Honda City 4th Gen vs 5th Gen: Which Used Model Should You Buy in 2025?

Few sedans in India have shaped their segment like the Honda City. Since its launch in India in 1998, it has been the default upgrade for buyers moving beyond hatchbacks and compact sedans. In 2025, if you’re planning to buy one second-hand, the most common dilemma is this: used Honda City 4th vs 5th gen, which one should you put your money on?

The City has seen 5 generations since its inception. The 4th gen, which first arrived in 2014, carried on for nearly a decade before bowing out entirely in early 2023. The 5th gen, on sale since 2020, brought a new design, a stronger petrol engine, and later even a hybrid. Both are now common in the used market, and the ownership experience can feel very different. Keep reading, as this is the only guide you need to understand where both of these generations stand today, so you can decide which one works better for your needs.

Generational Overview

Before we get into engines, space, or features, let’s set the timeline so you know where both cars stand in the used market today.

Honda City 4th Gen (2014–2020, continued till 2023 in limited trims)

• Launched in Jan 2014, facelifted in 2017.
• First City to offer a diesel engine (1.5L i-DTEC) along with the trusted 1.5L i-VTEC petrol.
• Available with manual and CVT transmissions.
• While its official lifecycle ended in 2020 with the launch of the 5th Gen, Honda continued selling the 4th Gen in stripped-down SV and V petrol trims until early 2023 as a more affordable option.

Honda City 5th Gen (2020–Present)

• Introduced in July 2020, with a bigger body, sharper design, and a more advanced 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. 
• Initially offered with both petrol and diesel, but the diesel was dropped in 2023 with BS6 Phase 2.
• Added a strong hybrid variant, the City e:HEV, in 2022. 
• Facelifted in March 2023 with updated styling, more safety features, and ADAS tech.

So when you’re comparing a used Honda City 4th vs 5th gen, remember: the 4th Gen is older, simpler, and cheaper, while the 5th Gen is newer, better equipped, and priced higher, but both are widely available in the used market even in 2025.

Design and Space

Looks and cabin space are usually the first things buyers notice, and here’s where the two generations feel quite different.

4th Gen: 

A clean, balanced design that still looks decent but shows its age today. The cabin is spacious enough, with good rear legroom, though interior materials feel somewhat dated if you are looking at advanced features.

5th Gen: 

Sharper, more premium design with bigger dimensions, and a wider cabin. Rear legroom is better, and the interiors feel more upmarket with a “so-kai” cockpit layout.

If styling and a modern cabin matter to you, the 5th gen has a clear edge. But in a used Honda City 4th vs 5th gen comparison strictly for value, the 4th gen still looks respectable and does the job.

Engine and Performance

Under the hood is where Honda made some of the biggest changes, particularly with the shift from SOHC to DOHC petrol and the addition of a hybrid option.

4th Gen Engines:

• 1.5L i-VTEC Petrol (SOHC): 117 bhp, 145 Nm. Available with 5MT or CVT. Smooth and reliable, but efficiency is slightly lower.
• 1.5L i-DTEC Diesel: 99 bhp, 200 Nm, paired with 6MT. Great mileage but noisy refinement.

5th Gen Engines:

• 1.5L i-VTEC Petrol (DOHC with VTC): 119 bhp, 145 Nm. Available with 6MT or CVT. Smoother, more efficient, better performance at high revs.
• 1.5L i-DTEC Diesel: Offered until 2022, discontinued later.
• 1.5L e:HEV Hybrid: 126 bhp combined, e-CVT. Delivers segment-best mileage (~27 km/l ARAI).
   

Petrol CVT buyers will find the 5th gen more refined and efficient, but the 4th gen petrol is still extremely reliable. In the diesel vs diesel comparison, the 4th gen holds ground, since the 5th gen diesel was short-lived.

Features and Safety

This is one area where newer cars usually leap ahead, and the 5th gen Honda City definitely raised the bar on technology and safety.

4th Gen: 

Paddle shifters (CVT), touchscreen infotainment, dual airbags standard with six in higher trims, rear AC vents, and a parking camera.

When it comes to crash test ratings, the 4th Gen Honda City was tested under the old Global NCAP protocols. The version with two airbags was tested by GNCAP, which scored an above-average 4-star rating.

5th Gen: 

Adds much more, such as Alexa remote integration, LaneWatch camera, TPMS, Honda Connect with 30+ features, 6 airbags standard after 2023 facelift, premium climate control, ambient lighting, better seats, and advanced infotainment. Models post facelift also add a suite of ADAS tech from the V trim itself. The 5th Gen Honda City is one of the few ADAS cars in India to offer this active safety tech also on a manual transmission.

In a used Honda City 4th vs 5th gen decision, the 5th gen is leagues ahead on features and safety. While the India-spec new gen Honda City hasn’t been directly tested by GNCAP or BNCAP, the Thailand-spec model was tested by ASEAN NCAP back in March 2020, where it scored a solid 5 stars.

Ownership and Reliability

Buying used is as much about how the car has aged as it is about what it offered new. Here’s how the 4th and 5th generations hold up over time.

4th Gen: 

Owners report the first 30–40k km are trouble-free, but post that, some niggles start cropping up (plastics, suspension, electronics). Still, the petrol CVT remains bulletproof.

5th Gen: 

Newer cars, better build feel, fewer ageing issues so far. The hybrid adds complexity, but Honda's reliability is trusted.

A used Honda City 5th Gen is the safer long-term bet, but if you’re picking a 4th gen, aim for low mileage petrol CVT units (<30k km) for peace of mind.

Pricing in 2025

At the end of the day, the budget decides a lot. So let’s see what each model costs in the used market right now and the difference you can expect.

• 4th Gen ZX CVT (2018–2022): ₹9–11 lakh.
• 5th Gen ZX CVT (2020–2021): ₹12–14 lakh now, likely ₹11.5–13 lakh by 2025.
• 5th Gen Hybrid (2022 onwards): ₹15–17 lakh — niche but unbeatable mileage.

Expect a ₹2.5–3 lakh difference between top-trim 4th and 5th gen CVTs in the used market.

Which Used Model Should You Buy in 2025?

If you’re leaning towards the used Honda City 4th vs 5th gen question, here’s the real-world breakdown.

• Pick the 4th Gen if you’re working with a tighter budget and can find a clean, low-mileage petrol CVT. It’s also the more forgiving option if you often deal with bad roads, thanks to slightly better ground clearance.
• Pick the 5th Gen if you want a fresher design, modern interiors, a stronger safety package, and don’t mind paying a bit more. In the long run, it will hold value better and give you fewer surprises.

Summary

The used Honda City 4th vs 5th gen decision is not about which car is good or bad: both are solid sedans. It really comes down to what you prioritise.

A used Honda City 4th Gen makes sense if you’re focused on value and manage to get a lightly driven car at the right price. On the other hand, a used Honda City 5th Gen feels worth the premium if you want a sedan that’s modern inside and out, with added peace of mind for the years ahead.

For most buyers in 2025, stretching for the 5th gen ZX CVT is the smarter choice. But if you find a well-kept 4th gen, it still has what it takes to be a dependable daily ride.