2021 Honda City hatchback to replace Jazz in Australia?

Honda has revealed the new City hatchback to supersede the Jazz in some South-East Asian markets, but could it make its way to Australian showrooms as the latest rival to the Toyota Yaris and Mazda2?

Not according to an official Honda Australia spokesperson, who told CarsGuide the current sixth-generation version that launched in 2014 will be the final iteration of the nameplate locally.

“We announced in late 2019 that the current City will be the last generation and we would not be bringing the next-generation City to Australia,” they said.

“The final shipment of current-generation City models arrived in June and only a handful of new or demonstrator cars remain in dealer stock nationally.”

Based on the seventh-generation City that was revealed this time last year, the five-door version looks identical to its sedan sibling from the C-pillars forward, but obviously adopts a new rear end.

Differentiating itself from the Jazz as well, the City hatchback features a sharper front fascia with a grille that blends into the angular headlight, while the derriere also appears a little sportier thanks to a spoiler and black plastic-like diffuser – at least in RS trim.

Under the bonnet, the new City hatchback shares its sedan’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine, which outputs 90kW/173NM to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), in the Thai market.

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The new City sedan is also available with two 1.5-litre engines (one naturally aspirated, the other with an electric hybrid set-up) in the Philippines, but it is unclear if the hatchback will nab these powertrains.

In the Thai market, the City hatchback is available in three flavours – the base S+, mid-tier SV and top-spec RS – which are priced between $A26,582 and $A33,577.

Honda Australia’s decision to pull out of the light-car market with the discontinuation of the Jazz was announced earlier this year when the brand introduced plans to pivot to an agency sales model, while the brand announced it was axing the City nearly 12 months ago.

Under the new plan, Honda Australia will own all vehicle stock and introduce fixed pricing for all its cars, while the dealer network will be slimmed down and used as ‘agents’ to prepare and service vehicles.

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Only the Civic, C-RV, H-RV, Accord and Odyssey will continue from mid-2021.

It is understood there are only a handful of new City cars available across Australia, which are expected to sell soon