2023 Honda City (facelift) v/s 2022 fifth-generation model: What's different
What's the story
Japanese marque Honda has taken the wraps off the 2023 iteration of the City in India with a starting price tag of Rs. 11.49 lakh (ex-showroom). With a difference of Rs. 37,000, the updated model brings in a few subtle yet important changes at a lower price point. But does the 2023 model make more sense than the pre-facelift version? Let's find out.
Context
Why does this story matter?
With the City moniker celebrating its 25th anniversary in India, Honda decided to upgrade the fifth-generation version with a subtle mid-cycle facelift to enhance its appeal with young buyers. The updated sedan features redesigned bumpers and a revised grill design, along with the "Honda Sensing" safety suite. However, unlike the previous expectations, the new model starts at a lower price point.
Exteriors
2023 Honda City looks more appealing with a refreshed design
The 2023 Honda City retains the overall design of the pre-facelift model. The fifth-generation sedan now flaunts a redesigned honeycomb-mesh grille, a revised chrome applique, an aggressive front air splitter, sweptback LED headlights with eyebrow-like DRLs, auto-folding ORVMs, larger 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and Z-shaped 3D wrap-around LED taillights. The rear end of the sedan now features a sporty carbon fiber-like diffuser.
Information
The powertrain options remain identical on the new model
The 2023 Honda City carries forward the same 1.5-liter, naturally aspirated, inline-four petrol engine (119.35hp/145Nm) and the 1.5-liter, self-charging, petrol-hybrid setup (125hp/253Nm) from the pre-facelift model. The transmission duties are taken care of by a 5-speed manual, a CVT, and an e-CVT gearbox.
Interiors
The sedan gets subtle and incremental changes
On the inside, the 2023 Honda City gets incremental changes over the outgoing model. The updated sedan now features a dual-tone dashboard, premium leather upholstery, a semi-digital instrument cluster, and an 8.0-inch infotainment panel with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. For passengers' safety, it gets a "Honda Sensing" ADAS suite with functions such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Our verdict
Should you buy the new model?
While the pre-facelift Honda City carried a starting price tag of Rs. 11.87 lakh, the 2023 model begins at 11.49 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom) in India. In our opinion, the 2023 City now makes more sense with its refreshed design and a safety net of ADAS functions at a relatively lower starting price. The updated sedan is a value-for-money offering in our view.