Crossovers have been gaining popularity, but subcompact cars continue to be the top choice among Filipinos. Their pricing, relative size, and familiarity keep these small vehicles close to our hearts.
Among the subcompacts available locally, the Honda City, in both sedan and hatchback forms, stands out as the best in its class. While they may not be the most affordable options, they undoubtedly offer the most value in all aspects.
Design is subjective, but for me, the Honda City duo is a visual delight. The City Sedan strikes a perfect balance between elegance and sportiness, especially in its RS trim. On the other hand, the City Hatchback, available exclusively in the RS trim, exudes a sportier vibe, particularly in its facelifted form, which features side skirts and restyled front and rear. The proportions are on-point, with no sense of awkwardness.
I’ve also grown to appreciate the City Hatchback’s dark wheels, which, despite making the rims look smaller, complement the new Sonic Grey Pearl paint option borrowed from the Honda Civic Type R FK8.
The appeal of the Honda City extends beyond its exterior styling. The interior is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to feel at home. Controls are conveniently placed, and there are plenty of storage spaces and cubbyholes. Although there are still hard plastics, the amount of leather used, especially in the higher trims, provides a premium feel. Both models offer roomy interiors considering their sizes, but the City Hatchback has an edge with its ULTR seats that allow multiple configurations to maximize cargo space. Every part of the cabin is thoughtfully designed, ensuring that everything just makes sense.
The technology and safety features in the Honda City are impressive. The wireless Apple CarPlay works flawlessly, with crisp displays that don’t look like cheap knock-offs. Beyond a comprehensive set of basic safety features, the Honda City Sedan and Hatchback come equipped with Honda Sensing, arguably the best feature of this duo.
Honda Sensing includes Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), and Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW). These systems function seamlessly, providing intuitive assistance with minimal driver intrusion and annoyance.
Honda, being one of the pioneers in developing advanced driver-assist systems, has a significant advantage in this regard. Additionally, the City features Auto High Beam (AHB), though we didn’t get a chance to test it as we only drove during the daytime. All controls respond quickly without any lag or delay.
Apart from the stellar Honda Sensing, the Honda City excels in driving and handling, regardless of the variant. Whether navigating city streets, open roads, or challenging provincial thoroughfares, the City performs admirably.
Powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine, it delivers a spirited 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a CVT, but since Honda has mastered this type of transmission, it is one of the most predictable and user-friendly CVTs on the market.
With proper CVT management, you’ll never feel underpowered while driving the City. Additionally, the City is agile and easy to maneuver, one of the best traits of this class.
The Honda City range starts at P973,000 for the Sedan E and tops at P1,189,000 for the Hatchback RS. While they may be on the pricier side, the value they offer justifies the cost. In terms of design, interior, technology, safety, and driving dynamics, the Honda City Sedan and Hatchback are unparalleled in the subcompact class.
Both models were already top contenders in their pre-facelift versions, but the renewed styling and the addition of Honda Sensing have solidified their position as the best in this class. We’re confident that the City duo will be tough to beat despite new contenders on the horizon.
