2014 Honda City VTi Review

2014 Honda City VTi front quarter

We drove the 2014 Honda Jazz recently and liked its comfortable ride and competent handling. Its clever packaging also impressed upon us.

Now it’s the Jazz’s booted brother, the City’s, turn to show us if it has what it takes to take on the not only the more trendy hatches, but also the burgeoning small SUVs infesting our city streets.

Styling

2014 Honda City VTi side

Available in two models – VTi and VTi-L, the 2014 Honda City is powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine developing 88kW of power and 146Nm of torque as the Jazz.

Prices start from $15,990 for the VTi, while the better equipped and CVT only VTi-L starts from $21,390. Meanwhile, our VTi CVT costs $17,990.

2014 Honda City VTi rear2014 Honda City VTi front

Externally, the small Honda sedan sports a low front and strong character lines as its hatch sibling. It looks more dynamic than the old model, especially at the rear quarter where the flared guard works with the deeply sculpted side panel to give the car a dynamic stance.

While its wraparound taillights and smart front grille certainly wouldn’t look out of place on more expensive cars, our entry-level model’s 15-inch steel wheels with hub cabs looks decidedly low-rent.

Score: 7.5/10

Space and Practicality

2014 Honda City VTi Display Audio System

Honda said that in order to develop the new City for the world (over 2.2 million have been sold since the models debut in 1996), the company undertook customer research to understand how they use their vehicle.

The common theme that Honda found was the customers’ reliance on their smartphones. Our phones travel with us all the time, so Honda set out to create a cabin that offers a truly integrated experience.

Central to this is Honda’s Display Audio System with its 7-inch colour touch screen that is integrated high on the dashboard within easy reach of the driver and front-seat passenger.

2014 Honda City VTi rear legroom2014 Honda City VTi boot space-1

It brings Bluetooth connectivity, including audio streaming and even HDMI audio and video playback (when the car is stationary and the handbrake is on). It also integrates Apple’s Siri that enables iPhone users to operate the phone using voice commands by holding down the ‘Talk’ button on the steering wheel.

It also allows you to use the apps on the user’s iPhone when connected with the special HDMI cable (sold separately).

Honda hopes that the integrated technology will lure younger buyers to the model, besides keeping older, established buyers happy with a roomy cabin and a generous 536 litres boot space (30 litres more than the outgoing model).

While the boot is large enough, the same can’t be said about the boot opening, making loading and unloading larger object somewhat awkward. The versatile Jazz with its Magic Seats and large roof-hinged hatch is better in this regard.

Score: 8.5/10

Performance

Honda City engine

Like the Jazz, the City is powered by the carried over 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine albeit upgraded for improved performance and fuel efficiency.

It produces 88kW at 6,600rpm and 145Nm at 4,600rpm and is mated with a 5-speed manual as standard, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) available as an option (standard on the VTi-L).

It won’t win you the traffic light drag race, but is sufficient to get you off the line without embarrassing yourself with one passenger on board. Pleasingly, the small engine is generally muted, except when hustled, where it will answer back with a protesting metallic rasp.

The engine, when paired with the CVT, is said to be 12 per cent more economical than the old model and 8 per cent for the manual. There is also an ECO button to help you reach for that but it dampens throttle response and keep revs low. It got ignored during the test.

Nevertheless, we still averaged 6.0L/100km on test, which is impressive and not far off the claimed fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km.

Score: 7.0/10

Ride and Handling

2014 Honda City motion

The driving sensation in the new City positively lives up to its name and closely mirrors that of the Jazz. It is light and easy to manoeuvre around town, yet is capable of tackling corners with little body roll.

The steering is responsive but provides little in terms of feel. Like the Jazz, it also suffers from lack of front-end grip, with the skinny tyres scrambling for traction even in the dry.

On the open road, it cruises with the confidence of a big car and is relatively quiet and comfortable, except for some wind noise. Some drivers might also find the City’s flat front seats lacking in support.

Score: 7.5/10

Equipment

2014 Honda City VTi interior

Both models are generously equipped. The VTi gets power windows, mirrors, cruise control, multi information display, 7-inch touch screen Display Audio system, steering wheel mounted audio controls, manual air-conditioning and tilt and telescoping adjustable steering wheel.

Stepping up to the VTi-L adds 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and push button start, 8-speaker sound system (instead of 4), leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearlever, climate control air-conditioning and chrome accents in the cabin.

On the safety front, both models get 6 airbags, ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, rear view camera, emergency stop signal and hill start assist.

However, neither model is fitted with parking sensors which is a glaring omission.

Score: 8.5/10

Verdict

Our Score: 3.7/5

While the 2014 Honda City may not be as trendy as some other hatchback in its class, it is just as spacious and almost as practical.

What impresses most is its affordability, fuel efficiency, refinement and long list of standard equipment.

Price (Excl. on-roads):From $15,990 to $21,390
As tested: $18,485 (incl. metallic paint)
Warranty:3 years/100,000km
Engine:1.5-litre i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder petrol

88kW @ 6,600rpm, 145Nm @ 4,600rpm, front-wheel drive

Service Intervals:6 months/10,000km
Combined Fuel Consumption (L/100km):Manual

Claimed: 5.8

CVT Automatic

Claimed: 5.7

Tested: 6.0

Body:4-door sedan
Safety:5-star ANCAP
Dimensions L/W/H/W-B (mm):4,455 / 1,694 / 1,477 / 2,600
Tare Mass (kg):1,082 – 1,107
Towing Capacity:Braked: 800 / Unbraked: 450

The Competitors: Toyota Yaris sedan, Hyundai Accent, Holden Barina Sedan

 

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