City Reloaded

When most auto manufacturers are busy adding diesel variants to their current car models, Honda has delivered a googly by upgrading its flagship mid-size sedan, the City ZX. The Japanese company has introduced three new variants that are packed with safety features, leather upholstery and a new steering.
Honda claims that the new variants have been rolled out as the 10th anniversary edition of the City ZX in the Indian market, but it is a bid to regain the mid-size car segment. The competition is heating up with Maruti Suzuki SX4 and Mahindra Renault Logan having outsold the City in June and July this year.
The City is in a league of its own. It may not be a stunner like the Maruti sedan, but the City ZX VTEC will force you to steal a glance. The VTEC comes with a rear spoiler and a macho front with fog lamps that make it look like a sporty executive sedan. The car is also equipped with alloy wheels.
Inside, the dual black-beige colour usage and the wood finish brighten it and make you will feel as if are in a higher segment car like the Chevrolet Optra. The wood finish is a tad shiny but blends with the interiors better than the previous chrome garnishing. The new combi-metre8212;fuel gauge, speedo and rpm meters8212;is now white and so easier to read. The dials remain the classy electro-luminescent.
Honda has also added a new Alpine stereo system which plays crystal clear music, comes with four speakers and reads both MP3 and WMA files.
What makes the new City a class apart in its segment is the safety features like the airbags for the driver and the front passenger and anti-lock braking system ABS.
The new City variants are priced between Rs 6.8 lakh and Rs 8.65 lakh ex-showroom in Delhi. On the other hand, the SX4 range is available for Rs 6.3-7.2 lakh, while the Logan is for Rs 4.7-6.5 lakh. The Honda is more expensive, but you get a lot more from it. The City also returns a very high mileage of 14-15 km per litre in urban traffic with the air conditioner. On the highways, it8217;s close to 25 kmpl.
No doubt the City8217;s anniversary edition boasts contemporary styling, luxurious interiors, superior performance and assured safety, but when it comes to the price tag, the SX4 and Logan are a lot more affordable. But let us not forget the Honda brand does not get into a price war like other companies and there is always a price to pay for a savvy, reliable car. In City8217;s case, every rupee is worth it.