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The Honda City has been around for nearly three decades now, which is longer than most YouTube channels, smartphones, and certainly my knees. The e:HEV version you see here is the hybrid one, and I have been quietly using it as a daily driver for the past month.
It is still very much a City. Four proper doors, a long bonnet, and a boot. Proper three-box silhouette. Despite its size, it is easy to manoeuvre through city traffic. The steering is light, the turning circle is short, and you never feel like you are driving something large. This is useful
when half the roads are blocked by badly parked SUVs.Inside, everything is exactly where you expect it to be. The seats are comfortable, the visibility is excellent, and the cabin has that familiar Honda sense of logic. There is a wireless charger, a sensible number of cupholders, and just enough tech to feel modern. There are some omissions. The infotainment screen is on the smaller side, there are no ventilated seats, and surprisingly, no USB-C ports. However, there is an ADAS with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. These work perfectly in the background and do not try to take over the whole experience.
The real strength of this car lies in its hybrid system. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery. Around town, it glides along silently and smoothly. On the highway, it cruises at 100 without any drama. What stands out is the efficiency. On a real-world city loop, it returned 23-25 kilometres per litre. On the highway, it managed 27.8kmpl. That is better than some diesels.
If you’re the sort who enjoys wafting along in something that doesn’t look like a transformer or drink fuel like a jet ski, this might be your thing. There’s something deeply satisfying about a car that’s honest, comfortable, and quietly clever. And while it may not be the most exciting car I have driven this year, it may be one of the most agreeable. The Honda City e:HEV is quiet, refined, economical and honest. I rather like it.
