2020 Honda City: Which variant to buy?

Honda has launched an all-new, fifth generation of the extremely popular sedan, the City, which is now available at dealerships across the country, and also online via Honda’s digital booking platform, Honda from Home. If you’ve read our review of the 2020 City, you’d know that Honda has taken the winning formula of the fourth-generation version, and made it even better - this new car packs in space and comfort, features and an enjoyable driving experience, making this all-new City a formidable contender in its segment. And if you have your eyes on this midsize sedan, we simplify the range and guide you to the variant that matches your needs.

• Available across nine variants – three petrol-manuals, three petrol-automatics and three diesel-manuals
• We recommend the petrol-manual configuration for an effortless drive
• VX variant spells the most value for money

Which engine-transmission combination of the new Honda City to pick?

Honda offers a choice of a 121hp 1.5-litre petrol and a 100hp 1.5-litre diesel engine with the new fifth-generation City. Both these engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, and the petrol also gets the option of an automatic, continuously variable transmission (CVT). The price difference between the petrol-manual and a diesel-manual is Rs 1.50 lakh, so those with annual usage in excess of 20,000km are likely to see value in opting for the much more fuel-efficient diesel version.

What’s interesting is that the petrol-automatic commands a price premium of Rs 1.30 lakh over a comparable petrol-manual variant, and it’s claimed to be more fuel-efficient than the manual too. For an effortless drive, it is worth opting for the CVT.

Is the base V variant of the fifth-generation Honda City poorly equipped?

Not, really. Honda has stuffed the V variant with several features, so it doesn’t feel like an ‘entry-level’ variant. It gets 15-inch alloys, projector headlights with LED daytime running lamps, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Honda connect telematics, Alexa remote capability, steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, engine start/stop button, powered side mirrors, climate control, rear AC vents, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, driver’s seat height adjustment, cruise control, and front and rear armrest, among other features.

What’s more is that this gets safety kit like four airbags, ABS, brake assist with EBD, ESP, traction control, hill-start assist, rear-view camera, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Is the mid VX variant of the fifth-generation Honda City worth considering?

Yes, the price premium of Rs 1.36 lakh over the V variant gets you additional features like curtain airbags, sunroof, 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, eight speakers (four additional tweeters over V variant), leather-wrapped gear lever and steering, a 7.0-inch part-digital instrument cluster featuring a digital tachometer, G-meter, rear parking proximity display, and more.

Is it worth stretching for the top ZX variant of the fifth-generation Honda City?

The ZX variant costs Rs 89,000 more than the VX, and for the money you get kit like a lane-watch camera, auto LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, gloss wood garnishing on the dashboard, leatherette upholstery, remote power window and sunroof operation, automatic folding mirrors (a welcome function), rear sunshade, front footwell ambient lights, and all-four one-touch power windows, being the notable ones.

Which fifth-generation Honda City variant is the pick of the range?

The VX variant is well-loaded and offers almost everything that buyers in the segment are looking for, hence it is the pick of the range. And for a truly effortless experience, go for the CVT automatic, which is smooth and comes with the much needed dose of convenience, especially if your regular commute includes driving through stop-and-go traffic conditions.

Also see:

2020 Honda City video review

2020 Honda City image gallery

2020 Honda City vs rivals: specification comparison