Yes, the Honda City Hatchback has arrived on our shores. Surprised? Well, you shouldn’t be, if we’re being honest—this vehicle’s local launch has been widely speculated since rumors began surfacing that Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) was doing away with the Jazz, and here we are.
Excited? We know we are. Yes, this is just a mass-market hatchback, but it’s a mass-market hatchback. We just don’t get many of that type of vehicle around these parts—at least not ones featuring the same level of name recall as the Honda City. Let’s take a look at what we have here, then.
Variants and prices
To be frank, there really isn’t much to take in here in this department. The Philippines is only getting one option: The Honda City Hatchback 1.5 RS CVT. This one comes packing a 1.5-liter gasoline engine (more on this in a bit), and will be available with a P1,115,000 price tag (exclusive of P13,000 safeguard duty deposit).
That figure is P57,000 more than the corresponding City equipped with a trunk, but if you want a hatch, the extra cost should be worth it.
Exterior
The front isn’t anything new, which is a good thing considering the sedan version features a pretty handsome face already. From this angle, you’re looking at angry full LED headlights with daytime running lights, and a mesh grille design with a bold, black crossbar. The hatch runs on two-tone Berlina Black aluminum alloys, too.
Obviously, the back gets the major makeover here. There’s a hatch instead of a trunk, and you’ll also find a subtle rear spoiler, a shark-fin antenna, and red ‘RS’ badging to match the one on the grille up front. The taillights are slightly sharper, too, and the rear bumper gets a more sculpted appearance.
The new aesthetic is considerably sportier than what the sedan gets, we think. But hey, you’re either into hatchbacks or you aren’t. The available exterior colors are Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl (additional P20,000). HCPI says a Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic finish will be available by June 2021.
Interior
Inside, the overall feel is largely the same as the sedan’s cabin. You have a dark and stealthy vibe to go along with a minimalist layout, and fans of tactile buttons and dials as well as good ergonomics will have very little to complain about. Honda has made abundant use of piano-black plastic here, too—something to consider if you aren’t a fan of its application.
A good amount of red contrast stitching has been added to the package to complement the vehicle’s ‘RS’ packaging, and components like the A/C controls and the instrument cluster get nice red lighting as well. The leather-suede seats up front feature an attractive two-tone red and black appearance, while the rear features a drop-down armrest with a pair of cupholders.
Engine and specs
The lone Honda City Hatchback variant, the 1.5 RS CVT, is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 119hp at 6,600rpm and up to 145Nm of torque at 4,300rpm (the same as the sedan).
The mill comes mated to a continuously variable transmission, and it gets paddle shifters, too, if you’re looking for a little extra engagement during drives. An Eco mode is available in case you want to prioritize efficiency over speed.
As for the suspension, you’re looking at MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. Stopping duties, meanwhile, are handled by front ventilated discs and rear drums.
Extra features
Entertainment is managed through an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. This is paired with an eight-speaker sound setup. You’ll also find a small information screen that displays pertinent vehicle data in the middle of the instrument cluster .
The A/C system is automatic and, as we mentioned earlier, is controlled via tactile dials and buttons. Push-to-start ignition is present, as are power windows and speed-sensing door locks. Those of you who are very particular with their driving posture will be glad to know the steering setup features both tilt and telescopic adjustment, though the front seats only come with manual repositioning.
Other features worth noting? Steering wheel controls and cruise control are here, and the rearview camera features dynamic guidelines. All units also come equipped with front driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags.
So, hatch or sedan? If you ask us, we’re picking the former. Do you think the Honda City Hatchback is a good replacement for the discontinued Jazz? Check out more photos below, and let us know what you think of the overall package in the comments. For more City Hatch content, you can read our Launch Pad feature by clicking here.
Photos of the Honda City Hatchback
