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-metre—fuel gauge, speedo and rpm meters—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, it’s close to 25 kmpl.
No doubt the City’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 City’s case, every rupee is worth it.