In this article I am going to share all my thoughts about my All New Honda City which I bought by April 2009. Before this I drove a Honda City GXi and you can say that I am a die hard Honda City fan. There is something special about the Honda City in terms of price and the features it offers. I believe that with this car you reach a saturation point in terms of comfort travel experience. I have test driven Mercedes C-Class and a lot of other cars. In my experience, as you move from the smallest/cheapest car, say Maruti 800 to higher versions, you will note a significant improvement in comfort and driving experience as you spend more and more. But when you spend nearly 10.5 Lakhs for a Honda City Auto Trans. version, you reach a saturation point in comfort.
When you go for higher end cars, the marginal utility with every additional lakh spent reduces exponentially. Say for example you can get a Honda Civic AT for 15 Lakhs. For additional 4.5 lakhs, the level of benefits that you get is very less (if you keep social status thing aside). For 4.5 Lakhs, you could buy almost a decent small car. I may be a little biased towards my Honda City because I love it so much, but this is just my opinion. I am no where near to an auto expert and you should not consider this as professional advice. Disclaimer given upfront.
First, I was planning to buy a Civic. Auto transmission was very important for me because I am a lazy person who does not want to keep changing the gears. But Civic came to 15 Lakhs when you choose AT. I also had a love for VW Jetta Comfortline which costed around 18 Lakhs. I was confused whether to spend an extra 3 and go for VW or settle with the Civic. This internal debate was going on inside my mind for several months and I was postponing my purchase. One day I realized that I cannot keep driving my old Honda City GXi manual transmission anymore and I felt a need to buy a new car immediately.
At that time the New Honda City was launched just 1-2 months back and I decided to take a test drive. I had a preconceived notion that the New Honda City will not be much different from the old one in terms of comfort or performance and I also had an opinion that Honda has just changed the looks to bring some buzz and boost the sales. But when I had the test ride, my notions blasted away. The first thing that I noticed was that the seating position has been improved significantly and my thighs rested comfortably, which did not in my old Honda City. I am 5 ft 11 inches now. The second thing I noticed was that the suspension has been improved. It felt as if I was gliding on the highway and I was feeling like I was driving a German SUV! (Well, thats a bit of overstatement!). Since the price was significantly lower than Civic and Jetta, and also cars were depreciating assets… I decided to invest in Honda City AT.
The Automatic Transmission system comes with Paddle shift and is “intelligent”. For example when you are driving the car in the Drive mode at 5th gear in a highway and if you suddenly want to overtake a truck, in manual transmission vehicles we change gear from 5th to 4th and then accelerate. Here in AT you just need to press the accelerator a little more in a quick manner and the car will know that you are in need of sudden acceleration and automatically change the gear to 4th and after you overtake it will change to 5th again. I am not sure whether its the same in other AT cars, but this I find very fascinating.
I am not satisfied with the interiors much, but for the price this is what you will get. I am planning to install leather seats soon and perhaps then the interiors will look a bit better. I am more inclined towards exterior style and performance of the car. I have put a lot of accessories in my car. Since I downgraded my buying decision from the Civic, I was ready to spend some extra bucks to make my car look unique. Here’s the list of upgrades/accessories I have made.
- Front Grille – 16k
- Door Sash Molding – 16k
- Rear Spoiler – 15k
- Side Protector – 4k
- Parking Sensor – 4k
- Sport Pedals – 1.5k
- Original Honda Alloy Wheels – 57k!
- Pillow x 2 – Rs.650
- Seat Belt Pad – Rs.500 Approx.
- Trunk Garnish – 4k
- Chrome Finish for Silencer – 2k (I guess)
Now my car looks very very unique. The front grille changes the look of the car so much that sometimes people wonder whether it is a Honda City. The changes I have made allows me to express my individuality and I think these exorbitantly costly addons are an investment to my personal brand image. Well, this is so irrational… I know.
I am getting a mileage of 13kmpl on the highways and 11kmpl in city. I am satisfied with these numbers. If you go for a manual transmission version, the numbers will be a little high… I guess 14/16. You can only put high octane speed/power petrol. Occasionally you can put normal petrol in case of emergency as I once did but there is a sticker on the fuel tank lid which say Only Speed or Power Petrol.
After the new Honda City was launched, another version of the same car was launched in another 2-3 months. This new version has beige interiors, chrome handle bars and 5 spoke alloy wheels. I did not like that alloy wheel very much. My 14 spoke alloys look much better. (Of course it costs like hell, it has to!).
My old Honda City does not care whether I wear the seat belt or not. But this new kid does not allow me to drive the car without the seat belts. Just like the Civic, there is a buzzer which will keep annoying you if you don’t wear the seat belt. Other safety features include dual SRS Airbags and ABS which are not available in my old Honda City. I believe that ABS is worth every penny. Once in highways during night time there was a check point in the middle of the road and there were no reflectors in it… I saw it too late… at that time I had to turn the car and apply the brakes at the same time. I did and I did not lose control of the car. I have not tested the SRS airbags yet, but will let you know once I do so, he he
Now tell me honestly what else do you need from a car? It goes smooth, it looks good, has the latest safety features and changes gears automatically and last but not the least, it comes from Japan, the land of Samurais. If you are spending for a car which is costlier than this, then you are just spending for the status and brand image and a very little extra performance and safety. I would rather invest in real estate or any other similar appreciating asset than spend more on a car.
Wish you all the best for your future car purchases. Thank you for reading my article, leave some questions in the comments and I will answer them!
Regards,
Dilip Kumar
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February 27, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Hey! Excellent review. :)
February 28, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I read your review and it was very helpful. I am planning to buy SX4 Zxi but I still feel I can stretch my budget for City S MT model. I am buying my first car and right now I am bit confused. Can you suggest what is the better option to choose between Sx4 and City.
February 28, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Diwakar, I think Honda City is a better option if you can shell out the extra dough for it. The car is reliable and quality is top notch.
June 27, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Diwakar, I have been using the SX4 for the last two years. let me tell you it does not compare with the city in any manner. Do not even consider the SX4! I have just sold the SX4 for a pittance and have bought the new city. I would have bought the city then but then my budget was thin at that point hence the SX4 landed with me.
March 1, 2010 at 2:14 pm
FORD FIESTA is BETTER than SX4 , so chose b/w FIESTA and CITY ….FIESTA 1.6 petrol is toooooo hot to drive ….just give a test drive …i recently xchngd my old BALENO zxi for FIESTA zxi…..
March 1, 2010 at 2:16 pm
hi DILIP yur car looks awesome with that new radiator grill n those xpnsve Alloys….congrats for yur new ride, happy driving…
April 30, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Grt review. Am planning to buy ANHC automatic version. ANy other input from your side. How is the FE in city and on highways
May 11, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Hi Dilip,
I m contemplating between the V MT and V AT. I m sooooo confused! dunno what to do! i had a small test drive and i think i got a 6.7km/ltr average!
Please suggest. Also I like to race my car at times when I m first in line on the signal.. heheh… not much.. but just for the kick. I don’t mind putting k&n, etc.
What is your suggestion?
May 11, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Arindam, get the MT and get the kicks shifting the way you want at the revvs you like.
August 24, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Dilip the front grill looks great. where can i get one of those grill mods here in India. thanks
September 16, 2010 at 12:16 am
Guess what? Today afternoon I have paid the booking amount for a City AT and was looking for reviews to support my decision. I was confused and not quite sure if i was making the right choice but, guess ur article does tells me i was right. Just one query, hows the re-sale of AT like. though i am planning to keep this one for good 5-6 years but, still will be good to know about re-sale.
December 4, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I am planning to buy a City AT version, but am contemplating on 2 issues one – i can shell out installments of 8-9k per month, whether is it sufficient for the price tag or not, and secondly i took a test drive on one of my friends car of the same model, and was probably showing a mileage of 17 on road, i have some doubt on that part.
December 19, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I have had the City VAT for about 3 months now. I am fully enjoying the automatic. It is a blessing in Delhi “stop and go ” traffic. As per the City’s ODO, it is showing me about 11km/l in city traffic and 17km/l on highways. Havent checked it on tank to tank method.
February 23, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Honda City is a low slung car. Even if one goes dead slow, the bumper and the under carriage often get scratched by speed breakers.
Does Honda have any solutions to this problem?
Bush
April 11, 2011 at 11:16 am
Hi
Dilip your review was very nice to read. Eventhough at present I cannot afford a honda city AT i feel its a good investment fot a good car. I think mileage is resanoble. My uncle has a verna manual transmission and he gets only 11kpl so i guess enjoying a automatic would be a good choice.
B.Rgds
Mathew
May 8, 2011 at 9:36 pm
nice review about honda city AT, i had one query, whether MT has more power than AT?, i m six feet tall, so whether leg room is enough or not for tallers like me?
June 24, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Dear Mr.Dileep ,
My dad has purchased Honda city 1.5 Auto 2011 model. I have the following doubts. Please clarify them
1.when can i start using paddle shift?
after 1000km or 5000km?
2.suppose if i am at a traffic signal for more than 1 min idling….do I need to shift from D to N or P or simply be on D by holding the car by pressing the brake.
3.When the car is driven on a slope or steep slope do I need to use paddle shift or simply continue driving in D by accelerating more?
4.How can i shift to paddle shift? while the car is in motion or simply stop the car & change to S and then continue drive again?
June 25, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Indee, You can start using paddles after first service. You can move to park at traffic signals. When on slope you can use either options. You can shift to paddles on the go.
October 31, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Excellent review by Dilip!
I’m planning to buy Honda City. Any idea if there is a new model in the offing in 2012? Does the automatic transmission justify the extra cost spent and less mileage. Is the car life lesser due to AT. Is the AT repairable if it goes bad!
November 1, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Sunil, a new model is expected soon. AT price is justified and does not affect the life of the car. Yes, AT is repairable but doesn’t go bad so frequently.
November 5, 2011 at 10:53 am
Thanks for your response Faisal.
November 6, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Sunil, your most welcome ;-)
November 25, 2011 at 11:07 pm
heyy!! iam also owng a 2009 ivtec city m/t white!! its gr8 tat u’ve portraied this car ina vry nice manner!! on seen this i’ve also planned to spendn money on my city to make it look gud!!!a small correction city m/t is givn a milege of 18-19.5on highways and 15 on city rds!!:)and the new city which’l be dun midst of 2012 will hav a vryy few changes with the grilles and its bumpers!! honda city rockzzzz
December 20, 2011 at 9:59 am
I have heard that around fourth year of its running Honda City (both ZX and IVTEC models) develop some electrical fault in the engine, which means replacing four coils costing around 1 Lac. The symtom is the car gives “jhatkas”. Is this true? I am planning to buy the new version AT. Seeking suggestions!
December 21, 2011 at 2:23 am
Sunil, I don’t think so. Could be a one-off situation.