New Honda City Nearly Overtakes Volkswagen Virtus
Honda has just launched the new and updated City sedan in the market. As part of the update, Honda revised the front fascia of the City and also equipped it with more features than before. This was done intentionally to keep up with the rising competition. It looks like updating the City sedan has had a positive impact on sales. Honda City nearly overtook the Volkswagen Virtus last month. Honda sold 1,227 units of the City sedan in May 2026.
The Honda City is one of the most popular and well-loved sedans in this segment. In fact, Honda sold only 177 units of the City sedan in April this year. The sudden rise in sales numbers is largely because of the update.
As part of the update, Honda gave the City a new front fascia that looks more premium and distinctive than the previous version. Since this is a refreshed model, buyer interest has increased, which is one of the reasons why Honda managed to sell over 1,200 units of the sedan last month. In the coming months, the Honda City could become one of the best-selling models in this segment because it is a relatively new product.
The Volkswagen Virtus is one of the best-selling sedans in this segment, and the Honda City's sales numbers are now extremely close to those of the Virtus. However, sales of the Virtus have declined slightly because Volkswagen is currently testing a facelifted version. Buyers are aware that an update is coming soon for the Virtus sedan, which is why many customers are holding back their purchases.
As a result, dispatches of the Virtus sedan have remained low. Not just the Virtus, but the Skoda Slavia, which is based on the same platform, is also due for an update and is expected to be launched in the coming months. Just like the Virtus, the Slavia's numbers have also come down for the same reason. This has given the Honda City an opportunity to improve its sales figures. The Virtus and Slavia remain some of the strongest players in this segment and are also among the most powerful sedans available.
When the facelifted versions are launched, sales of both the Volkswagen Virtus and the Skoda Slavia are expected to improve, and they are likely to regain the lead. Another sedan in this segment is the Hyundai Verna, which also received an update earlier this year. However, demand has not picked up significantly, and Hyundai sold fewer than 1,000 units of the Verna last month.
The sedan segment, in general, is shrinking because of the rising demand for SUVs. The mid-size sedans mentioned above are priced between ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh, and at this price point, buyers have several SUV and crossover options to choose from. These vehicles offer higher ground clearance, better visibility, more space, and a more commanding road presence. Naturally, many customers are drawn towards SUVs as they feel they are getting more vehicle for their money.
The sub-4-metre sedan segment, however, tells a different story. Maruti Suzuki sold 24,546 units of the Dzire last month, making it the best-selling sedan in the country. The Dzire continues to sell well because it is affordable, and many buyers upgrading from hatchbacks see it as a sensible next step. It is fuel-efficient, spacious, and affordable. Maruti Suzuki also caters to both fleet operators and private buyers with the Dzire.