2021 Honda City hatchback debuts in Thailand. Is the Philippines next?

Updated Nov 25, 2020 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

Apart from the rear end, the City hatchback is nearly identical to its sedan brother

After reading a lot of online rumors about it, you’ll probably be excited to learn that Honda has finally launched the Honda City hatchback in Thailand.

2021 Honda City Hatchback: Will this replace the Jazz in the Philippines? | Philkotse Quick Look

It uses the same platform as the current Philippine-spec and Thai-spec Honda City, and no, it doesn’t look anything like the new Jazz that’s currently available in Japan.

>>> Related: 2021 Honda City debuts: Sleek design, more tech toys, initial pricing

Exterior

As hinted by the leaked patent images, the City hatchback pretty much bears the same overall exterior design as its sedan brother. The front fascia, as well as all the parts up to the B-pillar are the same as the sedan version. Being a hatch, however, the rear is a total departure to the design of the City.

A picture of the 2021 Honda City Hatch RS variant

The 2021 Honda City Hatchback Thai-spec RS Turbo variant

For starters, the rear tail lamps jut out further and looks totally different from the ones on the City sedan. The rear bumper also looks different, but there are similar elements like the pair of reflectors on its sides. It’s also a lot slanted than the sedan’s rear window, but the bumper is still very angular.

The Honda City Hatchback RS Turbo's tail lights

The Honda City Hatchback RS Turbo's taillights

>>> Related: 2021 Honda City Old vs New: Spot the differences

Just like the Honda City RS and the Thai-spec RS Turbo, the City hatch variant is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED front fog lights, LED taillights, and LED daytime running lights. It also has a roof-mounted rear spoiler, as well as a shark-fin antenna up top.

And lastly, the new City hatch has a length of 4,345 mm, a width of 1,748 mm, a height of 1,488 mm. It is shorter than the City sedan by 208 mm, but it does share the same width and height.

Also, the City Hatchback RS Turbo is slightly longer than the lower-spec City hatch variants at 4,349 mm due to its beefier front fascia.

A picture of the side of the Honda City Hatchback

It bears the same design as the sedan version until you see the rear

Interior and Safety Features

As with the exterior, the interior arrangement looks similar to the Honda City. It can still comfortably fit five people, all the seats are clad in leather, and the dash still bears an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The largest difference however is that the rear compartment can now be accessed from the rear seats. It is, after all, a hatch. This provides an airier interior feel than the sedan. 

A picture of the interior of the Honda City Hatchback

Inside the City Hatchback, you'll find that it doesn't deviate much from the sedan version

We’re also certain that fitting in larger cargo on the trunk is now much easier with this body type. This is because when the rear seats are folded flat, it provides a slightly wider, contiguous flat surface than that of the sedan version. At the same time, the rear seats can also slide further backward to provide even more legroom.

As with the Philippine-spec Honda City RS and the Thai-spec RS Turbo, the City hatchback is equipped with stability control, traction control, speed-sensing door locks, hill start assist, a security alarm with engine immobilizer, ISOFIX, and six airbags.

>>> Related: 2021 Honda City: Expectations and everything we know so far

A picture of the rear of the Honda City hatch

The highlight of the Honda City Hatchback is its rear end

It also has cruise control, a push to start button, the Honda Smart key System, automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, telescopic and tilt-adjustable steering wheel, as well as a reverse camera.

Powertrain

For the version launched in Thailand, the City hatchback gets only one engine option. It’s the same turbocharged three-cylinder engine found on the City RS Turbo, and it can make up to 122 horsepower and 173 Nm of torque.

On that note, we’re expecting the City hatchback to get the 1.5-liter inline-4 mill found on the current PH-spec City. That is, if Honda Philippines decides to introduce the hatchback version locally.

>>> Related: All-new 2021 Honda City RS already available with low DP promo

Price

The Honda City hatchbacks start from a higher price point than its sedan brother. This is because the entry-level City hatch variant has better specs in comparison to the entry-level Honda City sedan.

That said, the City hatchback’s base variant is called the City Hatchback S+ and it is priced in Thailand at 599,000 Baht. The top-of-the-line variant called the City RS Turbo Hatchback on the other hand sits at 749,000 Baht. Converted to Philippine pesos with the current exchange rate, the City hatchback has a price range of Php 950,794 to Php 1,188,889.

There's also a midrange variant called the City Hatchback SV priced at 675,000 Baht or Php 1,071,623.

A picture of the Honda City Hatchback

Do you want to see the Honda City Hatchback locally?

If Honda PH introduced the City hatchback locally, we’re guessing that it will mirror the specs of the 2021 Honda City available here. That said, its price might sit a bit lower compared to the Thai-spec versions due to its simpler naturally aspirated engine.

However, it still might come with a higher price tag than the locally available City just like in the Thai market.

As we’ve said before in our previous 2021 Honda Jazz article, there’s also the possibility that the City hatchback might replace the current Philippine-spec Jazz instead of the new Jazz/Fit currently available in the Japanese market. 

A picture of the Honda Hatchback's entry-level variant

The Honda City Hatchback S+ entry-level variant

Historically, several models of the Jazz prior to the current Japanese-spec Jazz/Fit were indeed based on the City, and that might happen once again for our market. For this to come true though, it all hinges on whether Honda Philippines will bring the City hatchback to the local market or not. 

For more automotive news and the latest car reviews, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.

Know more about Honda City 2024

Honda City

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

Explore
Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

View more