2026 Honda City launched at Rs 12 lakh

The 2026 Honda City has been launched in India with introductory prices starting from Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the second mid-lifecycle update for the fifth-generation City, which debuted in 2020. Following the 2023 update, the City now gets a more comprehensive makeover with a completely redone fascia and also more features, but it is mechanically unchanged. The City has the distinction of being the longest-running nameplate in India. 

1. New City available in four trims: SV, V, ZX and ZX+
2. Gets new 10.1-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats
3. Continues with 1.5-litre petrol and strong hybrid powertrains

Here’s a look at the 2026 Honda City price list in detail:

Variant	SV	V	ZX	ZX+
1.5 petrol MT	Rs 12 lakh	Rs 13.30 lakh	Rs 15.26 lakh	Rs 16.15 lakh
1.5 petrol CVT	–	Rs 14.30 lakh	Rs 16.26 lakh	Rs 17.15 lakh
1.5 strong-hybrid e:HEV	–	–	–	Rs 21 lakh

As before, the City is available in SV, V, ZX and ZX+ trims, and the hybrid is limited to the top ZX+ trim. The base price of the City hasn’t changed, but the top ZX+ petrol-CVT variant now costs Rs 1.08 lakh more. Meanwhile, the City e:HEV also sees a price hike of Rs 1 lakh.  

2026 Honda City facelift exterior design

As with most facelifts, the updates are just to the soft parts, but even then, Honda has done a good job of completely changing the City’s fascia. It now gets a pair of sleeker headlamps with a two-part, brow-like LED DRL signature connected by a light bar that sits above the new honeycomb-patterned grille. Honda says the throw of the light beams is longer and wider than before. There’s also a new body-coloured panel atop the grille, replacing the outgoing car’s chrome trim.

The bumper gets a wider central air intake and new triangular air intakes at the edges for a slightly sharper look. Not much has changed in profile, save for the new set of dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels, while at the rear, it gets a new two-tone bumper with reflectors positioned at the edges and a new faux diffuser finished in body colour.

Honda has also introduced a Crystal Black Pearl exterior colour while carrying over the five existing colour options. These include Radiant Red, Obsidian Blue, Meteoroid Grey, Lunar Silver and Platinum White.  

2026 Honda City facelift interior and features

The updates on the inside aren’t as comprehensive, however. It now gets a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen, which protrudes slightly instead of appearing fully integrated into the dashboard. The dual-tone theme, AC vents, centre console and part-digital instrument cluster have been carried forward unchanged. What’s nice is that there are still plenty of tactile buttons and dials for the HVAC controls and some on the steering wheel, aiding ease of operation. 

As for the equipment, a 360-degree camera and ventilated front seats are also new additions. Other features include an 8-speaker sound system, ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charging pad, connected car tech, a sunroof, an electric parking brake and a rear windscreen sunblind. The City also continues with its Level 2 ADAS suite, lane-watch camera, rain-sensing wipers, hill-start assist and 6 airbags. 

2026 Honda City facelift powertrain and specs

Under the hood, the 2026 City continues with the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 121hp and 145Nm of torque. It comes mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-step CVT. The 126hp/253Nm 1.5-litre strong-hybrid powertrain with an e-CVT gearbox also carries on unchanged. Honda claims an efficiency of 27.26kpl with the hybrid powertrain and is offering a new 5-year warranty on all hybrid components.

The new City will continue to see competition from the likes of the Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus. Incidentally, the Verna, too, was recently updated with a slight makeover, while the Slavia and Virtus are also due for a facelift soon.