Hello. We review the 2022 Honda City, using the principle of SWOT Analysis where we will evaluate the car basis its strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats it faces. Do watch the video as well!
Let us start with the strengths of 2022 Honda City.
Strengths Of Honda City
Reliable & Fuel Efficient Engines
The Japanese automaker Honda is well known for its reliability. Since their debut in India with the Vtec engines, engine breakdown is probably the last thing you will hear from a Honda owner. With the launch of D-tec diesel engines back in 2014, Honda had won the hearts of the customers and acquired a completely new territory, which was earlier dominated by the Koreans & the Germans with their diesel offerings. The 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine delivers high fuel efficiency of 18.4 Km/l with the CVT gearbox, while the 1.5L diesel engine returns 24.1 Km/l.
Highlights:
- FE- 18.4 Km/l (Petrol)
- FE- 24.1 Km/l (Diesel)
Feature Loaded
The Honda City is well kitted with features to maintain its reputation in the segment. The City comes with a Lane Watch camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Hill Start Assist, Multi Angle Rear Camera, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Auto Dimming Rear view mirror, Alexa Compatibility & Honda’s connected car tech features.
Highlights:
- Safety Features- Lane Watch camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System & Hill Start Assist
- Comfort features- Smartphone Connectivity, Alexa Compatibility & Honda’s Connected Car Tech Features
Hybrid Technology
The 5th generation of the City also comes with a hybrid variant, making it the only car in the segment to be offered with a hybrid powertrain. The addition of hybrid technology adds 5 HP to the specs, but it is the torque figure which has massively increased from a mere 145 Nm to 253 Nm. The electric motors are capable of driving the City on pure electric mode when the batteries are charged enough. The petrol engine in the hybrid City serves its main purpose of recharging the batteries, unlike the partial hybrids available in India.
However, the hybrid variant does come at a premium, as the price starts at Rs 19.49 Lakhs (ex-showroom).
Highlights:
- Power- 125 HP & 253 Nm Torque
- Price- Rs 19.49 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom)
ADAS Features
The hybrid City also comes along with ADAS features, like brake assist, lane assist, adaptive cruise control & high beam assist- a must needed feature for Indian roads.
This makes the City, the only sedan in the segment to be offered with ADAS features.
Highlights:
- ADAS Features- Brake Assist, Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control & High Beam Assist
Weaknesses Of Honda City
No Diesel AT
The D-Tec diesel engine in the City is only paired to a manual gearbox and it misses out on the driving comfort of the automatic transmission. Considering the high fuel efficiency of the diesel engine, it is a disappointment for the buyers in the segment, to choose an alternative just because of the gearbox options.
Infotainment Screen Quality
Although the infotainment system offers a plethora of features, the response from the touchscreen is not up to the mark, when compared to its rivals. It is its features that compensate for this fly in the ointment.
No Turbo Petrol
While the entire global market is offered the turbo V-Tec engines, India still misses out on the thrill of their turbo petrol engines. If the naturally aspirated engines can garner such respect in the community, one must think about, what the turbo petrol engines are capable of.
Opportunities For Honda City
Diesel Automatic Variant
Dual-Clutch Transmission
Infotainment Screen Quality
Adjustable Headrest
Threats For Honda City
Skoda Slavia & VW Virtus
The recent updates from the German car makers have increased the segment standards, for the City to guard its crown. The Slavia & the Virtus offers a superb driving experience, fuel efficiency and comfort features. Both the Virtus & the Slavia are bigger in dimensions, offering a spacious cabin and a beefy stance on the exterior.
Highlights:
- Bigger in Dimensions
Hyundai Verna
The Verna has the upper hand in the segment, as it is the only sedan to be offered with a diesel powertrain that too with an option of an automatic gearbox. This fact poses a threat to not just Honda City, but also its German rivals.
Highlights:
- Only Diesel Automatic In Segment
To conclude the SWOT Analysis review of the 2022 Honda City, it is fair to say that it still offers the value for money proposition in the segment. However, if you are strongly inclined towards a diesel automatic, you do not have many options to choose from but to go for the Hyundai Verna. If not, then the German rivals are equally good alternatives in the segment. Lastly, if budget is not the constraint, then definitely the hybrid City has much more to offer than any of the sedans in the segment.
