Honda City gets a new generation and hatch version to take the Fit out of line

Honda decided to rethink its line in Brazil and with just one launch decided to replace two models with one. Fit and Civic leave the scene for the arrival of the new generation of City.

Known for its sedan version in Brazil, which is now in its third generation, the City also comes with a hatch body, which promises to keep the same qualities as the Fit in a cheaper package to make. The model made so far in Brazil received a new generation in Japan and Europe and would be too expensive to bring it.

One of the features that former Fit buyers may miss has been remedied. The City hatch comes with the same rear seat as the minivan, which folds up or is folded all over to create different ways to carry different objects. The nice 363 liter trunk, however, now only has 268 liters in the City hatch.

To have more space for luggage, the sedan is still the best option. It has a capacity of 519 liters in the trunk, despite not having the modular seat. The two bodies have the same 2.60 m wheelbase, the same as the current City and 7 cm longer than the Fit.

City’s look remains discreet. The more aficionados should realize that this is a completely new car and not a re-styling of the old one. The hatch uses the same front, while the rear has an air of what is known from elsewhere. Horizontal taillights are already common in the category, as in the Fiat Argo and Hyundai HB20.

Inside, City doesn’t mind innovating a lot either. The concern is greater in ergonomics and quality of finish, according to Honda. The multimedia center with an 8″ screen and connection to Android Auto and Apple Carplay systems is standard on all versions.

Speaking of which, there are three options for the sedan, starting with the EX, which already comes with six airbags and a face-to-face key, among others. This option is exclusive to the hatchback, as the hatch is sold from the EXL, which adds items such as blind spot warning, parking sensor, automatic air conditioning, leather seats and digital screen on the dashboard.

The top-of-the-line version is the Touring, which highlights the semi-autonomous driving system, which includes adaptive cruise control, which keeps the car at the speed of the vehicle ahead, automatic braking, lane-staying assistant and automatic adjustment of the lighthouse. In practice, the car can drive itself for a short time.

The most expensive sedan takes the Civic out of line, which was already at a low in sales and also received a new generation abroad, which would be expensive to manufacture here. Honda should import some versions of the sedan, such as the sporty Si.

New engine but no turbo

All versions use the same mechanics. Honda dismissed the turbo engine fad and brought in a new 1.5 16v four-cylinder. It yields 126 horsepower, 10 horsepower more than the old 1.5 that served City and Fit. The potency is the same with ethanol or with gasoline in the tank.

This gain was obtained with the adoption of direct fuel injection and dual overhead camshafts, one for the intake valves and the other for exhaust.

According to the measurement of Inmetro, the City sedan has a consumption in the city of 9.2/13.1 km/l (ethanol/gasoline) and, on the road, 10.5/15.2 km/l. The hatch registered 9.1/13.3 and 10.5/14.8 km/l respectively. The objective is to fight the 1.0 turbo of the competition.

The transmission is always automatic and of the CVT type (no exchanges). He continues to simulate seven gears as he did in the old City and Fit duo.

Sales of the sedan only start in January, with pre-sales starting next Tuesday (23). The hatch arrives in March, with pre-sales starting in January, when prices will be announced.

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