ಹೋಂಡಾ ನಗರ : The Indian Legend

Every country, every place on our planet has a legend associated with it. However, For Indian automotive industry, the sedan segment has always been one of the major points of focus for buyers, and there is no denying of the fact that "Honda city" is the reigning champion of this particular segment for a very long time. The detailed, sharp body lines, the aerodynamic exquisiteness, the plush interiors, the roomy cabin, the smooth and powerful 1.5 L petrol engine with ready to exploit 119 PS and 145 NM of torque are few of its unique characteristics which will leave an everlasting grin on your face every time you drive. Not to mention the head-turning metallic colors and full front and rear chrome grills reflect the real masculine effect of the car along with the sense of simplicity. Let's start with the in-depth Review of the Car Exteriors: I gave preference to "Golden Brown Metallic" color which nicely blends and enhances the overall look and appeal of the car. The wrap around tail lamps are just fantastic and give an amazing look with the rear license chrome garnish. The shark fin antenna and power folding ORVM with turn indicators not only enhance the look but also exhibit functionality. Many people complain about the skinny 15 inches 175/65 tyres but to my surprise, they offer plenty of grip and stability in the corners and give the car a relaxed roll while cruising on the highway. Another major highlight is the beautifully sculpted 5 spoke alloy wheels. The chrome front grill and headlamps are well integrated with each other. The headlamps provide brilliant beam output and excellent field of view which inspires, even more, confidence while driving at the night. Interiors : The strongest force of the new generation City is the spacious cabin, premium interiors in its segment and an excellent multi-information combination meter with three dials (Speed, Revs, and Trip) to assist with ample information which looks stunning with the changing colors depending on the speed at which you are driving. Distance to the empty and instantaneous mileage of the vehicle are some of the handy features offered. The driver seat is height adjustable and the presence of charging port aux make your life easy. A significant improvement over the previous generations is clearly visible with the 5 inches screen with integrated advanced audio for entertainment which also doubles as the rear parking camera of the car. Pretty useful, ain't it?? The Automatic AC with touchscreen panel give such a modern look to the overall cabin and completely compliments to the premium dashboard. Also provided are the rear AC vents with the charging ports for the convenience of fellow travelers. The back seat is the place where the city takes you to whole another level. The sheer amount of leg room, height and width makes you think twice to compare it with a business class seat. The 4440 mm of length and 1695 mm in width and 1495 mm of height actually give the city and upper edge regarding style and provides so much room be it if you are relaxing at the back or driving the car yourself.The armrest along with cup holders add further utility in the cabin, and the all leather seat covers provide unmatched comfort and adequate thigh support for those long journeys.There are multiple service points provided in the cabin such as all doors get 1-liter bottle holders. The glove box is deep and has enough space to accommodate those small cans and bottles. Performance: The city has always boasted about its powerful motor since it's inception. This new generation city is powered by 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine mated with five gear manual transmission which has a blistering power of 119 PS. The engine is silky smooth while cruising and had ready to exploit power available whenever required. All this with a real world impressive mileage of 12-13 Kmpl in the city and over 16 Kmpl on highways. The 40 litres fuel tank is enough to get those long distances covered without having frequent visits to fuel stations. Safety and other features: The new generation City is a place where you can feel safe. The dual front airbags cover that very well. The brakes have a good bit around the corners, and the Impact mitigating headrests ensure that you won't ever get yourself hurt in case of an accident. The stable ACE body structure acts as the foundation of an extremely durable package which is further complimented with ABS and EBD. The feature list seems to be unending right?? You get that superb sound with those strategically located four tweeters. The front fog lamps provide excellent assistance in those adverse weather conditions. The chrome outer door handles add up, even more, in the overall appeal of the car. Service: The services one of those aspects which are often neglected by many other brands, and we have seen their downfall. But on the contrary, Honda has managed to establish an excellent service network for its fleet of cars and city being one of the major player dominating the market with its presence. The service costs are minimal, and even the spare parts are priced adequately when compared to other brands in the market. The availability of parts and quick service also contributes to the overall success of this legend. Hence, forget about skyrocketing ownership/service/parts costs. To sum up, my review, the new generation city with probably all the possible feature list with supreme comfort, style, aesthetics and its legacy are enough to signify the actual king of the sedans. Not to mention the sweet spot of pricing is just icing on the cake. If you are out in the market looking for a vehicle with a budget of 10-12 lakhs, I can assure you no other car could ever provide you such satisfaction and pride of ownership of this legend.