5 Things You Can Expect From Facelifted Honda City Based On Leaked Images

• 2023 Honda City will get subtle styling touch-ups.

• Cabin layout retained from outgoing model.

• Could get more features like wireless phone charger and ventilated seats.

• ADAS could be brought from hybrid to standard petrol model as well. 

• 1.5-litre petrol and hybrid powertrains to continue, will be updated to BS VI Phase 2 norms.

• Launch on March 2, could command a premium over current prices.

Honda has been prepping a facelift for the fifth-generation City and thanks to the facelift’s images surfacing online, we now know what to expect from the facelifted compact sedan. So, here are five things you need to know about the facelift ahead of its launch on March 2:

Updated styling

You’ll really have to dig out a magnifying glass to spot the changes on the facelifted Honda City. It retains the same shape with very familiar front, side and rear profiles. But that magnifying glass will help you spot a revised grille with a sleeker chrome bar and the lower front bumper which now gets a contrasting lip that extends from the fog lamp housing. 

The profile of the car has been kept completely the same as the outgoing model and the feeling of similarity continues at the rear with a similar taillight design, although the bumper has been mildly revised.

Cabin

Honda hasn’t touched the dashboard layout of the City whatsoever and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The three-tone dashboard with the ‘wood’ trim has been retained and even the design for the steering wheel and the huge air vents are carried over. That said, you can still expect a minor change to the upholstery when it breaks cover. 

New features

The current Honda City isn’t frugal in any sense when it comes to creature comforts. But the facelift is likely to bring a few additional niceties to the table, which include features such as ventilated seats, wireless phone charging and more. These will likely be added to the existing list which comprises an eight-inch touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, cruise control, a sunroof, keyless entry with push button start and auto headlamps.

On the safety front, the compact sedan already packs six airbags, ABS with EBD, parking sensors with a rear-view camera and electronic stability control. In addition, the petrol model could get ADAS from the City Hybrid.

Powertrain

The 121PS/145Nm, 1.5-litre petrol will soldier on in the facelifted City, but the powertrain will be updated according to the upcoming RDE norms. A six-speed manual should be offered as standard, while the CVT transmission is likely to be on offer as well. 

The hybrid powertrain, which is currently limited to the top variants, could make its way to lower variants. The hybrid powertrain has a combined output 126PS/253Nm which is delivered to the wheels using an e-CVT automatic. The 1.5-litre diesel won’t make the cut.

Price and rivals

Even though the changes that the facelift will sport won’t be very prominent, they’ll more likely than not bump up the prices of the City, which is currently priced from Rs 11.87 lakh to 15.62 lakh (ex-showroom). Also, all of these revisions will be incorporated equally on the City Hybrid as well.

Also Read: Here’s Your First Look At Honda’s Hyundai Creta Rival On Our Roads

The facelifted Honda City will make a stronger case for itself against the likes of the Maruti Ciaz, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus and the upcoming 2023 Hyundai Verna.