2021 Honda City hatchback debuts, replacing Jazz in select markets

Honda Jazz has been the Japanese carmaker’s entry model to their lineup in most markets around the world and a fairly successful one at that. But in some markets, the Japanese giant is planning to replace the Jazz with a five-door Honda City hatchback that carries over the sedan’s styling but with a smaller footprint.

The City hatchback is 208 mm shorter than the City sedan, yet it is considerably larger than the Jazz. The hatchback carries over the wheelbase of the City sedan, ensuring ample passenger space inside. In fact, they have improved the legroom inside with the addition of “Ultra Seats” with four different modes — Utility, Long, Tall and Refresh.

The City hatchback is launched in Thailand as of now, where it utilises a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine, good enough for 120 hp and 173 Nm of torque. The engine gets hooked up to a CVT gearbox, channeling power to the front wheels.

The design, as the pictures speak, is similar to that of the sedan with the rear adapted to the new body style. There is an RS trim that adds more style and equipment but not performance. The City hatchback RS gets styling updates in the form of blacked-out elements. On top of that, it gets paddle shifters, six airbags, cruise control, rear charging ports, and an armrest at the rear.

The price of the 2021 Honda City Hatchback starts at 599,000 baht (Dhs 73,260) in Thailand. With the off-beat Honda Jazz already cancelled in the UAE and GCC as a sales failure, there is certainly a gap left for Honda to fill with a conservative entry-level hatchback. But no official confirmation regarding a Middle East launch is out yet.