2011 Honda City Review
Price
from: RM83,087
to: RM87,983
Installment
from: RM792/mth
to: RM839/mth
2011 Honda City at a glance
Stylish on the outside and well-built on the inside, the 2011 Honda City brings style that it sorely lacked in the past, but maintains the quality it was known for. The ride-and-handling outclass what rivals offer, too.
2011 Honda City quick specs
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Class | Small Family |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2011 Honda City ratings (overall rating : 4.5/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
As much as the previous Honda City was a practical car with an accomplished drivetrain, it was so low on style that we are sure a proportion of interested buyers are forced to look away. Style sells, and Honda seems to understand that—now. The Honda City was designed in “Arrow Shot” form, meaning that the City would appear to be going forward even when sitting still. There is some truth to that claim from certain angles. Sharp head- and tail-lamps, plus a Transformer-like grille are incorporated to bring out an arrow-like profile.
Handling
The 2011 Honda City has the best-sorted ride-and-handling compared to key rivals. While the previous Honda City felt tall and narrow, it now drives sportily, thanks to the taut chassis, good grip levels and well-controlled body movements. The improved steering also feels much more fluid than before. In fact, the steering provides almost as much feel as the sporty Suzuki SX4's, though the 2011 Honda City has more grip and less body roll through corners.
Comfort
Despite being on the firm side over rough surfaces, the ride is pliant enough for comfortable progress over most Malaysian roads. The engine sounds raucous when extended, but overall the 2011 Honda City's cabin refinement is still marginally better than key rivals'. Drivers get tilt/telescopic steering column and seat-height adjustments. Front seats supportive, and the rear seats are much plusher than before too. The simple dash layout and thought-out ergonomics ensure everything feels intuitive to use.
Quality + Reliability
The 2011 Honda City may be the least expensive Honda model, but its cabin quality is of a high standard we are used to from Honda. The fit-and-finish are as good as they come at this price level, while controls including the column stalks feel tactile. A combination of hard and soft-touch plastics are in use, which is perfectly within expectations. This is a Honda, and we expect any car with the Honda badge to be extremely reliable.
Performance
With 118 bhp at 6600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4800 rpm, the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine has the most power compared to key rivals. And crucially the 2011 Honda City is the only one with a five-speed automatic. The accomplished drivetrain is quick, punchy and flexible, and the paddle shifts (Grade E only) lends an extra dimension of control. However, the revvy nature and smoothness of previous Honda City drivetrains are surprisingly lacking.
Roominess
The Honda City's wheelbase has been increased by 100 mm over its predecessor's, and that translates into more rear legroom. Rear headroom is ample too, while front room is expectedly generous. The boot is also larger than before, now boasting 506 litres of loading space. Cabin storage compartments are everywhere, but the Ultra Seats, which gave the previous Honda City much versatility, have been sacrificed for plusher rear seats. Grade S gets fixed rear seats, but Grade E gets 60:40 split-fold rear seats that also recline.
Running Costs
The 2011 Honda City is one of the cheapest to run by class standards. The credit belongs to the highly efficient drivetrain, the reasonable servicing and repair costs, and the class-leading resale values achievable only by Honda models.
Value for Money
Honda clearly placed function over style the last time round. But the Honda City no longer has that problem as it is easily the most radical looking in the small-size sedan segment. Compared to the Suzuki SX4 and Toyota Vios, the 2011 Honda City provides the best package, leading with its stylish exterior, quality interior and fine ride-and-handling. But losing the sweet i-DSI engine, CVT gearbox and Ultra Seats that gave the Honda City its identity seems like a questionable move to us. Even so, the 2011 Honda City remains our pick of the segment.
Equipment
Grade S comes with 15" alloy wheels, reverse sensors, 4-speaker audio system with USB/AUX inputs, power door mirrors, dual front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and front seatbelt pretensioner. Grade E adds plenty of goodies, including fog lights, retractable door mirrors with turn light, 16" alloy wheels, paddle shifts, leather gear knob, leather steering wheel with audio controls, two additional speakers and adjustable rear headrests among others.
Environment
The 1.5-litre engine is more efficient and less polluting to run than engines of comparable capacity. And the extra gear ratio over rivals' four-speed automatic serves to improve both fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The 2011 Honda City is therefore one of the “greenest” in the class.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Stylish exterior
Quality interior
Fine ride-and-handling
Slightly firm ride
Raucous engine note at high revs
No more Ultra Seats
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