2023 Honda City Petrol AT Review

Introduction

Hyundai Verna's latest generation is now the Honda City's primary challenger. Both midsize cars are equipped with ADAS capabilities. However, the Honda City's system is based on cameras, while the Hyundai Verna's system is based on triple radar and cameras. On the other hand, the Honda City provides the ADAS, each starting with the second base V version, making it the most reasonably priced ADAS-equipped vehicle in India. The honda city is priced ex-showroom between Rs 11.49 lakh to Rs 16.03 lakh.

The city hybrid's engine has undergone a significant change. An entirely new engine will now drive it. The engine is a 1.5-litre petrol unit with 96.6 horsepower of power and uses the "Atkinson cycle," which uses less gasoline. Additionally, a 253 Nm electric motor with 107.5 horsepower supports it. The engine produces 127 Nm of torque and the electric motor 253 Nm, giving the engine and electric motor a combined output of 124.2 horsepower and a maximum combined torque of 253 Nm. Honda Sensing, a safety suite, and other cutting-edge technology are also featured in the new City e: HEV. Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Auto High-Beam are examples of Honda Sensing trademark features.

Key Specifications

Suspensions, Brakes, Steering, and Types

Capacity

2023 Honda City Petrol AT v/s Skoda Slavia

The recently released 2023 Honda City facelift, which costs between Rs 11.49 lakh and Rs 15.97 lakh (ex-showroom), offers the mass market sector ADAS technology. This increases the new 2023 City's ability to compete against its primary rivals, the VW Virtus Skoda Slavia. Another top-of-the-line midsize sedan in the category is the Skoda Slavia. Now that the new 2023 Honda City will be available, the Skoda Slavia will likely face stiff competition.

Engine and Transmission of Honda City Petrol AT and Skoda Slavia

Dimensions of Weight

If we conclude on the comparison, one of the top alternatives in the midsize car market is the Skoda Slavia. But the category has been disrupted with the introduction of the 2023 Honda City with ADAS. The 2023 Honda City ranges in price from Rs 11.49 lakh to Rs 15.97 lakh (ex-showroom) and is unquestionably a superb and secure family vehicle. The 2023 Honda City, on the other hand, seems like a better bargain, given its price range of Rs 11.29 lakh to Rs 18.39 lakh (ex-showroom), than the Skoda Slavia.

Review

This mid-life upgrade of the Honda City was introduced early for the Japanese automaker to compete with the VW Virtus and Skoda Slavia, introduced after the 2020 City, and the brand-new generation Hyundai Verna. Honda's best-selling model, The Honda City, should continue to sell well-at least among die-hard fans of the brand. But does it have enough to divert attention from its competitors?

Yes, as suggested by the visual updates. Except for those weedy 185/55 R16 Tyres, The City has always been a handsome and proportionate sedan, and the new model maintains this history. The ordinary petrol version now has a boot-lip spoiler, a revised front bumper, and a false diffuser at the back that has a sporty appearance. Honda symbols covered in blue, an e: HEV badge on the trunk, and rear disc brakes are the only features that set the city e: HEV apart from the regular petrol version.

The City's cabin has remained the same as a fair feature improvement, which is okay. A detachable wireless charging pad is located above the front cupholders, in front of the gear shift. When not in use, you may store it in the glove box. Honda has also added the ADAS technology from the hybrid model to the petrol model; both manual and automatic models receive the whole package. New buttons have been added to the steering for the technology, and further displays have been added to the partially digital instrument cluster.

The dashboard of the City e: HEV now has a carbon-fibre-like trim, which contrasts unfavourably with the wood finishes on the petrol model in terms of appearance. Since the hybrid has an electronic parking brake, the wireless charging pad is located where the handbrake is usually on a fuel vehicle. The new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included with both variants is an advance over the prior 7-inch system in every way.

With the new pollution standards taking effect, Honda decided to remove the diesel engine option from the fifth-generation City since upgrading an engine that less than 10% of City purchasers select makes no sense. The improvements made to the 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine to fulfil Real Driving Emissions (RDE) standards and make it work on E20 gasoline have not altered its personality. It is still a very efficient and free-revving unit. The smooth 6-speed manual transmission is preferable for enjoying it, but the CVT automatic is a good compromise too. It makes navigating the City quite simple and doesn't significantly impact fuel economy, although there is a rubber band sensation from the gearbox when you kick on the gas.

The City e: HEV still drives in the same manner; nothing has changed. It still switches smoothly between its three driving modes-electric, hybrid, and engine-and always has a powerful pull. Due to the weight of the hybrid powertrain and battery packs, the combination feels slightly more stable when turning. Both have steering that is sufficiently direct but offers little feel. Only the sharpest ruts penetrate the interior of either vehicle's exceptional ride quality, consistent across the board.