2026 Honda City Facelift Launched In India At 11.99 Lakh
Honda Cars India has launched the facelifted City with an ex-showroom starting price of Rs 11.99 lakh. This is the second facelift to the fifth generation City and comes with major changes. It is aimed at keeping the model competitive in the mid-size sedan segment, till a full generational update arrives in 2028. The facelift is available in four broad trims- SV, V, ZX, ZX+. The range-topping non-hybrid variant now costs Rs 17.14 lakh.
The pre-facelift City used to sit in the price bracket of Rs 11.99 lakh - 16.05 lakh, ex-showroom. While the entry prices haven't moved, the top-spec has become more expensive.
The facelifted City will compete with the Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna. The Verna recently got a facelift, while the other two are also expecting mid-life updates this year.
This is more than just a routine update. Changes this time are more comprehensive. The styling has evolved significantly. The facelift comes with a new front fascia. It gets sleeker LED headlamps (now standard across the range) with eyebrow-like LED DRLs. There is also a full-width LED positioning lamp connecting these, which highlights the car’s width and gives it a modern appeal. The grille now has honeycomb inserts and a Black finish. It connects the headlamp units and adds more visual depth to the front end.
The front bumper has also been redesigned. It looks cleaner and sharper on the updated sedan. The air dam is now larger and there are triangular sections on either end. The new City also has a clamshell bonnet and sharp, well-drawn character lines.
It rides on new 16-inch aero-blade alloy wheels (15 inches on lower trims) finished in dark clear coat, and the rear gets a redesigned tail lamp cluster with clear lens and dark coat effects, and a new rear bumper. Honda also claims that the City is now the longest sedan in its segment.
The new City is available in six exterior colour options including a much-demanded Crystal Black Pearl shade.
The new City’s cabin has significant updates. The cabin colour scheme has been tweaked slightly. The facelift feels more upmarket. Soft-touch materials have been added across key touch points like the dashboard and door pads. Additionally, the equipment array has been updated too.
The new sedan comes with a large, freestanding 10.1-inch touchscreen which comes with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Another important update is the instrument cluster. Features like ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera have also been added to the facelifted City.
The updated sedan continues to have Honda Sensing ADAS suite and features like wireless charger, ambient lighting, more telematics features, electric single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, and auto-dimming IRVM.
The facelift continues with the same engine and transmission options as the pre-facelift model. It is powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as before. This unit makes 121hp and 145Nm. A five-speed manual and a seven-speed CVT automatic transmission are offered with this powertrain.
A corresponding facelift has also been launched on the hybrid City (City e:HEV). It comes with design changes and equipment upgrades that mirror those on the regular sedan. The e:HEV is powered by a 1.5L Atkinson cycle petrol engine mated to a strong hybrid setup (electric motor and battery pack). The setup makes 253Nm of torque. It is claimed to deliver a fuel efficiency of 27.26 kpl.
Previously, the City e:HEV was priced at Rs 19.99 lakh, ex-showroom. The facelift costs Rs 20.99 lakh, ex-showroom. It now offers five year/ 1 lakh km warranty on all hybrid components.