Honda City facelift launched at Rs 11.99 lakh with updated styling and new features

Honda Cars India has launched the 2026 Honda City facelift in the Indian market while also marking the India debut of its global hybrid SUV, the all-new Honda ZR-V e:HEV. The two launches signal the start of what the company describes as a new growth phase for its India operations, with a stronger focus on premium positioning, hybrid technology and sporty design.

The updated City arrives with refreshed styling, additional technology and feature upgrades, while the ZR-V e:HEV enters India as Honda’s new flagship SUV with the brand’s advanced strong-hybrid powertrain.

According to Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO of Honda Cars India, India remains one of Honda’s top three focus markets globally, and the company plans to strengthen its presence through a series of strategic launches in 2026.

2026 Honda City facelift: Exterior design

The 2026 Honda City receives its second major mid-cycle update since the fifth-generation sedan debuted in 2020. Honda says the latest update focuses on enhancing the sedan’s sporty character and premium appeal while retaining its engaging driving dynamics.

The sedan now measures 4,594mm in length, making it 11mm longer than before. The front fascia has been extensively redesigned with sleeker Bi-LED projector headlamps, a connected LED light bar integrated into the grille, split LED daytime running lamps and a new matrix-mesh grille design. The bumper has also been revised with larger air intakes and aerodynamic detailing for a sharper appearance.

In profile, the City gets newly designed 16-inch dual-tone aero blade alloy wheels, while the rear features new Z-edge wraparound LED tail lamps, a redesigned bumper garnish and a sporty trunk lip spoiler. Honda has also added a new Crystal Black Pearl exterior shade to the colour palette.

2026 Honda City facelift: Interior design and features

Inside, the City retains its dual-tone black and ivory theme but gets several upgrades. The biggest addition is a new 10.1-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity. Honda has also added ambient lighting with a new dark iron 3D-pattern dashboard garnish.

Feature additions include a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, USB Type-C charging ports for front and rear passengers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, an eight-speaker audio system, electric sunroof and rear sunshade.

The sedan continues with Honda Sensing ADAS features including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keep Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow on the e:HEV variant, Road Departure Mitigation, Auto High Beam and Lead Car Departure Notification.

Petrol and strong-hybrid powertrains continue

Mechanically, the City remains unchanged and continues with both petrol and strong-hybrid powertrain options.

The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine develops 121bhp and 145Nm of torque and is offered with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-step CVT automatic gearbox. Honda claims a fuel efficiency of 17.77km/l for the manual and 17.97km/l for the CVT.

The City e:HEV strong-hybrid version uses Honda’s self-charging two-motor hybrid system paired with an e-CVT gearbox. The setup produces126bhp and 253 Nm of torque while delivering a claimed fuel efficiency of 27.26kmpl. The hybrid system can seamlessly switch between EV, hybrid and engine drive modes depending on driving conditions.

Honda is also offering an 8-year/1.6 lakh km warranty on the lithium-ion battery pack along with a newly introduced 5-year/1 lakh km warranty on hybrid system components.

The City petrol will be available in SV, V, ZX and ZX+ trims with manual transmission, while CVT options will be offered on V, ZX and ZX+ variants. The City e:HEV will continue exclusively in the ZX+ trim.

The 2026 Honda City is now available at Honda dealerships across India, with customer deliveries commencing immediately.

Honda ZR-V e:HEV debuts in India

Alongside the City facelift, Honda also showcased the all-new ZR-V e:HEV, which will serve as the company’s new flagship SUV in India.

Globally positioned as a premium sporty SUV, the ZR-V combines sharp styling, premium interiors and Honda’s advanced hybrid technology. The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre e:HEV strong-hybrid powertrain and has already crossed cumulative global sales of over 8 lakh units since its international launch in 2022.While the company has not yet announced launch timelines or pricing details for the ZR-V in India, the SUV is expected to arrive as a premium offering and will likely be brought in as a CBU initially.

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