Review: Honda City 1.5 VTEC

Yes! meet my new babe "Honda City". I've been driving this babe for over 2 months. Here is my personal review for this car, read the full story after the jump:

Engine Performance

The heart of the car is SOHC, 16-valve VTEC engine. The 1,496c.c. engine produce 81kg-m horse power at 5,800 rpm. In the urban driving mode, the car maintain at the 3,000 rpm below thus provide sufficient and smooth power.
When it comes to car overtaking and spirit driving, I will just press the pedal and increase the rpm to 3,000 rpm above, the VTEC power will unleashed, hence the car will reach 120km/hr in less than 1 min. After 120 160km/hr, I still can feel the endless power, however the car has experienced loud wind noise and the tyres + suspensions are telling me to slow down. Well, you can't expect much from an entry level Japanese made to perform like Continental though....

Handling

The petrol tank was located in the centre of the car (below the front seats). Even though the overall height of the car is tall @ 1.485mm, as the weight was centralized in the middle, the car still provide a good grip while turning into the corner @ 80km/hr. (don't try this, it's dangerous :p )
The steering was equipped by electronic power (EPS), while the car speed is slow, you will feels relatively heavy (still lighter than other cars that I had been driven). When the car speed is high, the steer is lighter and more sensitive. It takes a while for me to get used to the EPS and I found it's too sensitive sometimes. However, when I was parking the car, the steering react quite slowly while I switch between "D" and "R" gears.

Fuel Consumption

This car has a fantastic fuel consumption, it travels @ average 12.5km/l, which is lower than my previous 4-year old car (Perodua Kenari). If I am in the mood of spirit driving, the petrol consumption will be average 12 km/l. Superb!

Transmission

It's CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) which you may find it on most of the new model from other made. It change gears without getting you notice and it smooth like hot knife cutting the butter :). The CVT is very intelligent that it provide engine brake (just like manual car) when you de-accelerate by releasing the pedal.
As for the 7-speed manual mode, it's phenomenon and I use it more while overtaking cars with a push of the button. Comparing to Honda Civic's paddle gear shift, you are required to shift into the "S" mode before you can use it.

Exterior

It looks better from the side, not from the front. The whole car body has a mascular line from the end of the headlight to the beginning of the rearlight, I am kind of like it as it reminds me of BMW 3 series. The new grill, radiator air intake and fog lights make the front looks better compare to the older model (before facelift). However, this is very subjective, some people thinks this car looks weird though.

Interior

The interior is very spacious as the design provide lots of the headroom, you can easily fit in 5 middle size adult. The car is front wheel drive, so the rear floor platform is kind of flat and giving the rear seaters more comfortable legroom.
Dashboard and central console design is ergonomy and easy to reach, the self-illuminating cluster meter is fabulous too! I hope this car comes with more compartments like Honda Jazz.

Verdict

In conclusion, I think this car has score 7 out of 10 stars. In comparison to the nearest model from Toyota, Honda City is really more worth for money. If you are planning to get a Japanese made (CKD in Melaka though), and your budget is below RM100K like me, Honda City will be your smart choice.