Honda City has been a car of choice for many consumers looking for something economical for daily use. We got our hands on the new 2014 - 2015 Honda City. This car is to Honda what the Yaris is to Toyota – an entry-level vehicle for the mass market. Customers demand only the best, and we decided to see whether the Honda City meets the expectations of its buyers.

Style

2014-2015 Honda City Side View

The first thing we noticed about the new City is its tall stance. Such ground clearance makes navigating through construction yards and empty grounds a breeze. In terms of styling, the City and Civic now resemble siblings, heavily inspired by each other – with Civic being the elder sibling and having a more refined overall design. However, we appreciate the City’s style which covers all essential aspects. Nonetheless, we felt the alloy designs could be improved, as they currently resemble something from local shops in Sharjah, UAE. Overall, the Honda City looks better than the Nissan Sunny but does not surpass the Toyota Yaris.

Interior Materials and Finishing

2014-2015 Honda City Interior Seating

The materials and finishing in the entry-level segment vehicle are, as expected, plain and plastic. There are no complaints here; you will be sitting in a cabin made of hard plastic that makes clunky sounds, but that’s what you get for the price. Honda has done a commendable job reducing road and wind noise, resulting in a relatively quiet cabin as long as you’re not exceeding 100 km/h. The fabric seats are soft and comfortable, especially in the summer heat.

Interior Space and Visibility

2014-2015 Honda City Interior Space

The first thing you will notice when you sit at the back is the ample space. You can comfortably accommodate five adults without any issues. Honda, we appreciate this! This rear legroom is achieved without sacrificing front-row space. Even with the front seats fully pulled back, our knees did not touch the back of the front seats – an impressive feat. This car offers more space than many mid-size sedans, so consider this before opting for a mid-size sedan for space. Moreover, the boot space is also generous, ensuring buyers will not be disappointed.

Interior Features and Technology

2014-2015 Honda City Interior Features

Another area where the Honda City excels is technology. Why should upper-segment cars have all the gadgets? Honda has listened to consumer demands and fitted a first-in-class 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that displays vehicle info and audio/phone options. The on-screen buttons are large enough for easy access, though the system may lag occasionally. Additionally, touch-sensitive buttons below the screen control the auto A/C. While this touch functionality is a nice change in the sub-compact segment, it can distract you while driving as you need to look precisely where you’re pressing. The glossy plastic also tends to attract fingerprints. Other features include Bluetooth, CD/MP3, AUX, USB, plenty of power sockets, cup holders (front and rear), cruise control, audio controls on the steering wheel, smart entry, and surprisingly, an HDMI port.

Power and Transmission

2014-2015 Honda City Gear Shift

The Honda City retains its 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 118 BHP and 146 Nm of torque. The notable change in this generation is its pairing with a CVT automatic transmission – a positive addition. The car feels smooth and accelerates without struggle to reach 100 km/h, which is the ideal benchmark for such vehicles. In our test run, the City accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Given the UAE summer conditions, these results are quite decent. We drove the car in ‘sports’ mode, often flooring it, achieving a mileage of 8.5 L/100 km, which is impressive. However, the inclusion of paddle shifters seems unnecessary in this model.

Handling, Brakes, and Suspension

2014-2015 Honda City Wheel

The Honda City handles as expected – it’s good for city driving. However, don’t expect to take corners in this vehicle without experiencing significant understeer. The brakes are decent, with a 100-0 km/h stop achieved in 3.7 seconds, aided by ABS. Overall, the ride quality is softer than anticipated, as traversing potholes and speed bumps did not jar our spines, and long drives from Dubai to RAK were comfortable. Well done, Honda!

Verdict

The new Honda City offers improved aesthetics, driving experience, and ride comfort compared to the previous generation. But is it worth the price? Let’s break it down. The Honda City starts at 57,000 AED and goes up to 63,000 AED for the fully loaded model. Comparatively, the top-spec Toyota Yaris is priced around 58,000 AED, while the Corolla starts at 59,000 AED. In this price range, the competition is stiff, and effective marketing from Honda will be crucial to attract buyers.