Honda City Through the Years: The Car That Defined Middle-Class Aspiration

There are cars that become popular, and then there are those which have become a cult, like the Honda City. Owning a City is not merely about mobility for the middle class of India: it is about aspiration. Since its introduction in 1998, all the way to the Honda City 2023 and beyond, the sedan has been the gold standard of refinement, reliability, and understated prestige.

In nearly three decades, the City has sold over 9 lakh units in India, and it is the longest-running mainstream sedan in the country. From the initial VTEC growl to the current hybrid silence, the Honda City has been able to keep up with the times without losing its identity. Let us rewind and relive how the favourite sedan in India turned out to be iconic generation after generation.

The First Generation (1998–2002): When Performance Met Purpose

When the first Honda City was introduced in 1998, the sedan market in India was dominated by boxy European hand-me-downs like Opel Astra, Ford Escort or and and Japanese entrants like the Mitsubishi Lancer. The City changed that overnight. It looked youthful, drove like a dream and brought Honda’s legendary VTEC technology a couple of years later to India.

Engines & Highlights

• 1.3-litre petrol (90 PS) and 1.5-litre petrol (100–106 PS in VTEC trim)
   
• 5-speed manual gearbox with light clutch and slick shifts
   
• 0–100 km/h in under 10 seconds for the 1.5 VTEC
   

• Minimalist interiors, analogue dials, and surprisingly solid build

   

It was the car that reinvented what middle-class customers could dream of having, a car that was fast, reliable, and sophisticated. The VTEC badge became a status symbol very fast. 

The Second Generation (2003–2008): The “Dolphin” That Focused on Comfort

By the early 2000s, Honda realised that Indian consumers were maturing and they desired efficiency and comfort as much as excitement. Thus, in 2003, the second-generation City was born with an entirely new appearance, rounded lines, and what many called the Dolphin design.

Engines & Key Changes

• 1.5-litre i-DSI engine with dual spark plugs (77 PS), which was tuned for mileage
   
• First CVT automatic option in India, which was smooth and effortless for city use
   
• Centre fuel tank layout, freeing up a spacious rear bench and class-leading boot
   

• Dual airbags and ABS (on higher trims), which improved safety

   

In 2005, Honda gave it a new lease of life by equipping it with the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine and increasing power to 99 PS, which restored some of the original Honda spirit. 

The second-gen City was not as sporty at first, but it had achieved comfort, refinement, and practicality: the very attributes that had made it dominate the mass market. By the time it was discontinued in 2008, over 1.7 lakh units of the second-gen City had found Indian homes.

The Third Generation (2008–2013): The Return of the Enthusiast’s City

The Honda City 2008–2013 era was the period of global maturity for the sedan. It became smoother, sharper and much more aerodynamic. It was based on a design that Honda referred to as the Arrow Shot Form.

Engines & Highlights

• 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol (118 PS, 145 Nm)
   
• 5-speed manual and 5-speed torque converter automatic
   
• Standard ABS, EBD, and dual airbags across variants
   
• First-ever sunroof on higher trims, which instantly became a selling point
   

• Integrated audio, USB support, paddle shifters (AT), and new alloy wheel designs

   

It appeared premium and was even better to drive. The steering was precise, the suspension was firm without being harsh, and the gearbox was among the smoothest in the segment.

The petrol refinement and reliability kept the City on top, though it did not have a diesel engine at that time. It even had a CNG version in 2012, to appeal to budget-conscious buyers. In India, Honda sold almost 2 lakh units of this generation.

The Fourth Generation (2014–2020): The Diesel That Dominated

The Honda City 2014 model not only marked an update, but it was a revolution. For the first time ever, the City came with a diesel engine, which Indian buyers had been pleading for.

Engine Line-up

• 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol: 119 PS / 145 Nm
   
• 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel: 100 PS / 200 Nm
   
• Transmission: 5-speed manual / CVT (petrol) / 6-speed manual (diesel)
   

Key Features

• Sunroof, touchscreen infotainment, keyless entry, rear camera
   
• Enhanced safety with dual airbags standard; six airbags on top trims
   
• ISOFIX child-seat mounts, LED headlamps, and improved NVH
   

• Outstanding rear seat comfort

   

The diesel City recorded an incredible 25.6 km/l ARAI, setting efficiency records. The petrol CVT model was also very popular with urban users for its convenience and smoothness.

India was the first market to get this fourth generation and this demonstrates how the City had become part of the global strategy of Honda. Even after the Honda City 2020 was launched, Honda continued selling this generation alongside it till 2023, which is a rare feat that shows how loved it was.

The Fifth Generation (2020–Present): Technology Meets Tradition

The Honda City 2020 introduced the fifth generation, constructed on a new platform. It features smoother proportions, a longer wheelbase, and more space than ever.

Engines & Variants

• 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol: 121 PS / 145 Nm with 6MT or 7-step CVT
   
• 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel: 100 PS / 200 Nm (discontinued by 2023)
   

• From 2022 onward: City e:HEV Hybrid with two electric motors + 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol offering 126 PS combined output, 27 km/l claimed efficiency

   

Tech & Safety

• Honda Sensing ADAS: adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, collision mitigation braking
   
• Connected car features via Honda Connect (Alexa remote capability)
   
• Full LED headlamps, 8-inch infotainment, 7-inch semi-digital cluster
   
• Six airbags, ESC, Hill Hold Assist
   

• Sunroof standard on ZX trims

   

Honda City 2021 Price in India

The price ranged from ₹11.3 lakh to ₹16.07 lakh (ex-showroom, depending on variant and city). The Honda City 2023 carried on this tradition by introducing a facelift version with minor changes in style, feature packaging and the hybrid e:HEV variant taking centre stage. 

Why the Honda City Still Defines Aspiration

From the 2000s to the 2020s, owning a Honda City still means something. It’s a car that people buy not just for commuting, but for the class it carries.

• Reliability: You’ll find decade-old models still running smoothly.
   
• Comfort: Amongst the best-in-class rear seats.
   
• Resale: City continues to hold its value strongly thanks to Honda’s service consistency.
   

• Ownership: Low running costs, long parts life, and easy maintenance make a 2nd hand Honda City a dream to own.

   

Even now, listings for used Honda City models on CARS24 stay among the top-searched sedans, which is a clear sign that its charm is far from fading.

Best Honda City Models to Buy Used in 2025

Looking for a used Honda City in 2025? Here are the generations and trims that still deliver that premium sedan experience without the brand-new price tag:

Honda City 2014 Model (4th Gen: 2014–2020)

• The first City to introduce the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel, along with refined CVT petrol options, which are efficient, reliable, and still modern enough for daily use.
   
• Feature highlights: Sunroof, touchscreen infotainment, keyless entry, and best-in-class rear seat comfort.
   

• Price range (2025): ₹6.5–₹9 lakh for clean petrol CVT units and ₹6–₹9.5 lakh for well-kept diesel trims.

   

These trims are great for budget-conscious buyers who value comfort and mileage over flash.
 

Honda City 2020 (5th Gen Launch Year)

• This generation elevated the City into premium territory with full LED lighting, added features like ADAS, six airbags, and refined 1.5-litre i-VTEC performance.
   
• Feature highlights: 8-inch touchscreen, rear AC vents, Alexa connectivity, and sunroof on top trims.
   

• Price range (2025):₹9–₹12 lakh depending on mileage and variant.

   

Great for buyers who want a nearly new sedan with updated styling and proven reliability.

Honda City 2022 e:HEV Hybrid (5th Gen Refresh)

• The most advanced City ever, bringing in a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol with dual electric motors for unmatched efficiency (25–27 km/l).
   
• Feature highlights: Honda Sensing ADAS suite, strong-hybrid setup, 6 airbags, and whisper-quiet drive.
   

• CARS24 price range (2025): ₹14–₹17 lakh for ZX Hybrid trims in excellent condition.

   

Great for buyers who are after long-term value, hybrid tech, and top-tier comfort.

Summary

Across its five generations, the Honda City has evolved into one of the most technologically advanced and dependable vehicles in India. From the VTEC thrill of the first-gen to the hybrid precision of the Honda City 2023, it has always been a symbol of trust, quality, and refinement. All of these values resonated with the rising middle-class of India and made the City a timeless status symbol.

Even decades later, the appeal of owning a City has not diminished in any way, as it brings comfort, engines that are well built, and a driving experience that will always feel a level above the rest. And if you are looking at used cars, CARS24 simplifies the process. You can easily browse through verified listings, check transparent valuation, and even locate a used Honda City that has been inspected, certified, and is ready to take another ten years of daily commutes.