Honda City GM6 (2014-Present) Expert Review
20 May 2014
Overall Rating
The Honda City climbs off its previous high horse to properly take Malaysia's biggest vehicle segment by storm. It is the most complete product in its class, with contemporary styling, a smooth and flexible drivetrain, a lot of space and commendable safety features. And if you're a techie, you'll love the V grade.
Performance
Same 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine as before, but the four-cylinder is effortless and free-revving. Silky smooth behaviour at all speeds thanks to a CVT, but sudden demands for power are not answered so immediately. Once things get going, though, the drivetrain is responsive and even slightly sporty in nature.
Ride & Handling
Civilised road manners on the whole – no abrupt weight transfers and cornering is relatively flat and balanced. Steering is quick and accurate, although during spirited driving, you'd wish for a little more weight. Among the better handlers in its class.
Comfort
Road and wind noises are low, but the engine gets pretty vocal when pushed, and the CVT prolongs the sound. The ride is a bit on the firm side, but generally not intolerable. Front seats could offer more thigh support. Rear air vents are available on E and V grades.
Safety
Where safety is concerned, the V-grade Honda City is currently the best-equipped sedan in its segment, with six airbags and VSA stability control. One step down is the E grade, which keeps VSA, but has the class-standard two airbags. All grades get reverse sensors, drum brakes on the rear wheels, rear seat Isofix and three-point seat belts all round.
Space
Back seat passengers enjoy an expanse of shoulder and leg room, including being able to tuck their feet under the front seats. The boot can swallow a class-leading 536 litres. On E and V grades, the back seats are split 60:40 and can be folded down for even more luggage space.
Value
The Honda City has lots of cool stuff, including blue-illuminated gauges, a seven-inch touch-screen with HDMI input, touch-sensitive air-con controls, eight-speaker sound, two USB ports and three 12V sockets – unfortunately a lot of these are limited to the V grade, but this is the one to buy. If that's a bit of a stretch then go for the E grade - the lower grades are very bare in comparison. Warranty is five years with unlimited mileage, and you get six times free labour service up to 100,000 km.