New Honda City ZX

Quick Take

* Fuel Economy 12/18 km/l city/highway
Available Engines 1.5L, In-line 4, 76 bhp petrol
1.5L, In-line 4, 100 bhp petrol
Available Transmissions Manual Transmission with CVT

* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.

Highlights

i-DSI technology.
14-inch wheels / Tubeless tyres.
Good driving dynamics.
Low emissions.
Attractive Fuel Economy.

Pros

Refined interiors.
Sleek, sporty styling.
Superb VTEC engine.
Excellent road grip.
Enhanced safety features.

Cons

Non-VTEC variants not as powerful as their competitors.

Overview

The Honda City ZX is an upmarket sedan available in four variants: the EXi, GXi, CVT, VTEC and VTEC Plus. The City has a sleek, aerodynamic profile with futuristic styling, trendy interiors and the option of a VTEC engine. The car enhances passenger safety with an advanced impact absorbing body structure, impact absorbing wiper pivots, a collapsible bonnet hinge, head restraints and adjustable headlamp beams.

Honda is renowned for making some of the world's most powerful, fuel-efficient and cleanest engines. This tradition continues in India with the Honda City ZX. The Hyper-16 valve, VTEC engine and programmed fuel injection translate into some of the lowest emissions in any car in the Indian auto market. The City ZX is built to tackle congested driving conditions in Indian cities and comes armed with a 4.9 metre turning radius, excellent suspension, power steering and high torque to ensure ride comfort in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the hood, an efficient 1.5 litre i-DSI engine that makes 76 horsepower and 125 Nm of torque at 2,700 rpm. The potent ZX VTEC engine churns out 100 horsepower and 13.3 kgm of torque at 4,800 rpm. The VTEC engines are powerful, accelerate smoothly and maintain good speed on highway. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) sends power to the wheels seamlessly, thereby minimising power loss and enabling refined ride quality.

Improved suspension flattens out the drive; the car displays excellent road grip, especially while cornering. Fuel efficiency is decent with 12 km/l in city driving and a decent 18 km/l on highway.

Build & Styling

The Honda City ZX has a low, wide stance with sporty design cues; slanting headlights wrap around the front of the car. A wide grille consisting of two horizontal strips sports a chrome Honda badge. The 2006 model has a higher bonnet and larger grille. The rear-end of the ZX VTEC looks smarter and leaner, with part of the taillights incorporated into the trunk lid.

Standard exterior features include 14-inch wheels, tubeless tyres, resin wheel cover with chrome 'H' badge, chrome grille, 3-d multi-reflector headlamps, tail-light cluster, body-coloured bumper, green tinted glass and a radio antenna.

The Honda City ZX interiors are classy, refined and comfortable. The cabin is well-equipped and spacious with generous seating for five and a trunk capacity of 500 litres for the traveler. Standard interior features include a centre console and switch panel in metallic grey, two speakers, a digital odometer, two-tone grey interiors, grey upholstery and chrome surround gauges.

Conveniences include front passenger seatback pocket, air-conditioning with heater, a power tilt-steering wheel, power door locks, power door mirror, power windows, intermittent front wiper, rear armrest, a cigarette lighter, remote trunk/fuel lid opener, twin glove box and centre console with glass holders.

New Honda Accord

Quick Take

* Fuel Economy 10/14 km/l (city/highway)
Available Engines 2.4L i-VTEC In-line 4, 178 bhp
Available Transmissions 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)
5-speed Automatic Transmission (AT)

* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.

Highlights

Refreshing new exterior and interior design.
Larger cabin room with classy interiors.
Improved fuel economy.

Pros

Strong build & elegant styling.
Enhanced safety features.
F1-inspired paddle shifters.

Cons

Too many buttons on the dashboard can be confusing.

Overview

Take one look at the 8th generation Honda Accord and notice that it clearly stands out as royalty. Honda has re-worked on every aspect of the car from exterior styling to the interiors to the chassis and engine. The new Accord has no resemblance to its 7th generation predecessor.

The car is more agile and flexible along curves than ever before. The front fascia is now more muscular and cabin has been enhanced for more legroom. The new Accord also packs more safety features than before. It is the largest Accord ever made and almost reaches the Mercedes-Benz E-class in proportion. The wheelbase is longer by 3 inches and the width and height have been increased by nearly an inch.

The Honda Accord has always been a leader in the D+ car segment in India. The new 8th generation Accord is pitted against the likes of Skoda Superb, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class.

Powertrain & Performance

The engine on all the three variants available variants (2.4, 2.4 Elegance and 2.4 Inspire) is the same - 178 bhp 2.4-litre i-VTEC Inline-4. A choice of either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic is offered. Honda has dropped the 3.0-litre V6 engine that was available on the previous model of Accord. The new engine generates 30 bhp more power. The new E10 engine is capable of running on a combination of 10% ethanol and 90% petrol to give enhanced fuel economy. The fuel efficiency on the new Accord has increased by 8 percent.

The chassis of the car has been made 20 percent stiffer and this makes driving in a straight line very easy. Like the successful Honda Civic, the Accord too now comes with Formula One inspired paddle shifters. All variants get a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and the top end 2.4 Inspire variant comes with a premium 4-spoke leather steering wheel with an aluminium colour panel and a leather gear shift knob.

When it comes to driving, the car is very agile and responds quickly to inputs. The refined nature of the powerful engine makes the ride very enjoyable. The new Accord also accelerates much quicker than its predecessor and gear shifts are smooth and effortless.

Build & Styling

The Honda Accord has an aggressive front fascia. The 6-sided mesh grille with chrome slats gives a luxury feel. The body construction is rigid and strong. The fenders carry fog lamps on the front and rear. The car rides on large 16-inch alloy wheels.

On the interior, the dashboard has been revamped. The dual tone finish is very appealing. The plastic used is of good quality and the upholstery is smooth and gives a rich feel. On the whole, the cabin is very classy.

Cabin space is enhanced and occupants get more leg room, shoulder room and thigh support. The driver's seat gets 8-way power adjustment with lumbar support. Rear seats have independent air vents and air conditioning. The rear seats also get their own audio control knobs.

For entertainment, the car comes with a 6-disc CD changer and MP3 player, a USB connector and 6 speakers. The car also comes loaded with convenience features like power retractable door mirrors, headlight height adjuster, noise and vibration reduction carpet and foldable rear seats.

Some of the safety features on the car include dual front i-SRS airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock braking with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution technology, high mounted LED brake lights, G-force Control technology (G-Con), engine immobilizer, and security alarm. The top-end Accord Inspire variant adds parking assist system.

New Honda Civic

Quick Take

* Fuel Economy 10/14 kmpl (city/highway)
Available Engines 1.8L In-line 4, 130 bhp petrol
Available Transmissions 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)
5-speed Automatic Transmission (AT)

* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.

Highlights

Choice of MT and AT
Cockpit style dash
Fuel efficiency

Pros

Futuristic sporty styling
Roomy interiors
High performance powertrain

Cons

Cargo space can be increased

Overview

The Honda Civic is the eighth generation Civic and all-new in India, rolling out from the Honda Siel Cars plant located in Greater Noida. The Honda Civic has been voted as the 'Car of the year' for 2007. The Civic, after its launch in the US, comes with some tweaks to suit the Indian road. It is powered by 1.8L i-VTEC engine, comes with higher ground clearance and stiffer suspension. With top-of-the-line technology, sporty looks, choice of automotive and manual transmissions, the Civic is bound to please the Indian taste palates.

The Civic places itself in the entry-level D Segment and competes with Corolla and the Skoda Octavia. The Civic design is youthful and trendy in comparison with its competitors. The Civic comes in two main variants, the 1.8S and 1.8V. The 1.8S comes with a 5-speed manual transmission whereas the 1.8V comes with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The Honda Civic is the futuristic family car!

Powertrain & Performance

With its peppy engine and buttery smooth transmission, the Honda Civic comes with a high-tech and revolutionary 1.8L inline-4 engine that cranks out 130 bhp at 6,300 rpm and a peak torque of 172 Nm is achieved at 4,300 rpm. The incorporation of variable timing control for the single overhead cam enhances engine performance at high speed. The all-aluminium engine is ultra smooth and almost silent at low revs. Equipped with the 5-speed manual or an optional automatic (1.8V variant only), the Civic is swift. The power graph remains stable between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm, and that is when power is essential for a stop-and-go drive. It is a muscle engine and roars at high revs.

The all-independent suspension with McPherson Strut in front and coil over double wishbone with torsion bar in the rear is excellent during high speeds and highway drives, but not a very good mate for bad roads. The suspension system is tweaked for minimal body roll during tight cornering. The all disc brakes with brake assist give instant halt to the mighty car. The power-assisted, collapsible steering is precise and takes speed of the car into consideration for inputs. With all these smartly tuned features, the ride quality of the Civic takes driving to a new horizon.

Build & Styling

The Honda Civic is not a typical three box character; the A-pillar is shifted forward for better aerodynamics that makes it look like the next generation car. The easy flow design with the kick-up eyed headlights and floating chrome grille are some of the stand out features.

The circular roof rises gradually and falls on the boot gracefully; the Civic's short boot gives it a contemporary feel. A touch of elegance is visible at every corner. The low-slung car looks sporty and outgoing. The interiors are also no less competitive; the cockpit style dash is really impressive and practical. The glove box has a handle on the right that makes it convenient for the driver. The Z-shaped hand break, side door knob, steering wheel and the instrument console are all futuristic for better practicality.

The digital speedometer impresses the most, while the premium sound system keeps you entertained all the way. The design gives scope for sufficient headroom and shoulder room. Though the boot is not voluminously large, it is still sufficient. The futuristic design makes this sedan a comfortable one.