Honda recently dropped a bombshell of a spec bump for the entire Honda City range. Now all the variants will come with Honda SENSING. So without that main differentiating factor, we wondered, is the RS trim still all that special? In this first impression, we’ll pick apart some of the things that make the RS what it is, and whether or not it’s still got what it takes to hold the top-of-the-line title.
Exterior
This is a Honda City, but in our view, Big H did just enough to the exterior to keep things fresh and new. The subcompact sedan wasn’t in need of a facelift, but this version looks a hint sportier, and a little more dynamic. The skirts, lips, and diffusers push out just a little bit more than the pre-facelift, and it gives the City a more mean and more ready-to-drive type of look, in line with the spirit that the RS brand evokes. Though it’s no Type R, this is definitely the sportiest look that the City RS has ever donned, perhaps in competition with the variants equipped with Modulo kits.
The other stuff that’s changed or stayed the same? Well, the 16-inch wheels are still the same, only with a slightly different tone for the wheels. Still two-tone, but definitely still a match for the sporty design of the RS variant. Though, not everything is all too great. Honda chose to go with faux carbon fiber which might net some mixed reactions from a few people, but it’s rather okay given that Honda wanted to go with a more sporty character altogether.
Overall, there’s nothing too different here. It’s still the same City but with arguably better looks, and with updated RS design trimmings, in a design that is familiar but not too different from the last, and it still evokes a sense of sportiness that other subcompact sedans try to achieve, but don’t quite get like the City.
Interior
Added sportiness is the theme with this update, and there is an extra hit of red on the dashboard that really pops. Honda has done well with the City when it first came out in its fifth generation for the country, so little needed to be edited. There are subtle changes like some red accents getting dialed back, and others getting more pronounced, but it is largely the same throughout the entire dashboard.
Since this is a facelift, most of the interior features remain the same. Though, in the new model, we get a new gauge cluster with a bigger color screen down the middle and a more striking set of gauges down the center. During our short drive and shoot with this car, we didn’t get the chance to play around too much with the instruments in the cluster, but we expect there to be more features in the 2024 year model, and we expect there to be a lot more to see as well.
Honda also made it known that the infotainment cluster got a few updates that you will notice, and a few more that you will if you look hard enough. The screen itself is brighter and clearer, as per Honda, and it was rather noticeable. Following that you will be pleased to find that Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available now in the City. Though Honda didn’t add wireless charging, so right out of the gate there is a bit of a disconnect. However, if you want to fast charge your phone with your own wireless charger, at least that option is open to you.
Other than that, the Honda SENSING suite is here, and that brings a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Lead Car Departure Notification system, Auto High-Beam, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Departure Warning, which is the first time we’re seeing this set of features in the model lineup, and it’s a great thing to see in the City. It’s also worth mentioning that even the base models of the City get Honda SENSING, so it’s really a treat to see the City like this.
Driving
With the platform being the same as before, the drive of the City is as familiar as ever. The steering feel is the same, the engine performance is still the same, and the suspension and chassis are still the same.
With 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque mated to a CVT, the City is still as spritely as ever. Meanwhile, the suspension in our short drive around Honda’s test track is still the same as before, and the general feel of the car is neither over- nor underwhelming. Frankly, the City drove pre-facelift is how this one drives, at least based on our first impressions of the vehicle.
Initial Verdict
We don’t have much to say about the drive, but we have a ton of great remarks about the tech package and the new safety. The City is already a great driving car in its class, and the addition of Honda SENSING made the package so much sweeter. The other tech enhancements are great too, and the RS package makes everything look really good.
Safety systems are expensive, but the Honda SENSING suite didn’t make the price shoot up by a lot. The Honda City in its RS Honda SENSING trim is priced at P1,148,000, which is exceptionally good value for a top-of-the-line subcompact sedan. With the upgrades and updated prices, the City has gone from being a great recommendation to a must-see, must-try, or must-buy sedan.
Specifications
Engine
1.5 LFuel Type
GasolinePerformance
119 hp @ 6,600 rpmTransmission
CVT-
Summary
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Name Honda City 1.5 RS CVT Honda SENSING Body Type Sedan Price ₱1,128,000 Transmission Category CVT -
Engine
-
Engine Size 1.5 L Displacement 1,498 cc Number of Cylinders 4 Number of Valves 16 Transmission Type Continuously Variable Transmission -
Performance
-
Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Max Output (HP) 119 hp @ 6,600 rpm Max Torque (nm) 145 Nm @ 4,300 rpm *Acceleration Rate (0-100 km/h) n/a Top Speed n/a *estimated -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type Gasoline CO2 Emission n/a Fuel Capacity 40 L *Fuel Consumption 6.4 L/100 km *Range 628 km *estimated -
Dimensions
-
Length 4,589 mm Width 1,748 mm Height 1,467 mm Wheelbase 2,600 mm Turning Circle 10.0 m Ground Clearance 134 mm Wading Depth n/a Trunk Capacity 519 L Max Cargo n/a Number of Doors 4 Number of Seats 5 -
Safety & Security
-
Driver's Airbag Front Passenger's Airbag Side Airbags Curtain Airbags Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) w/ Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
-
Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 16 in Wheels Metal Type Alloy Airconditioning System Manual Cooler, Dial Type Control Entertainment System 8-inch infotainment system Connectivity Bluetooth, USB, Weblink, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay Navigation Ready Warranty 3 Years (100,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
-
Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes n/a Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
Recently Added Promos
Honda Cars Yuchengco
Honda Cars Quezon City Group
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