2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift arrives in Thailand; Malaysia next?

KUALA LUMPUR: Honda refreshed the City sedan with styling tweaks and new equipment last year, and now it's time for the City hatchback to get its fair share of revisions. Yes, that’s right! The Japanese automaker has rolled out the updated version of the Honda City Hatchback, with Thailand being the first country to welcome the new B-segment model.

The new City Hatchback is offered in five variants in Thailand viz. Turbo S+, Turbo SV, Turbo RS, e:HEV SV (new) and e:HEV RS. As the names suggest, the first three trims are powered by a 1.0-litre inline-three VTEC Turbo petrol mill which delivers a maximum power of 122 PS at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 173 Nm from 2,000-4,500 rpm. The power is sent to the wheels via a CVT.

The e:HEV variants, on the other hand, feature the brand’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid setup comprising an electric motor tuned to produce 109 PS and 253 Nm and a lithium-ion battery pack that is fed by a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine good for making 98 PS and 127 Nm. 

The hybrid system comes paired with an electric continuously variable transmission and advanced 2-motor system that regulates three driving modes - EV, Hybrid, and Engine.

While the engine specifications remain the same as earlier, the hatchback gains a few cosmetic changes and an upgraded equipment kit for 2024. These include -

• A slightly tweaked front grille with a new mesh insert design and a slimmer top edging
• A new front bumper and rear bumper
• A new set of 16-inch black wheels (RS variants)
• A diffuser-like rear element (RS variants)
• Remote engine start
• Walk-away auto lock function
• USB-C ports for the rear passengers
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (SV and RS variants)
• Two new ADAS features - Low-Speed Follow and Lead Car Departure notification (e:HEV variants)

For RS variants, there are two exclusive colour options: Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic with a black roof and Ignite Red Metallic. Other colours to choose from include - Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Sonic Gray Pearl, Taffeta White (S+ only), and Platinum White Pearl (SV and RS variants). 

Pricing for the Thai-spec 2024 Honda City Hatchback begins at THB 599,000 (approx. RM 80k) and goes all the way up to THB 799,000 (approx. RM 106k).

After Thailand, it’s fair to say that Malaysia should be the next market to get the new City Hatchback.

Also read: Honda Malaysia hits a sales home run, still top dog for non-national car sales