Honda City 2014 News

Honda Australia has issued a recall notice to replace faulty Takata airbag inflators in a batch of 25,282 of its vehicles, which had already been recalled to rectify the same issue.

Honda Australia is working around the clock to replace 600,000 potentially faulty airbags.

Honda Accord finally achieves maximum five-star safety rating along with Nissan X-Trail, Honda City, Toyota Prius C and upcoming Peugeot 308.Honda have overcome the shock of last year's four-star safety rating for the Accord sedan, with recent structural tweaks helping it to earn the full five stars from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).When the 9th generation Accord appeared in May 2013, ANCAP deemed its frontal offset test performance unsatisfactory for a five-star rating, scoring 11.21 out of a possible 16 .Honda has since implemented changes to the frontal structure of the Accord in August 2014 which has raised its score in the frontal offset test to 14.79 in this round testing, pushing it over the line for a maximum five-star rating."This is a great example of a non-regulatory program at work," ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said."Honda has reviewed the ANCAP test results and actively implemented changes to offer consumers a safer car."The same praise was not lavished on the X-Trail mid-size SUV however, with ANCAP critical of Nissan's omission of the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) from Australian-spec models. Despite this the SUV still gained a five star safety rating.ANCAP was similarly critical of the Qashqai small SUV's AEB omission when it was tested earlier this year.Like the Qashqai, AEB is available on European-spec X-Trails, along with several other models on the Australian market. It can prevent collisions by detecting stationary objects and applying braking force before the driver reacts.For the Honda City and Toyota Prius C, all model variants have been given the maximum five stars by ANCAP. Only diesel versions of the new Peugeot 308 have been awarded five stars, leaving petrol versions unrated.

Honda’s new City sedan is the second-generation to reach our shores, and the new model boasts a new body with improved interior packaging, the latest in Honda smartphone integration technology, and a more efficient revised drivetrain with the availability of a new CVT auto.DESIGNEffectively a sedan version of the third-generation Jazz hatch due in July, the new model is 45mm longer overall, with a 50mm longer wheelbase that has helped to add 60mm in rear legroom along with headroom and shoulder room gains.The previous model’s surprisingly huge 506-litre boot has also been stretched to a Ford Falcon-beating 536-litres VDA, creating room for four large golf bags according to Honda. The back seat folds 60/40, but the seat base continues to be fixed and there’s a spacesaver spare wheel under the boot floor.RANGE/VALUEThe new City is available in the same VTi and VTi-L trim levels as its predecessor, but the $15,990 entry manual VTi and $17,990 VTi automatic have dropped by $500. The auto-only VTi-L’s $21,390 list price has risen by $900.The City is second only to the new Odyssey people mover to offer Display Audio, with Honda’s touchscreen interface for Bluetooth audio and phone functions standard on all City variants. When connected to an iPhone 5 via an HDMI cable, the system can mirror the iPhone’s display along with swipe and scroll interactivity.A number of third-party apps can also be mirrored, including the $49.99 HondaLink satnav app that can be downloaded from iTunes – enabling three years of satnav coverage.The Display Audio system uses a seven inch touchscreen display on both variants, and includes a three-view (normal, wide and birds-eye) reversing camera on all variants. Rear parking sensors are optional though, and cost $495 fitted.Along with Display Audio, VTi models come equipped with cruise control, multifunction steering wheel, four speaker audio, rake and reach steering wheel adjustment, eight cupholders and 15 inch steel wheels with wheel covers.The VTi-L adds a leather wheel and gearknob, climate control, paddle shifters, push-button start, eight speaker audio, and extra pair of 12V outlets for the back seat, front foglights and 16 inch alloy wheels.ENGINE/TRANSMISSIONThe new City sees the return of a CVT auto to Honda’s mainstream light car lineup, with only the Hybrid version of the existing Jazz using the efficiency-boosting auto design.  The rest of the auto Jazz and City lineups have used a five speed torque converter unit after the CVT in the (2002-08) first-generation Jazz lineup, and the new third-generation Jazz will also use the CVT for auto variants when it arrives in July.The new CVT has helped fuel consumption drop to 5.7L/100km (from 6.6L/100km) for automatic variants, while the five speed manual available in the price-leading VTi is rated at 5.8L/100km (down from 6.3L/100km) combined, despite packing one fewer ratio than some rivals.Also contributing to the lower consumption figures is the attention paid to internal friction and rotational mass reduction for the City’s 1.5-litre petrol four. Outputs remain at the same 88kW/145Nm as previously, but max torque now arrives 200rpm earlier at 4600rpm.SAFETYBoth VTi and VTi-L come with front, side and full-length curtain airbags, plus ABS, EBD, brake-assist, plus stability and traction control. Honda says the new City has been designed to achieve the five star safety rating of its forebear, and will be tested by ANCAP in the coming months.

On sale next month, the City is the four-door sibling of the Jazz hatchback, another urban friendly car noted for its capaciousness. That’s due for replacement midyear.While Honda is coy about price tags, intense competition in the price-conscious end of the market demands that the City stays in the $16,000 realm for the entry VTi with upper specification VTi-L coming in under $20K.The exterior styling is beefed up, with a sharper, less-rounded nose and shoulder line following the cues of the recently-released Odyssey. The sedan sits on a new platform it will share with the Jazz and while it hasn’t grown in overall length, its wheelbase has -- and that means more cabin space.Never in a hurry to embrace new engine technology, Honda has retained the adequate 88kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but mated it with a new continuously variable transmission. That helps the City to a fuel economy claim of 5.7 litres per 100km, almost a litre better than the outgoing automatic. But the entry model keeps the old five-speed manual.Honda director Stephen Collins can at least point to “loads of standard features such as Display Audio and reversing camera, it represents excellent value for money”. The City has top-of-the-class cargo capacity, boot space growing from 506 to 536 litres, which would be generous for a Commodore or Falcon sedan. Its features list is upgraded to include the brand’s new infotainment system that mimics smartphone functionality, offering satnav, iPhone Siri Eyes free function and selected third party apps as well as Bluetooth phone and music streaming.The City plays second-fiddle to the Jazz in the hatchback-centric light-car segment, this year selling 679 units to the Jazz’s 5726. By comparison Toyota’s Yaris sold 14,437 and the Mazda2 retailed 15,167. 

Honda has confirmed that the second-generation of its Civic light sedan will arrive locally in April.Based on the also-upcoming third-generation Jazz light hatch, the new City expands on the already-spacious current model with improved headroom, legroom and shoulder room for the five seating positions.The current model’s cavernous 506-litre boot capacity has also grown to 536-litres – more than some large sedans and a side effect of the City’s Jazz van origins.Powered by a tweaked version of the current 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, the new City delivers the same 88kW as the current model, but consumes 1.1L/100km less on the combined cycle with a new official figure of 5.7L/100km.Much of the efficiency gain can be attributed to the use of a new CVT automatic transmission, replacing the existing five-speed torque converter unit.Continuing with the same two-grade model lineup, Honda Australia is yet to confirm whether the City will use the current model’s VTi and VTi-L designations, but will follow the new Odyssey people mover as the second Australian model to use Honda’s new Display Audio multimedia interface.Display Audio features Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity for Android and Apple devices, and can integrate with selected iPhone 5 and above apps including Honda satellite navigation.“The Honda City is a cut above its competition and with new styling, loads of standard features such as Display Audio and reversing camera, it represents excellent value for money,” Honda Australia Director Mr. Stephen Collins says.Honda will confirm full specifications and pricing closer to the City’s April arrival, but is not expected to shift far from the current model’s $16,490-$20,490 range.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSHonda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mitsubishi Attrage: Mitsubishi is expected to add the Attrage compact four door – effectively a Mirage sedan – to its local lineup in the second half of 2014, to go head to head with other compact sedans like the Holden Barina sedan, Honda City, and Nissan Almera.(Approximately $15,000)Proton GSC: In Q3, Proton will bring its Volkswagen Up-rivalling GSC (Global Small Car) to Australia just months after its upcoming global debut. Previewed by the Proton Emas concepts that have been doing the rounds since 2010, the production model’s name is yet to be confirmed, and will likely arrive with a price under $13,000. (Approximately $12,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. (Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSProton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)  

Honda chose India to take the wraps of the new City sedan that will go on sale around the world in 2014, arriving in Australia towards the second half of the year. The debut location reflects that the Jazz-with-a-boot is far more popular in overseas markets than here, where it's failed so far to excite Australian buyers, luring only 588 of them so far this year against the Jazz hatch's 5147. Following on from the new Jazz, the front-wheel drive City has grown in length and rides on a longer wheelbase, offering 510 litres of boot capacity and rear legroom has been increased by 60 mm, tandem distance between the front and rear occupant has been increased by 60 mm while knee room for rear occupants is now 70 mm longer. Our colleagues at Livelifedrive in Malaysia who attended the launch say Honda is promising class-leading cabin space with rear legroom growing by 60mm and rear knee room by 70mm. Overseas markets will get the choice of the City's first diesel -- a 75kW/200Nm 1.5-litre -- but we're likely to see only the revised carryover 1.5-litre petrol unit, with unchanged 88kW/145Nm outputs. Honda will confirm full specification and pricing closer to the City's Australian launch, but with the little sedan being a slow sales shifter it's unlikely the prices will move much from the current $16,490 entry for the five-speed manual VTi version, and $2000 and $4000 more for the auto Vti and top-spec auto VTi-L respectively. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

The Honda City is a relative newcomer to Australia – having been launched here in February this year – but is well-known overseas. It first appeared there in 1996, and since then has sold more than a million units in 39 countries around the world; a success rate that Honda hopes will be repeated in the Australian market.  In our market, the little sedan aims to bridge the gap left by not having a hatch in the popular Civic range except for the hot Type R. Drivetrains We tested both variants available here; the five-speed automatic VTi and the five-speed manual VTi-L, both of which are powered by a single overhead cam i-VTEC, in-line four-cylinder engine that develops 88kW of power at 6600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4800rpm. Combined fuel consumption and emissions figures are the same again for both vehicles at 6.3l/100kms and 148g/km CO2 for the manual and 6.6l/100km and CO2 156g/km for the auto. Exterior The Thailand-built City sits on a stretched version of the Honda Jazz platform, gaining 50mm at the wheelbase and allowing for a sizeable boot capacity of 500 litres.  The car has been given the family’s `arrowshot’ face, with a strongly defined grille design set off by slim-line headlights.The City is a smart-looking sporty number with a gently tapering slope up from the nose to the B-pillar and a short, squared-off rump that owes its styling to Honda sedan DNA, but is also a shape that is useful and becoming more common as compact sedans grow in popularity.  The only real difference between the two City variants is that the VTi-L weighs 15kg more, has slightly bigger wheels and has chrome-plated door handles and exhausts. Interior The City comes with most of the cabin features you’d expect from a new small Honda these days. Air conditioning, power windows, cruise control a multi-information display and plenty of compartments for storage – including seven cup holders, are all standard. The front seats are fully reclinable and the rear seats split 60/40 and you also get a leather wrapped steering wheel and premium cloth trim in the VTi-L. Safety As well as a comprehensive air bag package, the City offers advanced compatibility engineering, anti-lock brakes, central locking, electronic brakeforce distribution and Honda’s G-con technology. Pricing Pricing for the Honda City starts at $20,490 for the VTi manual and tops out at $25,685 for the VTi-L automatic with metallic paint. Driving Wigley says The Honda City does an adequate job for what it is but we haven’t rushed out to tell our friends about it yet. It feels more substantial than its slightly slimmer brother the Jazz, but at least the quirkiness of the Jazz gives it a small amount of X-factor. The City just doesn’t have much to crow about.  It’s airy inside and has enough head and leg room, and the higher level trim pack with leather wheel and gear knob adds a bit more comfort. Cornering quickly was hairy at times as it doesn’t feel like they got weight distribution down pat given the substantial body roll. But vision is great all around the car, and the engine, although not a beast, does give you enough grunt to push past a lane hogging truck, or merge quickly, if the need arises. Stop-start city driving - as you’d hope given the name of the car – is easy and the steering is light. Obviously the manual is more of a pain than the automatic in a bumper to bumper situation but that extra control makes it easily the best choice when you have a bit more room. The City is a capable, well built car and there’s no real complaints about the way it drives, but there’s nothing about it that gets you searching for excuses to grab the keys and head out. Verdict: 7/10Pincott says Before it arrived, we were thinking of the City as being a ‘Jazz with a boot’ but it’s a bit more than that.   There’s no doubt the boot space – in a car this size – is very useful, and while you’re not going to be carting wardrobes home in it, there’s enough capacity to accommodate most average family loads. But there’s a surprising amount of room inside the car as well, with head and legroom enough for reasonably tall people.  The interior is comfortable, well-styled and a little more elegant (or a little less funky, depending on your age and attitude) than the Jazz. And apart from a couple of stretches of cheap-looking plastic on the dash and doors, the finish is good quality. The visibility in the front row is great, helped by the higher seating position that accommodates the fuel tank under the front seats.  Both the manual and automatic transmissions are easy to use, but for crowded town driving we’ll happily go for the auto’s set-and-forget. The light steering was great around town, but lacked feedback in anything above urban speeds or twistier than a sedate city corner.  But let’s be honest, it’s close to pointless to look for track ability in a car like this. City by name, city by nature, and well-suited to that job. Verdict: 7.8/10 in town, 5.5/10 on the highway.