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

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.

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 taillights

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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.

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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