I have had the opportunity to spend a month with the media car of Honda City 5th generation in its petrol manual transmission avatar. During this time, I have driven this car around 500 Kms in a mixed use (40% city drive and 60% highways). In this concise writeup, I share my impressions of the car in the form of a pros and cons list, which tells about what I liked about it and what could have been better on the Honda City. This will help you make up your mind on whether in this day and age of SUV domination, does this timeless sedan make sense for you or not?
The Honda City has been a well-known name in the sedan segment for decades. The 5th-generation Honda City, launched in India in 2020, continues to uphold the brand’s reputation with its sleek design, premium features, and reliable performance. While the automatic variant has gained popularity, the manual transmission model remains a favorite among driving enthusiasts. If you’re considering the 5th-generation Honda City with a manual gearbox, here are its key pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Also Read- Honda Elevate Signature Black Edition Detailed on Tape
Pros of the 5th Generation Honda City Manual
1. Engaging Driving Experience
One of the biggest advantages of choosing the manual variant is the engaging driving experience. The 6-speed manual gearbox offers precise shifts, giving drivers complete control over the power delivery. This makes driving more enjoyable, especially for enthusiasts who love the feel of a traditional manual transmission.
2. Better Performance Control
The manual transmission allows drivers to extract the best performance from the 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine, which produces 121 PS of power and 145 Nm of torque. With the ability to shift gears manually, drivers can optimize power output according to driving conditions, whether for city commutes or highway cruising.
3. Improved Fuel Efficiency
Compared to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) variant, the manual transmission version often delivers slightly better fuel efficiency when driven efficiently. In our experience of around 500 Km, we got a highway mileage of close to 20 KMPL, city mileage of close to 14 KMPL and a mixed mileage of around 16.5 KMPL, which is nothing short of impressive for car of this size and performance.
4. Lower Initial Cost
The manual variant of the 5th-generation Honda City is more affordable than its automatic counterpart and many competing sedans of other car makers. The lower price tag makes it an attractive choice for buyers looking for a budget-friendly yet premium sedan.
5. Lower Maintenance Costs
Manual transmissions generally have fewer components than automatic ones, making them less prone to expensive repairs. Honda Cars in India are popular for their reliability and ease of maintenance. Being an ex-owner myself (of City Diesel 4th Gen, which I had to sell because of 10 years NCR rule for diesel cars), I can vouch for frugal maintenance of Honda cars.
6. Comfort & Features
Honda City comes with level 2 ADAS right from the V variant (and above) which adds a lot of active safety to the car. Especially the adaptive cruie control is a boon on highways wherein it adds a lot of convenience. Along with that, it is quite comfortable in terms of space and convenience. The boot space is also ample for a long weekend getaway trip for a small family of 4 to 5.
Also Read- Top 5 Safest Sedans in India – Maruti Dzire to Honda City
Cons of the 5th Generation Honda City Manual
1. More Effort in Heavy Traffic
Driving a manual car in bumper-to-bumper traffic can be tiring due to constant gear shifting and clutch operation. In cities with heavy traffic congestion, the CVT automatic variant offers a more convenient and effortless driving experience. But that added connivance of CVT comes at an additional price Rs. 1.25 Lakhs (ex-showroom) over the MT. But on the plus side, the drivability of the City in manual is also pretty good for slow moving traffic. The car does not stall at lower RPMs of as low as 800 and picks up smoothly (but not enthusiastically) on a throttle input. This results in less need of gear shifts in urban driving conditions. Also, the engine is quite happy revving, hence delayed gearshifts don’t make you feel that the engine is strained. But given a choice, for congested traffic, CVT makes much more sense.
2. Ground Clearance
Although the City is a great car for good roads, it does make you nervous if you have to deal with broken roads, steep speed bumps (these bumps are mostly found on village roads when you go outside urban environments and are not properly and legally constructed). Besides a very good suspensions and ample ground clearance of 165 mm, on a full load of 4 to 5 passengers with luggage, the car feels a bit low slung for bad roads, which is why many car buyers are moving away from sedan segment altogether. If you don’t deal with such terrains, it should not bother you at all.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Honda City Manual?
If you enjoy a connected and engaging driving experience, the 5th-generation Honda City manual is an excellent choice. It offers great control, is affordable, and has an impressive fuel efficiency for a car of this size and performance. However, if you often drive in heavy traffic and prioritize convenience, the CVT automatic variant may be a better fit, but that will cost you approx. Rs. 1.4 lakh more (on road). Ultimately, the choice between manual and automatic depends on your driving habits and preferences. If you love driving and want a more affordable option, the manual variant is worth considering.
The bigger question is whether you love sedans enough to not go with the SUVs trend and opt for a City. I personally love the driving feel of sedans over SUVs because of the space, comfort, better ride, better handling and fuel economy. If you too are a sedan fan, do share this review with your friends.
