Indeed, vb-san. Honda has followed the philosophy that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but whatever's broke, definitely fix it." The arrow-shot design is a big revolution in design in itself, and Honda couldn't do much more to top that. The all-new Civic with that new design didn't fare well in the acceptance department, did it? Honda has played it safe for now, until the next 5-6 years at least, till the next-gen City will be due (2019-2020 perhaps).
I still say that Civic-
ish front and that all-new smashing rear gives a lot of added personality to what is already a wonderful existing design. Focusing on the positives, looks and features:-
1) Automatic Climate Control - A long, LONG pending feature is a welcome addition to the 2014 City.
And that comes as a full touchscreen unit now!
2) Fantastic looking speedo - Complimented with those lovely, blue dials and that soothing, soft green ambient meter light, it looks superb!
Shift indicator, clock, tripmeters all look classy. In addition to the tachometer, speedometer, instantaneous FE indicator, etc., I am really glad and relieved to see the Temperature Gauge back, that too in a fully digital format!
3) Lovely-looking all-new AC vents. They look remarkably wide, flat and rectangular and should have a wider area of dissipating than the current ones. Our official review should shed more light on their effectiveness.
4) The 5" HU looks fabulous. With all the functions it has - Bluetooth, USB, Aux, Reverse Camera, etc., it's a great & welcome addition. The existing HU on the current City was one of it's biggest let-downs.
5) The integrated USB port looks classy. Certainly better than the wire dangling for the existing City's HU.
6) Rear AC vents are another welcome addition. The existing City had floor vents under the front seat for the rear passengers which was difficult to access (needed a cut across the floor mat for them to be visible and effective) but that only managed to tickle their feet, that too when not wearing shoes! This is so much better.
7) I liked the existing steering a lot more. This one looks good and effective but somehow I feel it won't be as meaty to hold as the current one.
8) From the pics it seems like Honda has persisted with the fake dead pedal. I am not complaining but a proper dead pedal, even a smaller one, would have been more welcome.
9) Quality of fit and finish seems top notch. Although from one of the side pics of the front passenger's side, the quality of plastics used seems to be average.
10) ORVM-folding and adjustment buttons can be seen on the dash, on the right side of the steering wheel. To keep the driver door panel less cluttered? Auto Up/Down only for the driver's window again.
11) Gear knob looks different.
12) Boot space has marginally increased to 510 liters, from the existing 506 liters (thanks paultan.org). Still miles ahead from the competition.
13) No less than FOUR charging ports! Fantastic for those looking to carrying a wad of mobiles/laptops/tablets, when they are on the go.
14) Silver/black dash design looks dashing! I am glad they went for that over beige. Too drab these days.
15) The rear looks really classy, as if it belongs to a segment above (Jetta, Elantra, Corolla Altis, etc.) The small chrome piece in the center is complimented excellently with those new rear taillights. Overall, a HUGE thumbs-up.
16) Quarter windows on the rear door windows is always welcome. Makes the interiors seem open, fresh and airy.
17) Very disappointing alloy design. I would have preferred something on the lines of the 5-spoke ones (specially the Antares design), even of the existing City's S MT variant.
18) Foglamp casing is now all-black and grilled. Hopefully the plastic isn't too cheap down there.
19) Big grouse with that thick strip of chrome in the front grille. If they had to have that, why not borrow the design from the Fit or even the Vezel? Those ones are equally thick but look more pleasing to the eye. This one seems like a pick from the Modulo kit bins. But maybe that new grille didn't gel with the headlamp design (carried forward), hence discarded.
20) No projectors/DRLs is disappointing. But maybe Honda has saved that for the facelift due in the next 2-3 years. Or we just might see that included in the top variant after feedback is given in the next 2 months. Let's hope!
Overall, I am glad they retained the core design bits of the current-gen City and gave what the City most needed - a bunch of sleek features, new front/rear looks and a fantastic diesel heart. The current City sold well till the end of it's cycle just for it's looks and it's performance, and this one should take the legacy forward. It's got most things right for the Indian market now.
As for me, I will be one happy chappy to be behind the wheel of this one, hopefully for a long time. It's been almost six hours since the unveiling and the grin on my face hasn't gone off, and that itself says a lot!