A CITY WORTH MOVING TO

The world may have fallen in love with SUVs, but the Honda City is not ready to surrender just yet. With a refreshed sporty design and added technology, the 2026 Honda City facelift reminds us why some classics never really go out of style. We at BW Businessworld took the latest hybrid variant for a spin to see whether this Japanese icon still knows how to charm Indian buyers nearly three decades after its debut, writes

- Utkarsh Agarwal [e-mail]

VERY FEW CARS in India have enjoyed the kind of reputation that the Honda City has built over the years. Across five generations and almost three decades later, the City has remained one of the most desirable sedans in the country. It has survived changing trends, welcomed new rivals and managed to stay relevant despite SUVs stealing the spotlight.

The 2026 facelift is significant not because Honda has reinvented the City, but because it represents the first step in the company’s renewed product offensive in India. While the name remains familiar, Honda has added several features and sharpened the styling to attract younger buyers. I spent few hours behind the wheel of the 2026 top-spec Honda City e:HEV ZX+ variant, which continues to be the only strong hybrid sedan in its segment. And, here's my first-drive impressions.

Pictures Don’t Do It Justice

One thing that immediately stands out, is the way the new City looks in person. Photographs simply don't do justice to the car. The redesigned front end gives the sedan a much sportier character. The connected lighting element, new sleeker Blade Eye Signature LED headlamps, blacked-out grille and new bumper treatment make the City look more contemporary without going overboard.

A new Crystal Black Pearl shade has also been introduced for the first time on the City, lending it an understated yet sporty appearance. Adding to its road presence is the fact that the 2026 City is now the longest sedan in its segment, measuring 4,594 mm in length, which is 11 mm longer than its predecessor. Those elegant proportions continue to give the City a distinct three-box appeal that many sedan enthusiasts would appreciate.