2026 Honda City facelift: Five pros and cons to know before buying

Honda Cars India recently launched the new Honda City facelift sedan in the Indian market. The new City includes cosmetic design changes, updated interiors, additional features and more. In the Indian market, this sedan competes with Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna. Interested customers can book the new City online or by visiting their nearest dealership. Deliveries are expected to begin soon. We recently tested the City facelift. In this article, let’s take a look at five pros and cons that you need to know before buying.Pros looks sharpThe biggest feature of Honda City facelift is its updated styling. While the overall silhouette remains familiar, Honda has introduced subtle but effective design changes that give the sedan a sharper and more premium appearance. The sedan now has eyebrow-style LED DRLs connected by a thin light bar, giving it a wider and more distinctive look. Honda has also introduced a new honeycomb-pattern grille and a redesigned bumper, which contribute to a sporty look. The side profile looks unchanged, including the sloping roofline, door design and ORVMs. However, the updated model features a new alloy wheel design. At the rear, it gets a redesigned tailgate with a lower bumper and also gets a smoke effect for the taillights and vertical reflector units. Color options include Crystal Black Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic. While the overall silhouette remains unchanged, the updates help modernize the city’s appearance and strengthen its street presence without changing its familiar identity.Well equipped entry level versionAnother strong point of the Honda City range is the value offered by the base SV variant, which is priced at Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). Despite being an entry-level trim, it comes equipped with auto LED projector headlamps with LED DRL, LED taillamps, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, push-button start/stop, a multi-angle rear parking camera and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Safety features include six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, tyre-pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, ABS with EBD and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. The generous feature list makes the base City a strong value proposition for buyers who want to avoid upgrading to higher variants.comfortable ride qualityRide quality remains the major strength of the Honda City. The suspension handles potholes, broken roads and expansion joints effectively, helping maintain passenger comfort in various road conditions. At highway speeds, the sedan feels stable and composed, while the suspension setup provides a balance between comfort and body control. As a result, the city is suitable for both daily urban use and long distance travel.Hybrid engine with 27.26 km/l Honda City remains the only mid-size sedan in its segment to offer a strong hybrid powertrain. Its e:HEV system combines a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with two electric motors. The hybrid setup enables the City to run on electric power for extended periods in urban conditions, contributing to a quieter driving experience. Fuel efficiency is another major benefit. Honda claims an ARAI-certified figure of 27.26 kmpl, making the City one of the most fuel-efficient sedans on sale in India. The combination of hybrid technology, low running costs and strong fuel economy gives the City a distinct advantage over conventional petrol-powered rivals.proven honda reliabilityThe biggest reason people continue to buy the Honda City is Honda’s reputation for reliability. The City has built a strong track record over the years, with owners often praising its reliable engines, hassle-free ownership experience and relatively low maintenance costs. Even the hybrid system benefits from Honda’s global experience with electrified powertrains. For buyers planning to keep their car for a long time, the City’s proven reliability remains a major selling point.Shortcoming No turbo petrol engine optionThe Honda City does not offer a turbo-petrol engine, unlike many of its key rivals. Its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor is refined and smooth, but it lacks the strong mid-range performance associated with turbocharged engines. Models like Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia are available with turbo-petrol powertrains that offer quicker acceleration and better overtaking performance. As a result, buyers seeking a more performance-oriented driving experience may find the City’s powertrain options less competitive.The hybrid is limited to the top variant.The Honda City’s hybrid powertrain is limited to the range-topping ZX variant, which is priced at around Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom). This makes e:HEVs significantly more expensive than standard petrol versions and limits access to hybrid technology. Buyers interested in the City’s fuel-efficient hybrid setup have no option but to opt for the lower-priced variant, as the powertrain is not offered anywhere else in the range. Wider availability in multiple trims could have made the hybrid more accessible to a larger segment of buyers.Comfort facilities missing on the rear seatThe Honda City continues to offer a spacious and comfortable back seat, but it lacks some features that could have enhanced passenger comfort. The sedan does not have sunshades on the rear window, which could be useful to reduce heat and glare for the rear passengers, especially in Indian conditions. It also lacks adjustable rear headrests, which are dependent on fixed units. While this may not be a major concern for all buyers, adjustable headrests generally provide better support for passengers of varying heights during long journeys. Given the City’s premium positioning and focus on rear seat comfort, the absence of these features is noticeable and does detract a bit from the overall cabin experience.no powered driver’s seatHonda City does not offer a powered driver seat even in its higher variants. Seat adjustment is manual, which puts it at a disadvantage against some rivals in the segment. Models like the Hyundai Verna offer electrically adjustable driver’s seat, adding an extra layer of convenience for users. While the City’s seats are comfortable and offer adequate adjustment, the absence of a powered function is a notable omission given the car’s premium status and feature set.narrow 185-section tire The Honda City is equipped with 185-section tyres, while key competitors like the Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia come with 205-section tyres. Although the City’s tire setup is adequate for regular driving and can aid fuel efficiency, wider tires generally provide better grip and stability, especially during high-speed maneuvers. Compared to its rivals, the narrow tires are a noticeable drawback and contribute little to enhancing the sedan’s road presence.