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Such speeds would require a firm suspension and powerful brakes. Fortunately, the City has both. Due to cost constraints, it may not have double-wishbone suspension found on all other Hondas. It only has struts at all four corners. However, the struts have been tuned well. Bumps and dips in the road are absorbed nonchalantly, while potholes don't jar the cabin too much. Brakes have good feel and acceptably short stopping distances. The weak points in the chassis set-up are the tires. They're size 165/80 R 13, and amount to a low adhesion limit for the car. The 80 aspect ratio doesn't help, either, as lane changes feel soft and soggy. Certain aspects of driving the City had a wooden, lifeless feel. The steering, for instance, tracked precisely but was too slow, particularly for a small car. Pull on the handbrake, and you'll feel like you're engaging air. The interior particularly is quite disappointing. It is quite roomy and will seat five small-to-medium adults comfortably, but the dogs are in the details. The radio-cassette player is mounted so low that it's distracting to change stations or increase the volume. The glovebox is not damped in any way so opening it and closing it results in a plasticky twang. Gauges are complete with tach and speedometer flanking central fuel and temp indicators. However, the gauge cluster is so unimaginative, it looks like it came from a van. The dials for tach and speedo should be made larger. Or why not go bonkers and install a floating digital display in a central pod, like Toyota's Yaris? The aircon controls are also strange, with a large temp knob to one side and clumsy slide controls for fan speed. What's stranger is that there are three aircon vents at the center, with the middle vent having an open/shut lever, but the others don't shut. What's the use?! The aircon is very powerful, though, providing cooling all the way to the rear passengers. Power features are half-hearted, too. There's power steering but no power door locks. Only the front windows are electric; the rear are hand-cranked. However, if you're looking for an affordable brand-new car, you won't do badly to choose the City over its rivals. It has a capable and economical drive train, and runs about 10 km/liter. Chassis is also competent. Bottom line is that the City inspires confidence. The mechanical parts of the car pull and work together in such a way that you know you can overtake that truck, you can stop in time for the intersection, you can go fast enough on the highway. That confidence leads to driving satisfaction. One suggestion if you choose a City: change those wheels and tires right away! Here's our comprehensive wish list for a new Honda City, when it's designed and produced:
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