2021 Honda City Hatchback debuts, priced at P1,115,000

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) has finally launched the much-awaited City Hatchback. The model follows the arrival of the fifth-generation sedan version which premiered in the Philippine market in October 2020, marking the return of the body style last seen in 1994.  

2021 Honda City Hatchback Quick Look: A worthy Jazz replacement?

Coming back after more than two decades, the Honda City Hatchback is available in a single RS trim 

While both the sedan and hatchback share a common platform, Honda says that the latter offers more leg room. And unlike its sedan sibling, the City Hatchback is available exclusively in RS trim, replacing the outgoing third-generation Jazz in the local market.    

Exterior 

The City Hatchback measures 4,349mm long, 1,748mm wide, and 1,488mm tall, mostly trumping both its Toyota Yaris and Mazda2 rivals while standing 204mm shorter than the City sedan. Much like on the City sedan RS trim, the City Hatchback’s fascia features a honeycomb grille and piano-black trim element bearing the RS badge. LED daytime running lights feature prominently on top of the full LED headlamps, while round LED foglights are tucked inside sport-type garnishings on the lower corners of the front bumper.   

The rear end says it all

The City Hatchback’s profile is practically identical to that on its trunked sibling, right down to the 16-inch RS design alloy wheels that come in a Berlina Black colorway as opposed to the silver shoes on the sedan. A tailgate provides access to the cargo area at the back, flanked by LED tail lamps hovering over the rear bumper with revised diffusers. The rear window is accompanied by body-colored roof spoiler.   

Interior

Honda claims that the City Hatchback offers more leg room that the sedan version, even though it retains the latter’s 2,600mm wheelbase. There’s room for up to five occupants, thanks to the Ultra seats carried over from the Jazz and the HR-V. These can be configured in four modes – Utility, Long, Tall, and Refresh – to offer flexibility when carrying both passengers and cargo. Leather and suede are the default materials for the upholstery.

Seating is just as flexible as on the outgoing Jazz subcompact hatchback 

Piano black accents abound in areas such as the garnish and power outlets. An air of sportiness dominates the black interior palette with red trims. The rear view mirror can be adjusted manually, while sun visors for both driver and front passenger come with vanity mirrors. There’s even a tonneau cover for the rear cargo area to obscure your valuable from would-be thieves.

The ULTR seats, adopted from the Jazz.

Tech & Safety

Two large analog gauges dominate the instrument panel, just beyond the adjustable leather steering wheel with audio and communications controls. The automatic air-conditioning system features rotary knobs and rear vents, while an 8-inch touchscreen audio head unit rests between the central air outlets. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as well as Bluetooth and two USB ports. A total of 8 speakers spread throughout the cabin deliver audio for calls and entertainment.

Automatic air-conditioning and an 8-inch touchscreen are among the City Hatchback's tech features 

The City Hatchback’s standard safety equipment includes six airbags, a driver’s side knee bolster, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability assist, and hill start assist. A multi-view rear camera reduces blind spots when backing into confined spaces, and child car seats can be secured using ISOFIX anchors.     

Engine & Drivetrain

Like the City RS, the City Hatchback is propelled by a Euro 4-compliant 1.5L i-VTEC gasoline engine that can muster 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque.

The City Hatchback uses the same powertrain as the regular City sedan

A continuously variable transmission sends the power to the front wheels and can be manually engaged using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Electric power steering allows the City hatchback a turning radius of five meters.    

Price      

The 2021 Honda City Hatchback RS will be offered at a price of Php 1,115,000, representing a premium of Php 57,000 over the sedan version. The City Hatch is also available with a White Pearl exterior paint for an additional Php 20,000. As this is an import model, the additional Php 70,000 safeguard tariff will apply, yet HCPI will only require Php 13,000 as deposit to ease the financial cost to its customers.

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