Honda City Sport vs Regular Model: Design, Features & Price Compared in Detail

Honda has once again managed to stir excitement in the compact sedan segment with the launch of a new Sport edition of its popular Honda City. With a legacy that spans over two decades in India, the City has become synonymous with premium design, smooth drivability, and dependable performance. Now, with the introduction of the Honda City Sport, Honda aims to offer a bolder and sportier flavor to its already successful mid-variant, the City V.

So how does this newly introduced City Sport CVT differ from the regular City V variant? Is the extra ₹49,000 worth the visual and interior upgrades? In this detailed comparison, we explore all the changes inside and out, compare performance options, interior features, pricing, and even discuss how the Sport stacks up against rivals in the Indian sedan market.

What is the Honda City Sport Edition?

The Honda City Sport edition is a new cosmetic variant launched to cater to buyers who prefer a sportier look without opting for the top-spec trims. It is based on the mid-level City V variant, which already comes equipped with a decent feature set. The Sport version adds a visual punch and a darker, racier cabin experience while retaining the same powertrain and safety package.

Launched at ₹14.89 lakh (ex-showroom), the City Sport CVT sits slightly above the V CVT, priced at ₹14.40 lakh, making it a ₹49,000 upgrade.

Exterior Comparison: What’s Different on the Outside?

Let’s begin by breaking down the design differences between the Honda City Sport and the regular City V.

✅ Front Profile:

• City Sport: Comes with a black-out front grille, replacing the traditional chrome grille seen on most Honda models. The blacked-out treatment gives the car a more aggressive, stealthy presence, especially when combined with darker body shades.
• City V: Retains the familiar chrome grille, giving a more premium and classic Honda look.

Both versions share the same headlight setup—projector halogen headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and halogen fog lamps.

✅ Side Profile:

The side view of the City Sport reveals a couple of important changes:

• Grey-finished 15-inch alloy wheels, offering a sharper look.
• Black-colored ORVMs (Outside Rear-View Mirrors) replacing the body-colored ones in the V trim.
• Body-colored door handles remain the same in both variants.

These small but effective tweaks contribute to the Sport variant’s dynamic styling without overhauling the original silhouette.

✅ Rear Profile:

The changes at the rear further distinguish the Sport variant:

• Glossy black spoiler mounted on the boot lid.
• Black shark fin antenna instead of the standard body-colored unit.
• ‘Sport’ badging instead of the usual ‘i-VTEC’ logo on the V variant.

Both cars feature the same wraparound LED tail lamps and overall rear bumper design.

Interior Differences: Black is the New Bold

While the exterior changes are subtle, the real transformation happens inside the cabin of the Honda City Sport.

✅ Cabin Color Scheme:

• City Sport: Ditches the beige for an all-black interior theme. Red accents on the dashboard, red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and upper dashboard further add to the sporty aesthetics.
• City V: Offers a dual-tone beige and black cabin, giving it a more traditional and luxury-oriented appeal.

✅ Seat Upholstery:

• City Sport: Comes with black leatherette seats enhanced by red stitching.
• City V: Features beige semi-leatherette upholstery, which is more suited to buyers looking for a lighter, airier cabin.

✅ Dashboard & Steering:

Both trims come with:

• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
• Semi-digital instrument cluster with analog speedometer.
• Automatic climate control with rear AC vents.
• Push-button start/stop system.

So, in terms of functional features, both variants are nearly identical. The Sport edition’s advantage lies purely in the visual and material enhancements.

Powertrain & Transmission: No Mechanical Changes

Mechanically, the City Sport and V CVT share the exact same engine and transmission setup:

Parameter	Specification
Engine	1.5-litre, 4-cylinder i-VTEC Petrol
Power Output	121 PS
Torque	145 Nm
Transmission	CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)

However, it’s important to note:

• The City V is available with both 6-speed manual and CVT automatic transmissions.
• The City Sport, on the other hand, is only available with CVT, aimed at urban and comfort-focused buyers.

Safety & ADAS: Premium Safety in a Mid-Trim

One of the biggest highlights of the Honda City V and Sport is the inclusion of Level 2 ADAS features, which were previously seen only on top trims. This makes the V and Sport among the most safety-rich mid variants in the segment.

Common Safety Features in Both:

• 6 Airbags (Standard)
• Lane Keep Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Auto High Beam
• Rear Parking Camera with Sensors
• ABS with EBD
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

This suite of advanced safety features ensures peace of mind for both city and highway driving.

Price Comparison: Is the City Sport Worth the Premium?

Here’s a quick breakdown of prices (ex-showroom):

Variant	Price (INR)
V MT	₹13.15 lakh
V CVT	₹14.40 lakh
Sport CVT	₹14.89 lakh

At ₹49,000 more than the V CVT, the City Sport offers:

• Blacked-out exterior styling
• Sportier black cabin with red accents
• Black leatherette upholstery
• Visual elements like a spoiler, antenna, and unique badging

If you value styling upgrades and exclusivity over additional features, the City Sport is a compelling option.

Rivals & Market Position

The City Sport goes up against compact sedans that also offer sport editions or tech-rich variants:

• Hyundai Verna
• Volkswagen Virtus
• Skoda Slavia

What sets the City Sport apart is the fusion of ADAS, CVT, and sporty styling in a mid-spec trim—a formula not currently available in its rivals.

Pros & Cons: City Sport vs City V

✅ Pros of City Sport:

• Enhanced road presence with sporty design
• Premium black leatherette interior
• Retains all functional features of V variant
• Exclusive visual identity without opting for top trim

❌ Cons:

• No manual transmission option
• Slightly higher price for only cosmetic changes
• Might not appeal to those preferring lighter cabin tones

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the City Sport?

The Honda City Sport CVT is perfect for those who:

• Want a more distinctive version of the City without going all the way to the ZX or VX variants
• Prefer a darker, sportier interior
• Want all the tech and safety of the V variant, with a more youthful appeal

However, if you’re not drawn to the cosmetic changes and prefer a manual transmission or a beige interior, then the regular City V variant offers better flexibility.

That said, for an additional ₹49,000, the Honda City Sport brings in just enough upgrades to make it a worthwhile, lifestyle-driven purchase.

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