Honda City Hybrid: “In India, Honda is known for providing well-rounded, comfortable and premium sedans which are reliable also.” – With the City e:HEV (Hybrid), Honda enters the realm of electrification in the mainstream, blending the company’s popular sedan recipe with modern hybrid power.
At a time when hybrid technology is yet begin serious mainstream adoption in India, the Honda City Hybrid is the first of its breed in the country that checks – fuel efficiency, performance, sub-4 metre practicality right within one box.
Design and Exterior
The City Hybrid looks much like the regular petrol model at first glance. The design is fairly low-key, with some subtle touches such as a blue-accented Honda badge, e:HEV badging and a fresh rear diffuser that will help onlookers to deduce that it’s a hybrid.
The remaining design is smooth and stylish, with LED headlamps, 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, and a chunky front grille.
The dimensions remain the same, with a long wheelbase providing adequate room inside. If you’re one of those buyers who opt to value demure premium styling, the City Hybrid will check all the right boxes.
Cabin and Features
Open the door, climb in and you’re presented with a comfortable, familiar and feature-rich layout.
The dual tone black with ivory feel interior is airier, most of the soft-touch materials and piano black inserts give it upmarket feel. It’s built well, the finishes work well and they are consistent through the cabin.
Feature-wise, Honda has equipped the City Hybrid with:
An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
A 7.0 inch semi digital instrument cluster showing hybrid-related information
Electric sunroof, ambient lighting and rear AC vents
Wireless Connectivity To Your Smartphone
ADAS (Honda Sensing) with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking
The tech suite isn’t the flashiest, but it’s functional and focused on safety and comfort.
Horsepower Hybrid Engine And How It Drives
However, the most important tweak sits beneath the surface. Power comes from a 1.5L Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, supplemented by two electric motors in the City Hybrid.
The two have a combined output of 126 PS and 253 Nm. e-CVT Transmission for Smooth and Intuitive Power Delivery The car is equipped with an e-CVT transmission to realize smooth and linear power transfer.
Its genius is in the clever way the system can flip between EV, hybrid and engine only. At low speeds or during mellow cruising, the car operates primarily on electric power, making it whisper-quiet and efficient.
When there is more power requirement, the petrol engine comes in without fuss and the electric motors provide support.
The change between settings is imperceptible and the whole driving feel is luxurious. For urban jaunts and easy highway cruising, the City Hybrid provides a quiet, almost luxurious experience behind the wheel.
Fuel Efficiency and Braking
One of the biggest USPs of the City Hybrid is its fuel economy that averages anywhere between 26-27 km/l in mixed driving conditions. That’s much better than most petrol sedans, and isn’t that far off some diesel cars.
It also receives regenerative braking, which charges the battery while braking. The system is subtle, and though not aggressive, as in full electric vehicles, it works to maximize fuel use.
Pros
The real-world fuel efficiency is spectacular
Ride is smooth and quiet.
Advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS)
Premium and spacious cabin
Trusted Honda reliability
NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) are terribly low.
Cons
Comparatively expensive to the normal petrol version
No diesel or manual option
Less of a boot because of the battery location
EV mode only works at lower speeds
e-CVT not suited for enthusiastic driving
Honda City Hybrid: Conclusion
The Honda City Hybrid has more up its sleeves but it’s not just a tech showcase — it’s a capably well-rounded sedan that marries City practicality and comfort to hybrid efficiency.
The City e:HEV is perfect for shoppers who want to save on fuel without fully going electric or trading traveling distance for mpg.
Though the marginally higher cost might put ’em off, the long term returns and the premium feel more than make up for it and it is time for urban and semi-urban families to make a smart choice.