Honda City E

Honda City E: A Budget-Friendly Sedan with Big Appeal

If you’re looking for an affordable yet reliable family car, the Honda City E is an option worth considering. While the higher-end Honda City RS and V-SEN versions boast sportier looks and extra features, the City E stands strong as the budget-friendly choice. Recently, we had the chance to test drive the Honda City E alongside some valued guests—Bapak, Fred Pesot, and Didie Diane—and together, we got a firsthand experience of just how much this car offers for its price.

Despite being the entry-level variant in the Honda City lineup, the City E doesn’t hold back on key features. From a smooth ride to its impressive safety specs and tech-savvy cabin, we discovered that this sedan punches well above its weight. In this article, we’ll walk you through the standout attributes of the Honda City E and explain why it continues to be a popular choice for families looking for an affordable, no-compromise ride.

Performance and Engine: Efficient, Smooth, and Fun to Drive

When it comes to performance, we weren’t expecting a high-performance sports sedan—but the Honda City E really surprised us. With a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine, this car delivers 120 PS of power and 145 Nm of torque, offering plenty of pep for city driving and longer trips alike.

Engine Power & Torque

• Max Power: 120 PS @ 6,600 rpm
• Max Torque: 145 Nm @ 4,300 rpm

During our test drive, Bapak (who drives quite a lot for work) immediately noticed how responsive the engine was, even when overtaking slower vehicles on highways. The CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) was especially appreciated for its smooth, seamless gear shifts—making every journey feel effortless.

Fuel Efficiency: Great for Daily Commutes

One of the standout features of the Honda City E is its remarkable fuel efficiency. With an average of 5.4L/100 km, this sedan is ideal for long commutes and city driving without breaking the bank at the fuel pump. Fred, who’s always conscious of fuel costs, commented on how impressed he was by the savings he could expect for daily city driving.

Top Speed and Acceleration

• Top Speed: 196 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds

While we didn’t take the City E to its top speed, Didie Diane—who enjoys a little spirited driving now and then—was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the car accelerated when merging onto highways. Even in traffic, the Honda City E feels agile and quick to respond.

Safety Features: Keeping Your Family Safe

Safety was a key factor we all agreed on during our review. The Honda City E is packed with essential safety features that help ensure peace of mind for both drivers and passengers. With a 5-star safety rating from the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) in India, it’s clear that Honda has prioritized safety, even for the budget-friendly E variant.

Key Safety Features

• Dual Front SRS Airbags
• Side Airbags
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist (BA)
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
• Rear Seat ISOFIX for child safety

During the test drive, Fred (who’s a father of two) really appreciated the ISOFIX child seat anchors, which made securing his kids’ car seats quick and hassle-free. The ABS, EBD, and VSA worked seamlessly together to give us confidence in the car’s handling, even when we tested it on some slippery surfaces during a brief rain shower.

Reverse Parking Aids

Didie was quick to test out the multi-angle reverse camera and reverse sensors—features that make parking in tight spaces a breeze. The car’s reverse sensors also provided a helpful beep, making it easier for us to gauge how close we were to obstacles. This feature, especially in city traffic, can make a big difference for drivers who aren’t as comfortable with reverse parking.

Infotainment and Comfort: Tech-Savvy and Family-Friendly

One of the things we really loved about the Honda City E was its tech-packed cabin. Honda has done a fantastic job of keeping things modern, without overwhelming you with unnecessary gadgets. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to integrate our smartphones for navigation, music, and hands-free calling.

Infotainment System

• 8-inch Touchscreen Display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling
• Voice Command Recognition

Bapak, who’s a big fan of simplicity, really liked how easy it was to sync his phone with the system and navigate through different apps without fiddling too much with the controls. He also mentioned that the Bluetooth hands-free calling worked without any noticeable delay or connection issues.

Climate Control and Seating

• Single Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Rear Air Conditioning Ventilation

On a warm day during our test drive, the Honda City E‘s automatic climate control ensured that the cabin stayed cool, even with the air conditioning on full blast. We were all impressed by how well the system worked, and we appreciated the rear air vents, especially when we had passengers in the back.

The seats, made from comfortable fabric, are perfect for long drives—both supportive and breathable. While Fred wished for a bit more lumbar support, we all agreed that the seats were comfy enough for everyday use.

Exterior Design: Sleek, Stylish, and Practical

The exterior design of the Honda City E is both modern and practical. It’s not as flashy as the RS variant, but its sleek body lines and well-thought-out features give it a stylish yet understated look.

Exterior Features

• Projector Halogen Headlights
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
• 15-inch Alloy Wheels

The Honda City E also comes with a nice selection of paint colors, including Passion Red Pearl and Platinum White Pearl, giving you options to choose a look that suits your style.

Conclusion: The Honda City E is a Winner for Budget-Conscious Families

After test-driving the Honda City E, it’s clear that this is a sedan that delivers great value without compromising on quality or features. The Honda City E combines an efficient engine, solid safety features, modern infotainment, and comfortable seating into a well-rounded package that is perfect for families on a budget.

Bapak, Fred, Didie, and I all agreed that the Honda City E is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a practical, family-friendly car that won’t stretch their budget. Whether you’re looking for a reliable daily driver, a safe family car, or a car that offers great tech for the price, the Honda City E is well worth considering.

At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right balance between performance, safety, and cost—and the Honda City E does just that.

Honda City E Technical Specifications

Engine and Performance

• Engine Type: 4-Cylinder, 16 Valve, DOHC i-VTEC
• Engine Capacity: 1.5 liters
• Max Power: 120 PS @ 6,600 rpm
• Max Torque: 145 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
• Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
• Fuel Efficiency: 5.4L/100 km
• Top Speed: 196 km/h
• Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 10.2 seconds
• Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
• Drive System: 2WD (Front Wheel Drive)

Suspension and Handling

• Front Suspension: MacPherson Struts
• Rear Suspension: Torsion Beam

Braking and Safety

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Standard
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD): Standard
• Brake Assist (BA): Standard
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA): Standard
• Hill Start Assist (HSA): Standard
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS): Standard
• Airbags: Dual Front SRS Airbags, Side Airbags
• Rear Seat ISOFIX: Standard
• ISOFIX I-Size Type: Standard
• Reverse Camera: Multi-angle
• Reverse Sensors: 2

Wheels and Tires

• Wheels: 15″ Alloy Wheels
• Tires: 185/60 R15 Alloy
• Spare Tire: 15″ Alloy Spare

Exterior and Lighting

• Headlights: Projector Halogen
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL): Standard
• Paint Colors: Passion Red Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl

Interior and Comfort

• Seating Material: Fabric Upholstery
• Infotainment System: 8-inch Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ready
• Sound System: 4-Speaker Audio System
• Air Conditioning: Single Zone Automatic with Rear Air Conditioning Ventilation

Security and Convenience

• Security Alarm: Standard with Immobilizer
• Agile Handle Assist (AHA): Standard

Additional Features

• Paint Color Options: Passion Red Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl
• Spare Tyre: Yes, 15″ Alloy