After nearly three years since the debut of the fifth-generation City, Honda has revealed the sedan’s facelifted model for 2023.
2023 Honda City
The design tweaks on the 2023 Honda City are glaring, coming with a sportier appearance. But perhaps the most significant update is in the tech department where the City is now available with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which we will get into more later.
Exterior
First, let’s talk about the exterior updates. The 2023 Honda City comes with exterior tweaks including a new grille with a diamond chequered flag pattern, a new front bumper, a new rear bumper, and newly-designed 16-inch two-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels.
The new City in Obsidian Blue Pearl
Honda is showcasing the subcompact sedan’s new color called Obsidian Blue Pearl. This is offered along with other paint options including Lunar Silver Metallic, Radiant Red Metallic. Platinum White Pearl, Golden Brown Metallic, and Meteoroid Grey Metallic.
Interior
The new Honda City welcomes passengers with its two-tone beige & black interior theme. Meanwhile, a two-tone ivory and black interior theme is fitted into the range-topping City e:HEV.
Premium-looking interior
Among the new features in the updated model are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an improved infotainment system with new background and colors, a remote control operation via smartphone application, an improved rear camera, a wireless charger, and rain-sensing wipers.
Tech & Safety
Since the City carries a Honda badge, the subcompact sedan is using the brand’s own Honda Sensing. In line with the Japanese automaker’s Global Safety Vision to strive for zero collision fatalities involving its cars by 2050, the Honda Sensing offers a suite of ADAS functions to keep drivers and other road users safe.
The City is now equipped with Honda Sensing
The new Indian-spec Honda City is equipped with the following Honda Sensing functions:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Road Departure Mitigation System
- Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
- Lead Car Departure Notification System
- Auto High Beam
In addition, the top-ranging Honda City e:HEV gets a Low-Speed Follow (LSF) function for its ACC, allowing the latter to operate even at low-speed traffic conditions including from a standstill.
An ADAS is still considered a unique feature in the subcompact sedan market. So much so that here in the Philippines, the Nissan Almera is the only one out of the many in its segment to offer an ADAS with the brand’s Intelligent Mobility.
With that being said, the updated 2023 City with the Honda Sensing should heat the competition up if Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) plans to bring it in. But as of this writing, the company has yet to put out a word regarding the matter.
Engine & Powertrain
Under the hood is still a 1.5-liter i-VTEC DOHC engine with 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). The diesel power unit has been dropped from the range.
It comes out looking sportier than ever
As for the City e:HEV, the hybrid model uses the same engine but with the addition of a self-charging and highly-efficient two-motor e-CVT hybrid system. It offers three driving modes including an EV Drive Mode, which drives the vehicle using the propulsion motor only.
Price
The 2023 Honda City starts at 1,149,000 Indian Rupees (or around Php 764,000). For those who wish to opt for the hybrid model, it starts at 1,889,000 Indian Rupees (Php 1.256 million).
“Honda City has been our strongest pillar of business, defining the midsize sedan segment in India, and has achieved immense success during its 25-year glorious legacy. With India as the lead market for the model, we are excited to introduce the new City with [a] sportier new look and enhanced new features for advanced safety, connectivity, and convenience,” said Honda Cars India, Ltd. President, and CEO Takuya Tsumura.
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