Honda City Prices Hiked Days Before the Facelift Launch
Honda Cars India increased prices on the City in the run-up to the model's facelift launch, scheduled for May 22, 2026. The existing City's prices now start at Rs 12.08 lakh ex-showroom, with the range topping out at Rs 16.07 lakh for the petrol variants.
The hybrid City is priced at Rs 20 lakh. This follows an earlier price revision in January 2026, when the hybrid variant saw a hike of Rs 51,700, taking it to Rs 20 lakh after a brief reduction the previous month.
The timing of a price increase immediately before a new model launch is unusual but not without logic. Honda is drawing a clear line between what the current City is worth and what the incoming facelift will command.
Raising the current model's price just before the update arrives effectively sets a floor and signals that the facelift will not be priced the same as the model it replaces. This might also be a signal that the current City would continue for a bit.
The May 22 launch will be a mid-cycle refresh rather than a full redesign. The 2026 City facelift is expected to carry updated exterior styling, primarily at the front with revised headlamps and grille treatment, and additions to the feature list inside. The cabin is likely to get a larger or revised touchscreen, wireless phone charging if not already present on relevant variants, and possibly ventilated front seats on upper trims.
The engine line-up is expected to carry over unchanged. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol producing 121 PS, paired with a 6-speed manual or a CVT, remains the core of the range. The 1.5-litre i-MMD strong hybrid, which uses two motors and runs on the Atkinson cycle for most urban driving, continues at the top of the line-up.
The facelift is expected to come with a modest premium over current pricing, in the range of Rs 15,000 to Rs 60,000 depending on variant, based on what features are added.
That makes the current City's post-hike pricing relevant context. At Rs 12.08 lakh entry and Rs 16.07 lakh at the top of the petrol range, the current car is not cheap relative to segment rivals.
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, now discontinued, was always priced lower. The Hyundai Verna starts at Rs 11.20 lakh and runs to Rs 17.55 lakh. The Skoda Slavia begins at Rs 11.69 lakh.
The City which led the segment for a long time has lost ground to the European twins but still has a long track record of reliability in this segment. But the price trajectory, upward moves before each facelift, does narrow the City's value advantage over time. May 22 will clarify where the facelift actually lands.