New Honda City Sedan Actually Pretty Cool

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

While Americans apparently go ga-ga for Honda’s Fit hatchback, other parts of the world get a Fit-based (or related) Honda City. While the City doesn’t share body panels with the Fit, they ride on the same light and compact platform. With the same 120 horsepower 1.5 liter 4-banger available in many markets, the City would be pretty zippy too. Frankly I think the City looks much better than the Fit – even if you have to give up beloved hatchback utility. I might go so far as to say it’s the best looking currently produced Honda sedan. The interior is a step up, as well. Honda would have zero problem selling these by the bushel in the U.S., but then they can’t even keep up with demand for the Fit right now. And a City sedan might just cannibalize Civic sales even more than the Fit already is (though the Civic is keeping up by cannibalizing Accord sales, it’s all good, as they say). Click on over to Carscoop for a full gallery.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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  • Dimwit Dimwit on Sep 19, 2008

    The big problem that Honda has is lack of production space in NA. If they build it here they would have to scale back an already great seller. Importing such a basic car wouldn't be prudent at that price point and Honda is prudent over everything else.

  • Nemphre Nemphre on Sep 20, 2008

    I'm with Justin. Normally I would prefer a hatchback over a sedan any day, but I would buy this over a Fit simply for the styling and the interior. This is the only time I've wished for a sedan version of something to be offered in the US.

  • El scotto They should be supping with a very, very long spoon.
  • El scotto [list=1][*]Please make an EV that's not butt-ugly. Not Jaguar gorgeous but Buick handsome will do.[/*][*] For all the golf cart dudes: A Tesla S in Plaid mode will be the fastest ride you'll ever take.[/*][*]We have actual EV owners posting on here. Just calmly stated facts and real world experience. This always seems to bring out those who would argue math.[/*][/list=1]For some people an EV will never do, too far out in the country, taking trips where an EV will need recharged, etc. If you own a home and can charge overnight an EV makes perfect sense. You're refueling while you're sleeping.My condo association is allowing owners to install chargers. You have to pay all of the owners of the parking spaces the new electric service will cross. Suggested fee is 100$ and the one getting a charger pays all the legal and filing fees. I held out for a bottle of 30 year old single malt.Perhaps high end apartments will feature reserved parking spaces with chargers in the future. Until then non home owners are relying on public charge and one of my neighbors is in IT and he charges at work. It's call a perk.I don't see company owned delivery vehicles that are EV's. The USPS and the smiley boxes should be the 1st to do this. Nor are any of our mega car dealerships doing this and but of course advertising this fact.I think a great many of the EV haters haven't came to the self-actualization that no one really cares what you drive. I can respect and appreciate what you drive but if I was pushed to answer, no I really don't care what you drive. Before everyone goes into umbrage over my last sentence, I still like cars. Especially yours.I have heated tiles in my bathroom and my kitchen. The two places you're most likely to be barefoot. An EV may fall into to the one less thing to mess with for many people.Macallan for those who were wondering.
  • EBFlex The way things look in the next 5-10 years no. There are no breakthroughs in battery technology coming, the charging infrastructure is essentially nonexistent, and the price of entry is still way too high.As soon as an EV can meet the bar set by ICE in range, refueling times, and price it will take off.
  • Jalop1991 Way to bury the lead. "Toyota to offer two EVs in the states"!
  • Jalop1991 I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
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