Honda City eHEV Hybrid launched at Rs 19.4 Lakh. Is Honda City Hybrid Overpriced or Value Buy with Positives, Negatives Explained
Honda City eHEV Hybrid
Honda Cars India launched First Pure Hybrid Car of Mid Sedan Segment and it came at a slight shocker with Premium of Rs 5 Lakh + in On road over top of the line City Petrol Zx CVT Version. So - should you consider buying same. Before I tell you same its important to get on technology behind City Hybrid
Technology behind Honda City Hybrid: Apart from regular 1.5 Litre Ivtec Petrol Engine - Honda City Hybrid has 2 Electric Motor
1. HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicle which as per Honda is a Self Charging Electric Vehicle
2. City HEV comes with 2 Electric Motor with one acting as generator and second as Traction Motors which has direct connection to Wheels
3. Basis speed of Car - Honda City HEV senses and adjust to
- EV Mode when driven at controlled speed. But with Battery size less than 1 KWH - serious apprehensions on range
- Hybrid Mode when driven at Mid range or when battery charge is low
As claimed by Manufacturer Honda City Hybrid comes with claimed fuel efficiency of 26.5 Kmpl which is near 40% better as against regular Honda City Zx CVT Petrol offering 18.4 Kmpl.
Concerns on Honda City HEV
Spare Tyre: The spare tyre is a 15-inch space saver with a very small R15 135/80 tyre size.
Battery: Although Honda Cars India 8 yr Warranty on Battery but the electric motors, batteries and power control unit are imported from Japan. No Details on Costing and replacement cost known
Boot Space: By Storing Battery under Boot Spare Wheel - this has resulted in Boot Space reduced to extent of over 40% to just 306 Litres. Although length & Width is same, but depth reduced considerably
Service: Apprehensions are there if any issue happened to Self Charging set up - how trained would Honda Technicians be there to solve the same.
Ground Clearance: No Official details in brochure yet shared on Ground clearance aspect. With increased weight and Battery set up - unsure what made Honda not revealing ground clearance in official brochure of City HEV.
Saving Vs OutFlow (City Hybrid over Petrol)
From Performance aspect Although there is an increase in Kerb weight by 127 Kg to 1280 Kg (as against regular Honda City Petrol) but basis driving feedback by Experts - the Performance is near identical as what seen in City CVT at times. Suspension yes felt on firm side due to added weight
Now Claimed ARAI Mileage has Difference of 40% but For real World conditions too - while City Petrol delivers in near around 12 Kmpl - expect City HEV Hybrid to offer in 20 Kmpl
With a car been driven say 1 Lakh Kms in 10 Years - it means Rs 3.5 Lakh of Savings on Petrol Cost over Regular Honda City Model
Adding on will get Honda Sensing Technology and Smart ADAS Features including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist which is exclusive to City
So should you consider Buying Honda City Hybrid over Honda City Zx CVT
Well Price determines Value - With On road Prices higher to extent of Rs 5.25 Lakh (4.46 Lakh in Exshowroom Difference + Rs 45K for RTO + Rs 15K for higher Insurance Premium + Rs 15K for Dealer End Discount on City Zx CVT) - you end up buying a Car where will save in Rs 3.5 Lakh in Fuel Cost (subject to driven 1 Lakh Kms and saving would be less if driven lesser) with
- Compromised Boot Space
- Even Smaller Size Spare Wheel
- No Details on Costing of Imported Battery and Electric Motors
it seems that Upfront Price Difference is too much. Yes City HEV offer Honda Sensing Smart Safety but if you factor in Interest Outflow on 5.25 Lakh @ 7.5% for 5 yrs it means an extra Interest Outflow of 1 Lakh
Also even by Spending in close to 22 Lakh On road on a Mid Sedan you still be deprived of
- Cooled Ventilated Seats
- Wireless Charge
- Wireless Android Auto, Apple Car Play
- Electric Driver Seat
which are what offered by Competition SUV Cars in similar Price Bracket (although they are in Petrol & Diesel)
So - to our view Honda City Hybrid does not look like Value Proposition but if you just want a City and a fan of City Car with even extra Safety and care less for Price then yes can go in for Hybrid.
