Honda adopted the "Safety for Everyone" global slogan in 2013. They launched the advanced driver-assistance safety suite, Honda Sensing, two years later. Last month, they installed it in the new City Hatchback. From a motto to your auto in under a decade, that is impressive work for Honda.
But why choose the City Hatchback over the sedan version? Different folks, different strokes. By looks alone (we'll talk about the drive later), it is sportier in every way, so it should appeal to younger buyers.
The façade is more dynamic with a new angular bumper with aggressive-looking lower air intakes, shapelier rocker panels, and a reshaped rear bumper with a diffuser-type underbody garnish. The colors, especially the new Sonic Gray Pearl, are 'mad fire,' which makes the entire 'drip' ‘on point,’ as the kids say.
It sits on Belrina Black 16-inch alloy wheels with radial, unrestrained spokes, which are seriously nice. However, there still looks to be some space in the wheel well and a few inches of extra ground clearance you can work with to lower this baby and give it a cooler stance.
Honda PH also refreshed some cabin features to justify the 'new' status of the latest City Hatchback. The upholstery now uses perforated leather and gets a red vertical accent on the seat and backrest. At the same time, the instrument cluster receives a new 4.2-inch TFT meter with a red pointer and ambient lighting between the tach and speedometer.
Whether using an iPhone or a Samsung, it will connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, wireless CarPlay, and Android Auto. That means Waze and other apps will have hands-free accessibility. All models also get an Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (ABS with EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist, rear seat reminder, Hill Start Assist, a reverse camera, speed-sensing door locks, and walk-away door locks.
Like the Jazz hatchback it replaced, the cabin's ULTR (Utility, Long, Tall, Refresh) seats make it just as versatile. They allow you to load and haul cargo of different shapes and sizes.
The City Hatchback shares the same engine as the City sedan, but oddly enough, the hatchback drives (a lot) sportier than the sedan. The 1.5-liter engine makes 121-PS and 145-Nm of torque. Yet, the hatchback delivers it more responsively. The Sport mode belts out more engaging tailpipe notes, making the vehicle highly excitable, resulting in a thrilling drive.
You will be glad that Honda Sensing works just as smoothly in the City Hatchback as in the Civic and CR-V. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) adjusts the pace to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. That way, despite the traffic, there is no need to cancel and resume cruise control all the time.
The Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Departure Warning, and ACC is a harmonious quartet that works like magic on open roads like the Skyway Stage 3. Set it to 60 km/h and relax, as it not only ensures you're not overspeeding but also gently nudges you if the vehicle is veering off course and keeps you in the lane.
Some of you check and reply to messages while at the stop light, not noticing the traffic ahead. Engineers even included a Lead Car Departure Notification System. The system will alert you once the vehicle in front takes off when the light turns green.
Honda inches closer to its dream of collision-free mobility with the Collision Mitigation Braking System. It goes off when it senses that your speed could cause a collision with obstacles ahead, such as stationary vehicles in traffic or pedestrians. The alert comes early enough for the driver to step on the brakes and slow down.
The only thing we could not test was Auto High Beam (since the drive was during the day). For your information, this feature automatically turns on the high beams when no vehicles are ahead and returns to the low beams when vehicles ahead are detected.
If you decide to personalize your City Hatchback, plenty of options exist. You can pick the Utility Package (cargo tray, door visor, seatback protector) or the Sporty Package (tailgate spoiler, Modulo front and rear under spoiler), or DIY by mixing and matching any of the accessories above. A 16-inch Modulo alloy wheel is also available.
After four years in the market, the new City has fully evolved into a more efficient and functional — and now with Honda Sensing — a safer subcompact hatchback. All this innovation has retained its sporty driving feel.
To make choosing easy, the new City Hatchback only comes in the RS CVT trim level and at just P1.189-million to make it affordable. This is a no-brainer if you are in the market for a Honda but are on a budget.