Honda City Facelift Flaunts Major Updates

• LED headlamps
• LED DRLs
• LED Foglamps
• LED Taillamps
• 16-Inch Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels
• Boot-Lid Spoiler With Brake Light

• New 7-Inch Infotainment System
• One-Touch Open/Close Sunroof
• 6 Airbags

Honda has made some special plans for Valentine's day and will be launching the 2017 City facelift on February 14, 2017. The Honda City has been in the country for almost two decades now. And for most of these years, it has been the dream car for buyers looking for a comfortable and agile premium sedan. There is no doubt that the new City will retain the driving and comfort levels it has always been known for. It should also raise the bar in terms of looks and features offered. The top-end ZX variant will also be making a comeback in the facelift, after being removed from the lineup in the previous generation.

The 2017 Honda City comes with a lot of glitz and glamour to make it more appealing to the younger generation. The biggest updates in the facelift City are the all-LED headlamps and DRLs. These make the facelift Honda City only the second car (after the Ignis) to sport this feature below the Rs 25 lakh mark. It also gets LED fog lamps and taillamps with the dual strip indicators. Add the new grille and bumpers to the mix and you get a modern looking car. 

Also, this time around, the Honda City gets diamond cut alloys which have been upsized to 16 inches compared to the 15-inch units on the outgoing model. These give the a sportier appeal. Further adding to the sporty flair of the City is a boot-lid spoiler with integrated brake light and a new rear bumper. 

Inside, the Honda City retains the same cabin but gets updated equipment. The older 6.2-inch infotainment screen has been swapped for a larger 7-inch one, the sunroof now gets the one-touch open/close feature and for safety, the sedan now gets six airbags, four more than before. 

In terms of drivetrain options, the 2017 Honda City will retain the 1.5-litre diesel and petrol engines mated to the 6-speed manual and 5-speed manual/CVT, respectively. Claimed fuel efficiency figures for both the manual transmissions have dropped by 0.4kmpl and now stand at 25.6 and 17.4kmpl (diesel and petrol) but the CVT transmission continues to claim 18kmpl. Peak power figures are expected to remain the same at 119PS/145Nm for the petrol and 100PS/200Nm for the diesel. 

There are also some unconfirmed reports about the facelift Honda City’s variants. The base S variant might only be available with the petrol engine and the E and VX(O) variants might altogether be removed. Also, with the LED updates, the top end ZX variant could cross the Rs 13 lakh mark and become the most expensive car in its segment. 

With the Rapid facelift launched and the Maruti Ciaz and Hyundai Verna pegged to receive an update soon, this is the perfect time for Honda to be bringing in the facelift. The 2017 City could have more on offer than the current competition. Also, until the updated Ciaz and Verna are launched, the new City can be considered a viable option although, at a premium.

Comparison

• Honda City vs Maruti Ciaz
• Honda City vs Hyundai Verna
• Honda City vs Skoda Rapid
• Honda City vs Volkswagen Vento