India's Best Premium Compact Sedan

The undisputed leader in its over competitive segment, the Honda City's sales figures here in India have done all its talking. Here is what we think makes it King.

Honda City

The Honda City carried on Honda SIEL's tradition of replacing its hugely successful models with even better ones, as seen earlier with the Accord and the CR-V. This one however, was a very different move. While its predecessor worked fantastically as a city runabout, the new City chose to retain and enhance all its likeable qualities, while completely wiping its shortcomings clean.

Replacing the wedgy outgoing City with the third all-new platform to bear the same name in India was a car that was properly stunning at the time of its launch, and still is. With an overall design that makes it more akin to the Civic, the current version sets the ball rolling for a rather futuristic and sporty design theme. On the inside, it one of the most spacious cars in its segment with plush, stylish and pleasing interiors that we have so come to associate with Honda.

The engine itself is extremely refined as has been the case with Citys from previous generations as well. If economy is a strong point for the Honda City, there has certainly been a compromise with the performance. Ride quality is good and the car handles most of the broken tarmac extremely well. Body roll is minimal owing to the low stance and at high speeds, the car feels stable and planted thanks to its longer wheelbase and revised architecture.

The City came in at a point when cars from trusted manufacturers like the SX4 had begun to slowly steal the C-segment spotlight. From there, it has gone on to become the best selling car in its class, beating its existing competition and also holding off sexy, modern rivals like the Fiat Linea and the VW Vento. Clearly, when it comes to an urban sedan, this is the City we want to be in!

Quick Facts:

Engine: 1,497cc, inline four

Power: 118PS@ 6,600rpm

Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm

Transmission: 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic w/paddle shift

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 2550mm

LxWxH: 4420 x 1695 x 1480mm

Weight: 1,155kg

Performance

0-100 km/h: 14.48 sec

Top speed: 180.43 km/h

Fuel efficiency (overall): 10.40 kmpl

Variants:

1.5 E (No CD player): ` 8.3 lakh

1.5 S (No alloy wheels): ` 8.77 lakh

1.5 V: ` 9.24 lakh

1.5 V AT (Automatic): ` 9.96 lakh

Cheers:

1. Revvy and gutsy 1.5-litre iVTEC engine is a delight to drive, be it response,

refinement or fuel efficiency.

2. One of the best designed cars around, outside and inside.

Sneers:

1. Rear bench comfort has been sacrificed to a small extent for a sporty drive.

2. Pricing remains on the higher side when compared to the competition.

Honourable Mentions:

Volkswagen Vento

The Polo based made-for-India sedan from Volkswagen is an elegant and competent product. With both petrol and diesel engine options available from the time it has gone on sale, the Vento definitely holds the edge in that department. Driveability is an issue though.

Maruti Suzuki SX4

A timely facelift with an engine revision has helped make the SX4 more appealing and has refreshed it in the minds of buyers. While the competition has piled the pressure on the car, its reliability, performance, design and its trusted badge, this one deserves an honourable mention.

Other Rivals

Fiat Linea

The car that marked Fiat’s resurgence in India is still going strong and raking in the sales for its maker. Gorgeous design, fantastic handling manners and a good spread of diesel and petrol engines make it a plush and stylish choice for buyers.

Hyundai Verna

Another model that has seen a recent facelift in the form of the Verna Transform, Hyundai's C-segment sedan has had to face tough competition from its rivals. Hyundai's reputation as just a good small car maker has hindered its sales.