#10YearChallenge - Honda City 2010 vs 2020

There are a plethora of new car launches every year. Each car brings along with it a different set of style, design, features, technology, etc. However, not all cars achieve the kind of success their manufacturers' thought they would. But there are exceptions. Cars that not only reach the summit but extends the benchmark so high that it would take forever for others to surpass or even achieve it. One such car is the Honda City.

Honda City has been ruling the roads of Malaysia for umpteen years now. Throughout its existence, it has faced many challenges and always emerged as the winner. So we thought why not give it another challenge, the #10YearChallenge. Let’s take a dive and look at what all has changed.

Aesthetics

Don’t you think that the silhouette of the latest Honda City is more or less the same as that of the one being sold in 2010? That’s the beauty of Honda’s engineering. It keeps on improving and modifying but at the same time, stays in touch with its roots. Of course, the 2020 Honda City is modern-looking and sportier than its counterpart that was sold 10 years ago. But we still see a hint of the old car in the new one.

Honda has revised the looks of the new City. It features a bolder design, especially at the front where we get a pair of full-LED headlamps along with LED DRLs. Unlike before, the front grille is now more prominent. Of course, the bumper is new and sportier than ever. Honda also treated the hood and gave it subtle sporty lines. From the side, the alloy wheels have changed and become more attractive. The ORVMs have found a new place. And, perhaps, the roofline is slightly altered.

The rear end of the City is very different from what it used to be. There is LED lighting with signature touches. The entire taillight cluster has transformed into a sleeker and attractive shape. Also, the rear end seems to be cleaner than before, perhaps, even more mature.

Interior

Slowly and steadily, Honda City built its reputation and a place in the Malaysian market. For many people, it was their first car. It was loved for its spacious interior which gave the owners a sense of pride. The 2020 Honda City continues to have the spacious interior. In fact, Honda says that even after having a shorter wheelbase, it has more legroom than its predecessor. The dashboard has also been revised; it’s cleaner and tidier than before. Some of the features that weren’t available back in the day or have been improved are-

• Soft-touch dashboard material
• Touchscreen display
• Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
• Well-bolstered seats
• Storage spaces

Powertrain

Honda has a good reputation in making quiet engines. Most of its cars come equipped with engines that are powerful yet quiet. In fact, some people even say that when at idle, you can’t really tell whether Honda’s engine is running or not unless you give it a rev. Honda City specs were blessed with a similar engine and the latest 2020 model has been given a major upgrade in this regard - a new 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. This 3-cylinder engine churns out 122 bhp and 173 Nm of torque. Moving forward, we wouldn’t be surprised to see only turbocharged engines in Honda cars.

Safety Features

This is one of the areas where the automotive industry witnessed tremendous development in the last decade. Thanks to the ever-changing technology, car manufacturers have been able to make safer cars. Safety features like vehicle stability assist, EBD, brake assist,multi-angle reverse camera, improved airbags, etc. might not have been available in the City back in 2010. However, the 2020 Honda City gets all of that and also G-Force Control Technology which creates a body frame that absorbs impacts to minimize injuries to passengers during a collision.

So far, Honda City’s journey has been quite memorable and extraordinary. It helped people realize that dreams are achievable. It found a place in many Malaysian homes and became a member of the family. Today, Honda City isn’t just a car, it’s a legacy. And that’s why we also mentioned it in our list of ‘Top 5 cars of the decade’. Now, we are waiting for the new 2020 Honda City to be launched in the country and carry on the legacy.

Also read: #10YearChallenge - Perodua Bezza 2010 vs 2020