Honda launched the updated City in 2023, giving one of India’s most popular sedans a sharper and more modern look while keeping its core strengths intact. It continues to stand out in its segment with an excellent blend of spacious interiors, proven reliability, smooth driving experience, and a generous list of features that appeal to both families and daily commuters. We had the chance to spend quality time driving the latest Honda City, and in this review, we’re going to help you understand whether this dependable, feature-loaded sedan still deserves a place on your shortlist. Let’s begin with this drive review!

Exterior

The City looks sharper and more modern than it’s pre-facelift version. It gets a diamond chequered front grille and a sporty front bumper with carbon-wrapped lower parts. The rear also has a carbon-wrapped diffuser and stylish Z-shaped LED tail lamps. Higher variants come with dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels that add to the premium feel. Overall, the design is elegant yet sporty, making it stand out without being too loud.

Dimensions

Dimensions	Honda City	Hyundai Verna	Skoda Slavia	Volkswagen Virtus	Maruti Ciaz
Length	4574 -4583 MM	4535 MM	4541 MM	4561 MM	4490 MM
Width	1748 MM	1765 MM	1752 MM	1752 MM	1730 MM
Height	1489 MM	1475 MM	1507 MM	1507 MM	1485 MM
Wheelbase	2600 MM	2670 MM	2651 MM	2651 MM	2650 MM
Ground Clearance	165 MM	170 MM	179 MM	179 MM	170 MM
Turning Radius	5.3 M	5.2 M	5.1 M	5.05 M	5.4 M
Boot Space	506 L	528 L	521 L	521 L	510 L
Fuel Tank Capacity	40 L	45 L	45 L	45 L	43 L
Kerb Weight	1,110 – 1,280 KG	1275 KG	1,170 – 1,277 KG	1,173 – 1,269 KG	1035 – 1065 KG

Colour Options

• Lunar Silver Metalic
• Obsidian Blue Pearl
• Radiant Red Metallic
• Platinum White Pearl
• Golden Brown Metallic
• Meteoroid Grey Metallic

Interior

Inside, the cabin feels premium with a dual-tone theme (beige and black in petrol models). It offers good build quality and a clean layout. Comes with an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting in door handles and pockets, and a wireless charger in higher variants. The seats are comfortable, and the dashboard design remains practical and user-friendly.

Space and comfort

The City shines in space and comfort. Rear seats offer excellent legroom and headroom, making it great for family trips. The cabin is quiet, and the ride absorbs bumps well for a smooth experience even on rough roads. Boot space is large at around 506 litres, perfect for luggage.

Top Features

• 8-inch Infotainment System
• Wireless Charger
• Semi-Digital Cluster
• Single-Pane Electric Sunroof
• 8 Speakers Sound System
• Fully Automatic Climate Control
• Rear Window Sunshade
• Rear AC Vents

Top Safety Features

• Level 2 ADAS
• Rain-Sensing Wipers
• Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Automatic Headlamps
• Lane Watch Camera
• 6 Airbags
• Hill Start Assist
• Auto-Dimming IRVM

Engine Specifications

Petrol	Honda City	Hyundai Verna	Maruti Ciaz	Volkswagen Virtus	Skoda Slavia
Engine	1.5 L 4 Cylinder i-VTEC	1.5 L 4 Cylinder	1.5 L 4 Cylinder	–	–
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	–	–
Power	119 BHP	113 BHP	103 BHP	–	–
Torque	145 NM	144 NM	138 NM	–	–
Transmission	6 Speed MT, 7 Speed CVT	6 Speed MT, 7 Speed IVT	5 Speed MT, 4 Speed AT	–	–
Fuel Efficiency	17.8 – 18.4 KMPL	18.6 – 19.6 KMPL	20.04 – 20.65 KMPL	–	–

Turbo Petrol	Honda City	Hyundai Verna	Volkswagen Virtus		Skoda Slavia
Engine	–	1.5 L 4 Cylinder	1.5 L 4 Cylinder TSI	1.0 L 3 Cylinder TSI	1.5 L 4 Cylinder TSI	1.0 L 3 Cylinder TSI
Drivetrain	–	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Power	–	158 BHP	148 BHP	114 BHP	148 BHP	114 BHP
Torque	–	253 NM	250 NM	178 NM	250 NM	178 NM
Transmission	–	6 Speed MT, 7 Speed DCT	6 Speed MT, 7 Speed DSG	6 Speed MT / AT	6 Speed MT, 7 Speed DSG	6 Speed MT / AT
Fuel Efficiency	–	20 – 20.6 KMPL	18.67 KMPL	18.12 – 20.8 KMPL	18.41 KMPL	18.07 – 19.47 KMPL

Drive Review

We had the opportunity to take the 2025 Honda City for an extensive drive and here’s what we found. The familiar 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine continues to deliver 119 bhp of power and 145 Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed CVT. In the CVT version, acceleration feels linear and effortless, with seamless shifts that make city driving relaxed and highway cruising comfortable.

The engine remains responsive enough for daily needs, building power willingly as revs climb, though it truly comes alive closer to the higher end of the rev range. Braking is confident and progressive, with good pedal feel and strong stopping power even under repeated hard use. The driving experience of the 2025 City focuses on comfort and ease rather than outright excitement.

The suspension setup is tuned soft and absorbent, allowing the car to glide over potholes, broken roads, and urban imperfections with impressive composure, keeping occupants comfortable on long journeys. Ride quality remains one of its strongest points, soaking up bumps effectively while maintaining decent body control at speed. Steering is light and precise, making low-speed manoeuvres simple and offering reassuring feedback on highways.

The car feels planted and stable, though it leans more toward relaxed cruising than sharp cornering. Overall refinement is excellent, with low cabin noise levels and a calm, composed nature that suits family use perfectly.

Ride and Handling

Ride quality is a highlight – soft suspension handles potholes and bad roads very well, keeping everyone comfortable. Handling is safe and easy, with light steering that suits daily use. It is not the sportiest in corners but stays composed and confident at speed.

Our Verdict

The 2025 Honda City is a smart and well-rounded sedan. With sharper looks, convenience features, strong safety including ADAS, and the same comfortable drive experience, it remains a top choice in its class. It offers great value, reliability, and family-friendly space, making it an easy recommendation for people who are looking for efficiency along with convenience.

On-Road Price of All Variants

SV

1.5 L Petrol MT – Rs. 13.95 Lakhs

V

1.5 L Petrol MT – Rs. 14.79 Lakhs
1.5 L Petrol CVT – Rs. 16.15 Lakhs

VX

1.5 L Petrol MT – Rs.15.96 Lakhs
1.5 L Petrol CVT – Rs. 17.32 Lakhs

Sports

1.5 L Petrol MT – Rs. 16.69 Lakhs

ZX

1.5 L Petrol MT – Rs. 17.25 Lakhs
1.5 L Petrol CVT – Rs. 18.60 Lakhs

Price Comparison with Rivals

Models	On-Road Price
Honda City	Rs. 13.95 – 18.60 L
Skoda Slavia	Rs. 11.67 – 20.76 L
Volkswagen Virtus	Rs. 12.38 – 22.25 L
Hyundai Verna	Rs. 12.51 – 19.82 L
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz	Rs. 10.57 – 14.20 L