Honda City: The plains of autodom are filled with cars that merely do their job, and some that rise above the ranks to become one of those era-defining cars.
The Honda City firmly falls into the latter category, as one of those products that redefined the Indian notion of what a mid-sized sedan could bring to the party in terms of refinement, performance, and, yes, even a bit of aspirational value, ever since it was first brought to India in the late 1990s.
Table of Contents
Honda City: A Journey Through Generations
The City’s progression over various generations often serves as an intriguing case study in how a nameplate can evolve to meet market demands, even as it clings to its essence.
From the radical first-gen “tall boy” design to the edgy, modern lines of the current version, each generation seems to have mirrored both Honda’s thinking process and the sensibilities of the Indian consumers.
The 1998 first-gen City arrived with a completely unique look that stood out with its upright stance and space-efficient packaging.
The design of the second-generation (2003) took on the traditional three-box shape and launched the famous i-VTEC engines which would go on to be synonymous with the badge.
The third generation “Dolphin” City (2008) was more modern and the fourth (2014) of larger size and new content. This latest fifth-gen model, launched in 2020, is truly the most extensive reinvent of the package yet, with extra attention given to rear-seat comfort and tech integration.
Engineering Excellence
With each incarnation, The City has always been home to Honda’s engineering capabilities especially in the powertrain department.
The decision to bring VTEC and later i-VTEC technology to the Indian market, Skoda educated the market about VVT and drive by wire system thus have set the liking for all the masses.
What you’ll find there, under the hood, is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 121 horsepower and smoothly and energetically, as is Honda’s way.
Pussyfoot out of them and indeed, with the manual transmission’s crisp, clear shift gates and the progressive bite of the clutch, it feels even more vibrant and sensitive to your right foot than ever.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) does a good job maintaining efficiency while adding a level of launch (well short of lift-off, mind you, and still about a 9-second run to 60). This unique blend of power and economy has been a City tradition since the beginning.
Interior Evolution
Honda City- Possibly the most dramatic incarnations of the City are in the way it’s handled inside. Design and comfort Early models had neat and pretty plain (function over style) interior, today’s versions have very nice design, materials and media-tech far above its segment.
The new model features a well-designed dash layout that optimizes ergonomics while also maximizing visual appeal by using a layered approach that mixes soft-touch materials with carefully fitted pieces.
The 8inch touchscreen infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the digital-analogue hybrid cluster gives enough info without being too bothersome to the driver.
There’s a real focus on rear seat occupants (a trend, talked about every time we drive a car aimed at India, so not something specific for the Celerio but rather a developing market trend) with the Celerio.
Enhancing rear legroom is complemented by a range of amenities such as rear air conditioning vents, many charging facilities and carefully shaped seat cushions that provide long distance comfort.
Market Significance
The City’s impact is more than just the size of its sales numbers, huge as they are. It set an entirely new standard of sophistication for that segment of the market, to which competitors were subsequently compelled to respond with similar levels of quality and, in turn, to raise the bar for all of us at the consumer interface, when we come to expect so much more quality in our mid-sized vehicles.
This influence is evident in the way that the City reshaped the competitive environment. It was considerably more expensive than cars when it was introduced, but it attracted buyers via engineering, quality, and driving, rather than through breaking the price barrier in that car class.
This was a success as it proved Indian consumers were willing to pay a premium if they could see benefits – that might convince other manufacturers to work on product rather than just on price.
Ownership Experience
But the City’s continued success cannot be attributed to the product alone; Honda’s customer experience ethos has helped maintain the legacy of the City.
Though the company’s dealer network was not as large as some other mass-market competitors, it did set new benchmarks in sales and service relationships.
Offered a proposition that did not stop at the point of sale but included the relationship through the lifecycle of the vehicle, with visible service costs, parts readily available and excellent RV creating a great “total cost” proposition even if acquisition cost is higher.
Challenges and Adaptation
The City currently functions in a market much different from the one it entered. Compact SUV proliferation is putting pressure on traditional sedan segments, while a drive for greater electrification and connectivity is inflating development costs and complexity.
Honda has reacted by turning the City into a technological showcase that includes features like advanced driver assistance systems, extensive connectivity options and hybrid powertrain options (albeit for certain global markets).
Honda City:
The Honda City is successful today not because it has class leading features, or revolutionises the segment, but because it consistently offers a well-rounded package that over delivers in several areas.
It embodies the belief that real engineering excellence, attention to detail, and regard for the ownership experience will come forward to create tangible value that transcends feature comparison or price positioning.
With the automotive climate trending increasingly toward electrification and new mobility paradigms, the City’s heritage provides a lesson in how disciplined execution against strong brand intent can create market spaces that succeed product cycles.
The nameplate’s longevity through so many generation turns is proof that whilst fads come and go, getting the basics right is a sure way to proper.
