having a new stylish design inspired by the latest premium Honda models like the Accord and the Insight. This last supposition might indeed ring true as the 2020 Honda City test unit clad in camo was spotted running around in Ayutthaya, Thailand where Honda has two production hubs.

Here are some spy shots of the upcoming 7th generation 2020 Honda City test unit

As you can see from the really blurry pictures, the new Honda City exterior looks very much like the Civic. It has a pair of upswept headlights which we assume to be LEDs with DRLS and upfront, it has this really chunky grille slat. Also seen on the test unit were a set of multi-spoke allow wheels.

At the rear, it appears that Honda has given the new City a pair of rounded tail-lights which of course is a departure from the Civic’s C-shaped pair. Also, the shape of the boot-lid is a bit different than the current City. And lastly, the rear windshield is more upright than the Civic’s and will presumably provide for a better interior space and better rear visibility.

While waiting for the new Honda City officially hits the Philippines shores, take a look at our expert Honda City 2019 Philippines review to get a comprehensive understanding of this sedan.

According to a reliable source, the cabin of the next-generation Honda City will be equipped with a new touchscreen infotainment system with more in the way of connectivity options. Also, the cabin itself will be made out of better, upmarket materials.

As for how it is designed, the source also says that it will either be based on the existing Honda City or it will look something like the interior of the Civic.

All New Honda City 2020 Thailand SPY SHOT

As you might already know, the Honda City in other countries specifically Japan and Malaysia has access to the 1.5 L SOHC i-VTEC paired with an electric motor which combined is rated to make around 135 horsepower and 170 nm of torque.

The existence of the Hybrid Honda City begs then begs the question: will it come with the 7^th generation version? It appears it will as Honda already expressed their intention to expand the usage of their i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) two-motor hybrid system. Remember though that this possible engine option will, of course, drive up the Honda city 2020 price Philippines.

Another engine choice that might be coming with the all-new 2020 Honda City is the 1.0-liter VTEC Turbo inline-3 which is currently available in the European version of the Civic. On that model, it makes 127 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. This is also very likely has Honda in recent years have been slowly adding turbocharged models to their line-up.

>>> Related: Modified Honda City: Tips & tricks to upgrade the small sedan

One option for the engine of new 2020 Honda City is 1.0-liter VTEC Turbo inline-3

And lastly, there’s also a possibility that the reliable 1.5 inline-4 might make a return with the 2020 City. Honda has done this “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude before especially by re-using the K-series engine on a lot of models before so the idea of the 1.5 making a return isn’t a stretch at all.

As for the transmission, consider that the current Civic doesn’t have a manual and only has CVTs for its variants. That too might be the case for the upcoming City as it is in-line with Honda’s intention to streamline all Honda model lineup.

With the 2020 Test unit being spotted in Ayutthaya where Honda has two manufacturing facilities, it is safe to say that the Honda City 2020 will indeed come to the Philippines. Models that are released in Thailand do eventually pop-up here after all.

There is a high chance that the all-new City will also be manufactured here in the Philippines, specifically in Santa Rosa where Honda has a large manufacturing facility that’s been making Honda City units for a long time.

 Also, it has been announced that the 2020 Honda City will be unveiled at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show in October so yeah, those who are really excited and thirsting for more details might not have to wait until the end of the year at all. As for the exact Honda city 2020 release date Philippines, many have guessed that to take place somewhere around the end of the year.

Are you excited for the upcoming Honda City 2020 Philippines? We know you are! So for now, stay tuned and regularly visit this page since Philkotse will surely keep you updated the latest news about this long-awaited sedans. 

>>> List of new and used Honda City for sale on Philkotse