2009 Honda City Review & Road Test
March 6, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 Honda City VTi Review & Road Test
The next BIG thing in family motoring?
Model Tested:
- 2009 Honda City VTi, 1.5-litre, five-speed manual, sedan – $20,490 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint $325
Excellent fuel economy; roomy cabin & boot; smooth & quiet drive
No ESP; driver’s seat height; pricing questionably high
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
Once upon a time, not all that long ago, the average family car was a much smaller affair – case in point the 1964 EH Holden sedan.
At only 116mm longer and 32mm wider than the new Honda City the arithmetic proves just how much the family car has since ballooned, and that what we now consider a small sedan, in reality, isn’t.
While it seems bigger is better to most people, quite often the exterior dimensions of a vehicle only tell part of the tale, and it’s this perception of ’size equals space’ that the new Honda City has turned on its head.
Though it is a reasonably compact affair, the City is one small car that shows rather obviously just how much space can be availed with some intelligent design work.
Surprisingly it is this inner-space that proves remarkably generous, especially in terms of boot capacity and rear leg room which are 10 litres (506/496 litres) and 97mm (1064/972mm) greater than Commodore and Camry respectively.
Styling wise the City looks much like its bigger brother the Accord Euro at first glance, though being based upon Jazz underpinings, the smaller outward scale of the car is certainly evident.
Inside the layout is simple, but rather stylish, with a mix of textures, forms and tone all contributing greatly to a decor that appears more elegant than the price tag would have you believe.
Layout and switchgear are both simplistic and easy to understand and in typical Honda style the City boasts a user-friendliness that is second to none.
Perhaps my only gripe with the cabin as a whole is that the driver’s seat position is unusually high. The risers in the floor on which the seat is mounted, a left-over from the more upright Jazz, counter the more raked windscreen with the resulting headroom being a little tighter than is preferable, something the seat adjustment can’t quite seem to counter.
All the same the seating is very comfortable and reasonably supportive. The legroom is quite generous, especially in the rear, and the ambiance quiet on all but the most coarse of roads, a pleasant surprise in a category not usually renowned for its on-road refinement.
Under the large bonnet a small yet capable 1.5-litre, SOHC, 16-valve, i-VTEC, four-cylinder engine manages 88kW at 6600rpm and 145Nm at 4800rpm to provide spirited performance in all but the most trying of situations.
Zero to 100km/h times come in just under the 12 second mark and unless the car is heavily loaded, say with four adults and a boot full of luggage, big hills are of little consequence to City’s performance proving just how well matched the torque curve is to the smooth shifting five-speed gearbox.
Freeway revs come in at just a whisker under 3000rpm at 100km/h, which combined with drive-by-wire throttle and programmed fuel injection mean excellent fuel consumption.
Around town our week managed 7.9-litres per 100km while on the open road mid-fives were easily achievable. In all seven days in the City returned an average consumption figure of 6.7-litres per 100km, which is just under half a litre more than the claimed ADR result.
Although initial turn-in is a little slow, the chassis reacts well thereafter meaning cornering is both fluid and settled. Handling as a result is well above average for a car of this class and size, and is actually somewhat surprising once you gain a feel for the car, especially so given the dated torsion beam rear-end, there is a strut arrangement at the front.
The electric power steering too provides a true, albeit rather light, feel to the front wheels, though the urethane steering wheel is a bit of a let down being a touch unpleasant of long trips and hot days.
With air-conditioning, cloth trim, cruise control, MP3 compatible CD/tuner (with iPod integration), power mirrors and windows, remote central locking (with alarm and immobiliser), seven cup holders, rear under-seat storage, tilt-adjustable steering column and trip computer the City certainly does present a lot of kit in base model form.
Safety features include dual front, side and full length curtain airbags, ABS, EBA and EBD meaning the City is certain to perform well once ANCAP testing is carried out – though perhaps not as well as it should given the lack of Electronic Stability Program (ESP) anywhere in the model range.
As touched on earlier the boot space is TARDIS-like at 506 litres, and with 60:40 split fold rear seats the additional area is quite welcomed when hauling odd shaped items, even if the aperture is a little on the tight side.
While the pricing may be just a touch on the heavy side, the practicality, purpose and presentation of the all-new City remain unchallenged in this category which all adds up to a very good argument for considering the City as your next family car.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go: 
Pricing:
- Honda City VTi $20,490 (Manual) / $22,790 (Auto)
- Honda City VTi-L $22,990 (Manual) / $25,290 (Auto)
Specifications:
- Engine: 1497cc SOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
- Power: 88kW @ 6600rpm
- Torque: 145Nm @ 4800rpm
- Induction: Multi-point
- Transmission: Five-speed manual
- Driven Wheels: Front
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 175km/h
- 0-100km/h: 11.8 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 148g/km (combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 6.3 litres per 100km (ADR)
- Fuel Consumption: 6.7 litres per 100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 42 litres
- Fuel Type: 91RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: TBC
- Airbags: Dual Front, Side & Curtain
- Safety: ABS, EBA & EBD
- Spare Wheel: Full-size steel
- Suspension: Strut (F) / Torsion Beam (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 506 litres
- Tow Capacity: 800kg (braked)
- Turning Circle: 10.0 metres
- Warranty: Three year/100,000km
- Weight: 1110kg (tare)
- Wheels: Steel 15 x 5.5-inch
Road Test the Rivals:
- Holden Barina Sedan (from $16,290)
- Hyundai Accent Sedan (from $16,990)
- KIA Rio Sedan (from $16,840)
- Proton Persona Sedan (from $16,990)
- Toyota Yaris Sedan (from $19,040)
Print it: 
For all those who take interest in KIA.
Salesman maybe interested in this. I drove a SOUL today… Very interesting car & looks are even more interesting. I drove the diesel one 5 spd manual. Car goes ok, very economical.. Interior is a very big improvement over previous KIA’s, however the biggest issue I had with the vehicle is the fact that its got no CRUISE CONTROL!!!!
Anyhow, more driving tomorrow – will keep you guys posted.
Cheers
Just wondering what it is that makes everyone say the honda is too pricey? Is it mainly because it doesnt have esc and the 1.5 litre engine? I really love the look of the city and I like that it has curtain airbags as standard, and is pretty roomy compared to some others I am looking at (impreza, mazda 3, tiida, corolla although i think corolla has more room) I’m going back to talk to the dealer and would love to be able to throw a few things at him about why the price is too high! Thanks everyone for all your opinions, I’m really loving these reviews and comments, I’m becoming addicted to researching cars….my husband thinks it is very strange behaviour!!
I agree with many of the comments here it is a little overpriced however when compared to the Kia however don’t think anyone has mentioned resale value.
I’ll eat my hat if the Honda does not have a better resale value than the Kia in fact it might be to the point where it makes the Honda cheaper in the long run (better return when you sell).
Everyone’s different I would be trying to put the badges to one side and drive them (which one feels best) and which one can you see yourself living with everyday!
I test drove the city yesterday. Although it is beautiful to look at, and very spacious considering the size, I did feel that the 1.5 litre engine indeed felt like a 1.5 litre engine, despite the salesman telling me that a honda 1.5 is the same as a normal 1.8L. I found it a very smooth drive, and the steering is extremely light, almost too light. I feel like the lack of traction/stability control is even more disappointing considering that it would be quite easy to oversteer. I have test driven the impreza, corolla, tiida and mazda 3, and I think the city’s engine feels a bit like the tiida’s, which in my opinion is not quite in the same league as the 3, corolla and impreza. I’m testing the lancer tomorrow and at this stage am leaning towards the imprezza, which has everything you could want in safety plus drives like a dream. What do you car enthusiasts think?
Hi,
Potential Honda City buyers: please read the latest review (http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_111112/article.html) of this car and compare it to the mainstream press favourable reviews.
Does anyone still trust mass media car reviews (and maybe even caradvice reviews)?
$20,490 for a stetched jazz? give me a break, the car looks stunning and probably drives just as well as anyother honda. but they need to think seriously about the insane profit margains they make off their thai built cars…
Not good enough.
Excellent Styling, Awesome Comfort and Good Features..
for a sub 30K driveaway car.
Love my manual City Vti-L a lot.
In Pakistan City comes with a 1.3 i-vtec engine and costs $15,000.Build quality is very good and gives more than 20 km/liter.The honda city is worth every penny.Corolla in Pakistan costs $500 more than city and standard version is without power windows ABS and keyless entry.
We’ve just bought a Honda City. Test drove the auto and ordered a manual. The auto was too revy, the manual kicks along quite nice especially when you live in the mountains.
Have owned a Daewoo and my wife a Hyundai and the city is a class above them, but there again Honda make motorbikes and have from year dot so it comes with Honda quality and engineering. We have a family and find that all can fit into it easily (6ft. teenagers included) and the boot space is a gods-end. For 23k onroad including tinted windows and tow bar we are very happy. We couldn’t even get a decent second-hand golf for that price. Servicing also less than half the price of the golf. (Honda gave us a great trade-in ,others were thousands less)
Very nice and cool car!
Worth what you pay!
One word ; OVERPRICED
While this may seem overpriced, I’ve had a Honda City (previous generation) for abt 4 yrs now and there is hardly anything for me to complain (I also have a 1993 & 2008 Honda Accord). Whereas I’ve driven many Kias and Hyundais (parent company of Kia, used to have 51% shares, now owning 38.6% shares), including their more expensive cars (and their latest models as well) and have always felt wanting (probably having driven Hondas regularly). This is from the moment the door is opened (and shut), to the seating arrangement, to the engine noise, the switchgear, ride and handling.
I’m planning to get a car now and considering this City, as its been a much better drive than almost all else in the class (my experience) and truly value for money (from the perspective of quality and reliability). The total cost of ownership (including fuel costs, long term maintenance) of Kia and Hyundai vehicles are definitely a lot higher than that of Hondas (as I regularly check with my friends who own these vehicles).
Truly there is no comparison between Honda and Kia/Hyundai.
This is from my experience of abt 16yrs of using Hondas.
I would truly recommend you drive these vehicles (for some distance) and ask Owners of these cars (Honda and Kia/Hyundai) abt their experiences with these vehicles.
Bin
Overall, 09 City is the best in its class in terms of comfort and design…according to my wife hahaha. Resale value justifies higher acquisition price.
Nolram^
Ya tripping, YOU PAID MORE so in theory it *could* be worth more, but i doubt it.
Just ask all the happy Haonda legend and nsx owners about so-called “resale” bwaaaahhh NOT!
Enjoy your traction-control and stability control on your Thailand built buzz box.
The simple fact is you could have purchased VASTLY SUPERIOR for less
lol
Am gonna buy a the City VTI automatic so is there any advice I can get? especially about it’s stability?