There’s a good reason why Honda City Hatchback only has one variant

Updated Apr 21, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

Do you agree?

The introduction of the new Honda City Hatchback sparked conversations among car buyers wondering why the model only has one variant, namely the RS variant. In case you didn’t know by now, the RS variant is the range-topping trim for most Honda models in the country.

That said, the potential buyers of the new hatchback from Honda won’t have the option to go for a more affordable trim. The introductory price of the City Hatchback is Php 1,115,000, a price that many regards as relatively expensive and prompted them to ask the brand to introduce lower-end variants.

Honda City Hatchback front view

The new Honda City Hatchback RS

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), the official business unit of Honda in the country, has answers regarding the matter. According to the Japanese carmaker, the local hatchback segment is slowly drifting to the dark and becoming more of a niche due to the emerging crossover segment.

Crossover vehicles have been the go-to for many Filipino families due to a few reasons such as an increased size as compared to a hatchback with only slight differences in price. HCPI added that car buyers also generally opt for the top-of-the-line variant so introducing lower-end variants for the City Hatchback isn’t the best marketing move for them.
Honda City Hatchback rear view

The RS variant adds sportiness to the overall design

The top-spec RS variant of the City Hatchback comes with variant-exclusive RS body kits from the front to the back to showcase a sportier and more aggressive on-road appeal. It is powered by the same 1.5-liter gasoline engine as its subcompact sedan counterpart that makes 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque.

As of this writing, HCPI didn’t clarify whether it will add new lower-end variants for its newest hatchback entry or not. HCPI is currently in an attempt to prove that it did the right decision for discontinuing the Jazz to make room for the newest hatchback entry. We guess only time can tell whether the sole variant of the City Hatchback will manage to pull it off.

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Know more about Honda City Hatchback 2024

Honda City Hatchback

The Honda City Hatchback is the more compact version of the seventh-generation Honda City. In the Philippines market, this model only has one variant: the City Hatchback RS 1.5 CVT. Currently, it is priced at Php 1,153,000. 

Propelling the City Hatchback is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. The said engine is capable of making up to 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The sole trim for this model uses a continuously variable transmission, which sends power to its front wheels. 

In terms of size, the 2022 Honda City Hatchback is 4,349mm long, 1,748mm wide, and 1,488mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,600mm, a ground clearance of 134mm, and a curb weight of 1,141kg. 

Locally, the Honda City Hatchback rivals the likes of the Toyota Yaris and the Mazda 2 Hatchback

₱ 1,153,000

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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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