Honda City GXi or Honda City 2008?

Question

Hi there ...

Can someone throw some light on what is Honda's plans for the current ZX Gxi model in India with the launch of the new Honda City 2008 imminent ?

From my recent interaction with a Honda dealer I was told the current ZX VTec will be completely replaced with the new City 2008 i-Vtec but no news on the plans for the GXi (iDSI) model. I'll appreciate all valuable info to help me decide if I should go with GXi or wait for the new Honda City 2008.

Note : Also I heard the price of the new City 2008 model will be atleast 1 L more than the current ZX VTec which sounds ridiculous on Honda to overprice the successful City in the Indian market. At this price the base version of the new Toyota Corolla Altis might be a good pick if one can extend the spending by another 1L.

Rajan

Answer 1

It is true that the i-vtec model will be completely replaced by the new honda city.

About the Gxi model, the new Honda city will not have any Gxi variant. Honda has officially confirmed tha all new models of Honda city are sure to have the 1500 cc vtec engine. This would also imply that all new Honda City models with loads of new features like steering mounted controls etc will be priced much higher than the existing models. I'll not be surprised if the price difference is 1.5 lakh upwrads.

However with the popularity of the current Gxi model it is unlikley that it will be phased out. There have been hints by Honda officials that the present Gxi model would continue for the Indian market along with the new City.

About your comment about Altis, you are very right. Since Civic is not due for a change in sometime to come, Honda is trying to put City in competition to Altis. But the new city is no less in fetaures compared to Altis. Its high end model would have all the altis fetaures like side air bags, tilt steering, steering mounted controls, immobilizer and even paddle shift gears (steering mounted).

I would suggest you to wait till Altis and new city both are launched, take test drives and you might still want to go for a Gxi for the huge price advantage.