2003 Honda City

After years of solid, if unglamorous, duty as the boxy little Honda that could, the entry-level City gets a complete makeover that promises a more substantial experience for first-time Honda buyers. The words "baby Toyota Corolla Altis" and "chick car" immediately come to mind with the diminutive City’s crisp lines, tall roof, and forward-oriented stance, but now it looks more refined and expensive than the old car did.

Apart from the token chrome accent above the grill that looks for all the world like an automotive milk moustache, sharp design features include multireflector headlamps and tail lamps, built-in spoilers for the front chin and trunk lid, and front quarter panel glass windows with large side mirrors that seem to have an aero crease.

The interior sports two-tone beige upholstery and a much-improved cockpit. Better-grained plastics are used for the dashboard, which is highlighted by a sporty instrument panel with large-diameter meters.

With a current price range of P550,000 for the basic "A" variant all the way to the P669,000 "S" with all the bells and whistles, the only engine offering is a 1.3 liter, 16-valve SOHC design with i—DSI technology. Short for Intelligent Dual and Sequential Ignition, the engine features two sparkplugs per cylinder for either simultaneous or sequential ignition depending on the engine load. It produces 82 PS at 5,700 rpm and 11.8 kg-m of torque at 2,800 rpm. The car qualifies as a Low-Emissions Vehicle and, with a three-way catalytic converter, complies with EU2000 emissions standards.

The "S" variant with automatic transmission uses a continuously variable type similar in principle to the Mitsubishi Lancer MX. Offering a wide range of ratios, a "Steer-Matic" feature allows for manual shifting of seven pre-selected ratios controllable via two buttons on the three-spoke steering wheel. The steering wheel is also tilt-adjustable and features electronic power steering. The car’s turning radius is 4.7 meters.

The City’s suspension is composed of independent struts up front and an H-shaped torsion beam at the rear. Brakes are conventional ventilated disks in front and drums in back. Available as part of an optional package on the "S" are seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, dual SRS airbags, ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, and Brake Assist. The basic "A" rolls on 13-inch, 80-series tires with steel rims and hubcaps while the "S" gets 14-inch, 65-series tires and alloy rims.

Standard on all variants are power mirrors, windows, and locks, defogger, LED-type water temperature indicator, front and rear cupholders, and front seatbelt shoulder-height adjusters. Gravitational Force Control Technology (G-CON) with arch-shaped front side frames improve crash energy absorption and reduced cabin intrusion. The car also features a safety structure composed of a wiper pivot slide system, impact absorbing bonnet, collapsible bonnet hinge, and easily deforming fender structure that’s supposed to reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of an accident.

For those who’ve found entry-level cars to be attractively priced but woefully short of space, the City features "U.L.T." seating for the "S" variant. In "Utility" mode, the rear seats fold down to form a flat load floor in combination with the trunk. There is no fixed bulkhead separating the 500-liter trunk from the passenger cabin. In "Long-Cargo" mode, half of the rear bench can be folded down and the front passenger seat can be fully reclined to accommodate items up to 2.6 meters long when combined with the trunk. In "Tall" mode, the entire rear seat can be folded up to make room for tall objects; up to 1.2 meters in height is achieved. Hooks are provided under the rear seats to help secure luggage.

Like the rest of the locally available Hondas, the City also benefits from reduced maintenance costs and an increased warranty period. Replacement schedules for engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, engine coolant, air cleaner element, fuel filter, etc. have been extended. The City also comes with a three year / 100,000 kilometer warranty.