Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has dropped the base S variant equipped with manual transmission from the City Sedan’s variant option.
The Honda City S MT is no longer part of the range
This news came to light when HCPI updated the pricing of its model lineup. That said, all Honda City Sedan variants available in the Philippines now come standard with continuously variable transmission (CVT) only.
For a vehicle offered in the lucrative subcompact sedan market, the decision to drop the City Sedan with a manual gearbox is a bit surprising. Mainstream rivals such as the Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera aren’t following suit as these models still offer a manual transmission on their entry-level variants.
Three Honda City Sedan variants remain [Note: Photo shows V variant]
HCPI has not released a statement as to why it has dropped the said City Sedan variant. But, the actual unit sales of the City with manual tranny might not that be significant, prompting the car brand to not include it in its updated model price guide.
But with the standard use of a CVT, owners can expect a more fuel-efficient drive as verified by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). During AAP’s fuel efficiency test runs, the Honda City managed to post 25.17 km/l, an improvement over the model’s 2017 run that registered 23.9 km/l.
>>> Relate: Used Honda City for sale
The sporty City Sedan RS variant isn't going anywhere
The CVT is connected to a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of generating 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. For the top-of-the-line RS variant, it is offered with paddle shifters so drivers can control the ratios of the simulated gears. This is the closest you can get if you still prefer getting a manual transmission.
As said earlier, HCPI updated the price list of its models including the City. The starting price of the City S 1.5 CVT is now Php 938,000. This is a huge jump from the discontinued variant with the manual transmission which was offered at Php 848,000.
The mid-spec V 1.5 CVT and top-spec RS 1.5 CVT received price bumps to Php 1,018,000 and Php 1,078,000, respectively. Meanwhile, the model’s hatchback sibling, the City Hatchback, is now offered at Php 1,138,000, a Php 13,000 increase over the previous price tag.
Get the latest car updates at Philkotse.com.
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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