The City is one of the best-selling Honda vehicles in the Philippines. Last year, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) sold more than 3,000 units of the City, making it the second best-selling car of the brand last 2020.
With that in mind, the Honda City is one of the models that are driven to help HCPI’s recovery in the local market. In 2020, Honda reportedly posted a 74-percent drop in sales, which is primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The said drop is expected since the pandemic brought upon limited economic activity and low demand for cars.
2021 Honda City Sedan - V variant (left); RS variant (right)
Despite that, HCPI still managed to end 2020 on a positive note as it launched the all-new City and the facelifted CR-V. However, with the tight competition in the local market, as well as with the impending safeguard duties on imported cars, the newly launch models could still not be enough.
As such, it seems that HCPI is all set to ace up its sleeve this year. To do just that, the brand is looking to launch the all-new Honda City Hatchback in the Philippine market.
The news about the possibility of launching the City Hatchback in the local market was first reported by Autoindustriya. According to the report, HCPI president Masahiko Nakamura said that the brand is planning to launch the all-new Honda City Hatchback in the Philippines.
The Honda City Hatchback
The all-new Honda City Hatchback made its global debut in November 2020 in Thailand. It shares similar design cues with the City Sedan except for the rear design.
The Thai-spec City Hatchback is equipped with a 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that generates 120 hp and 173 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission.
But, don’t get your hopes high just yet since there’s a good chance that the Philippine-spec City Hatchback won’t be getting the 1.0-liter turbo gasoline engine.
The reason for this is that HCPI did not opted to offer the said engine when it launched the all-new City Sedan last October 2020.
What’s more likely to expect is that the Philippine-spec City Hatchback will come with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC gasoline engine that puts out 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque, which is the same power unit found in the City Sedan.
Honda City Hatchback
On the other hand, the local launch of the City Hatchback could also mean that it will be the replacement model for the Jazz. As such, the Jazz’s time in the Philippines could more likely come to an end if HCPI did bring in the City Hatchback this year.
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Know more about Honda City 2024
The 2024 Honda City is a subcompact sedan. In the Philippine market, its four variants are City E, City S, City V, and City RS—the prices for these range from Php 973,000 to Php 1,148,000.
Size-wise, the refreshed City for 2024 is 4,580mm long, 1,748mm wide, and 1,467mm in height. The RS trim is a bit longer at 4,589mm. All trims then get a wheelbase length of 2,600mm and a ground clearance of 134mm.
Under its hood is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making up to 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Locally, the Honda City competes against the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Mazda3, Nissan Almera, Hyundai Accent, MG 5, etc.
Honda City Launch
The refreshed 2024 Honda City was introduced to the Philippine market on June 13, 2023. It was launched locally with four available variants: the E, S, V, and RS.
Of note, the 2024 model updates the seventh-generation GN model which was initially introduced back in 2019.
Honda City Exterior
On the outside, the Honda City’s top-spec trim gets LED headlamps and the stylish RS kit which provides a high gloss black finish for many of its parts. All come standard with LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights.
The City then sits on a set of 16-inch alloys for the RS. The V and S meanwhile, gets 16-inch or 15-inch alloy wheels respectively. The S uses a set of 15-inch steel wheels.
Other equipment available to the City includes power-folding side mirrors, side mirror integrated signal lamps, a trunk lid switch, a trunk spoiler, and an automatic on/off for the headlamps.
Honda City Interior
The City can comfortably seat up to five occupants which are then kept cool by an automatic or manual climate control system depending on the trim. The RS gets more convenience features in the form of a rear seat armrest, and rear seat accessory ports. It also has more cupholders numbering 4.
The model’s top-spec trim likewise has the fanciest-looking interior. This is because it gets leather-clad seats, and RS trim finishes. Plenty of bits of the City RS cabin also get a red contrasting color.
For the driver, this Honda sedan gets a 4.2-inch TFT color meter, an analog gauge cluster, a urethane steering wheel, and a tilt and telescopic steering column.
Technology & Safety Features
Providing entertainment aboard the Honda City is an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For the RS, this display is linked to a total of eight speakers.
Safety for all City variants is handled by the Honda Sensing suite. This includes adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keep assist, road departure warning, lane departure warning, auto high beams, and a lead car departure notification warning.
Standard safety equipment for this Honda model includes ISOFIX child seat anchors, anti-lock braking, stability control, speed-sensing door locks, and dual front airbags. Only the RS and V trims get a reverse camera. All variants get side airbags, but only the RS gets side curtain airbags.
Platform & Chassis
The Honda City uses a front-engine, front-wheel-drive chassis under the Honda Global Small Car Platform. Ride comfort is provided by McPherson struts for the front and a torsion beam suspension for the rear.
Braking for this model is provided by front discs and rear drums. It also uses a hand-operated manual parking brake.
Honda City Engine & Drivetrain
The 2024 City carries over the 1.5-liter found on the pre-facelift model. At maximum, this engine can churn out 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Power is sent to its wheels via a CVT.
Honda City Q&A
1. Does the Honda City come offered with a front-wheel drive option?
Yes, it does.
2. Which Honda City variant has a sunroof?
The sunroof is not available on any variants of the Honda City, even the top-spec model.
3. Is the Honda City a fuel-efficient sedan?
Yes. According to the fuel efficiency test result by the Department of Energy, the Honda City consumes roughly 26.02 km/l.
4. Is the Honda City Philippines a good car?
Definitely. The Honda City is considered one of the most exquisite handling cars in its segment. Moreover, it is backed with a comfortable ride quality thanks to its sorted suspension setup of independent MacPherson struts with a stabilizer up-front and an H-shaped torsion beam with a stabilizer at the back.
5. Is the Honda City classified as a sedan?
Yes. The Honda City is the entry of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. to the subcompact sedan segment in the Philippine market.
₱ 973,000 - ₱ 1,128,000
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