2020 Honda City introduced in Thailand

The Japanese automaker has globally launched the fifth-gen Honda City in Thailand. After a substantial wait, we get a chance to witness the new 2020 Honda City, which is also an important model for Honda. The B-segment sedan has received significant modifications on the outside as well as inside. A new powertrain option is available too with the same chassis and braking system. 

In terms of dimensions, the new 2020 City measures 4,553 mm x 1,748 mm x 1,467 mm (LxWxH) which makes it 113 mm longer, 53 mm wider and 10 mm shorter than the previous iteration. It sports a wheelbase of 2,589 mm (11 mm shorter than before). 

The exteriors of the sedan are softer and more rounded than the fourth-gen City. At the front, it continues to boast the Honda’s Solid Wing face with a thicker chrome bar connecting the new “jewel eye” headlamps. Additionally, you’d see large inlets at the corners lower down the front apron. Plus, there is a blacked-out intake at the centre of the front profile with a highlighting body-coloured strip. 

The side mirrors get a new position on the doors instead of the A-pillars, for better visibility. The prominent character line on the sides is now positioned above the door handles rather than below them, originating from the top of the headlamps to the rear end. The rear section gets a new pair of wraparound tail lights, boasting U-shaped LEDs similar to the one on the 2019 Honda Insight. The rear bumper gets decorative outlets at the corners. Moreover, the company says that the City has been bestowed with polyurethane spray foam insulation and for better NVH, a thicker under-engine insulation cover.

The changes inside the cabin are significant too. The dash looks inspired by the Jazz. The 2020 City gets vertical-styled air vents, less-cluttered controls and a new infotainment system with touchscreen. The climate control switchgear is taken from the Jazz, features tactile buttons and dials. The steering wheel gets conventional controls rather than the roundels. 

The controls for Eco mode have been positioned on either side of the gear lever, while placements of the gear lever, handbrake and cupholders on the centre console remain unchanged. Additionally, the company says that the front seats have been reworked to provide more space to rear occupants. While the front seat rails are spaced 25 mm further apart, the headrests and the seat backs are 15 mm lower and 60 mm narrower than before respectively.

The major change is that the 2020 City comes with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct-injected turbocharged petrol engine that’s good for 122 PS at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 173 Nm between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm. Additionally, it gets dual VTC (Variable Valve Timing Control) and VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control). The transmission system on offer is a CVT, which is also the only option available as yet. As far as fuel economy is concerned, the company says that the new City will be good for 23.8 kmpl.

On the safety front, the 2020 Honda City gets brake assist, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution and vehicle stability assist as standard. You’d also find six airbags, hill start assist, a rearview camera and ISOFIX child seat anchorage. The car comes with the same chassis and braking system, meaning it features MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the back end and ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear. 

Available in four variants, S, V, SV and RS, based on the variants, the City gets features like projector headlamps, auto climate control, keyless entry/exit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, leather/fabric upholstery, cruise control and 15-inch alloy wheels. Plus, a Honda Connect telematics system. 

The City RS, on the other hand, gets glossy black honeycomb front grille with an RS logo, blacked-out ORVMs and rear spoiler, LED headlamps and fog lamps, new 16-inch alloys and an exclusive Ignite Red exterior paint on the outside. While on the inside, it gets a red-themed instrument cluster and suede leather seats with red stitching. 

2020 Honda City price starts from 579,500 baht (AED 70,470 approx).

Model-wise pricing is mentioned below.

• Honda City S - 579,500 baht (AED 70,470 approx) 
• Honda City V - 609,000 baht (AED 74,057 approx)
• Honda City SV - 665,000 baht (AED 80,867 approx)
• Honda City RS - 739,000 baht (AED 89,866 approx)

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