KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Honda City Hybrid to get a new affordable variant soon, reportedly
- The City Hybrid currently comes in a single top-spec variant
- The new variant is expected to make its debut in the festive season
Honda Cars India appears to be planning to introduce a new, affordable variant of the City Hybrid. Currently, the Honda City Hybrid is offered only in a single top-spec variant, which does not sell as well compared to its rivals. Previously, to boost sales, the brand introduced an affordable variant, which was discontinued after a few months. According to reports, the Japanese automaker plans to reintroduce a new affordable variant soon. Read details of the upcoming Honda City Hybrid. Meanwhile, join our 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
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Honda City Hybrid Getting A New Variant
According to a recent report, Honda is planning to introduce a more affordable variant to its Hybrid lineup soon. The demand for hybrids has increased significantly since some states have exempted registration fees on these vehicles. Currently, the Honda City Hybrid is priced at Rs 20.85 lakh (ex-showroom) for the ZX variant.
The brand may reintroduce the VX variant for the City Hybrid lineup. Before its discontinuation, this variant was priced under Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom), making it more accessible for hybrid buyers. The VX variant will feature fewer options compared to the top-spec ZX variant. It is expected to lack a sunroof, ADAS, diamond-cut alloy wheels, wireless charging, and a few other features.
The upcoming affordable variant of the City Hybrid is expected to boost sales for the brand. Some states, such as Uttar Pradesh, have exempted road tax and registration fees for hybrid vehicles, making them more economical. Additionally, the National Capital Territory of Delhi has drafted a new policy aimed at reducing the costs associated with hybrids by considering exemptions from road tax and registration fees. This initiative is likely to increase the adoption of hybrid vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region. Furthermore, hybrids offer the best of both worlds, and an affordable price point will provide customers with a better deal.
The Honda City e:HEV comes with a 1.5-litre hybrid petrol engine that produces 126 PS of power and 253 Nm of peak torque. This engine comes mated to an e-CVT gearbox and offers a claimed efficiency of 27.26 kmpl.
Verdict
The mid-size sedan market is not booming as it used to be. The Honda City is struggling in the segment where Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are getting good sales thanks to their turbo-petrol engine and an exihilirating performance. The Honda City e:HEV being priced nearly Rs 21 lakh is very highly priced considering the features and package it offers. It is the only sedan with a hybrid powertrain in the segment, however, its high price tag may deter some customers. By introducing a more affordable variant, Honda could improve customer retention for the City.
