It’s been a good three years since Honda updated the City with a minor facelift in the Philippine market. The hatchback version and a special 30th anniversary edition came in the subsequent years, but as per the usual model life cycles of Japanese manufacturers, it’s due for another refresh. 

True enough, pictures of the Honda City’s latest facelift have surfaced coming from India ahead of its launch. The update consists of a heavy facelift in front, which rather drew some interesting comments with how dramatic the change is. 

It appears that Honda may have been trying to infuse its new design language that the Prelude debuted, as the City gets sharper-looking headlights and an integrated DRL that connects with the grille, forming the illusion of a single element.

The Honda badge is now sitting on top of the grille, just like the Prelude, while the bumper has also been redesigned, with the side intakes reshaped as triangular fog light housing elements. Add those up together though, and the City’s face seems to have pulled closer to the Hyundai Elantra than the Prelude.

Side profile remains unchanged, but new alloy wheel designs are expected. Unfortunately, the car spotters were unable to get a snapshot of the rear section, but we won’t be surprised if Honda changes the taillights, or even add a light bar to go along with minor changes to the rear bumper.

Likewise, interior photos are still unavailable, but based on spy photos, a bigger floating infotainment touchscreen could be a part of the update, presumably similar to the HR-V.

Mechanically, Honda is expected to carry on with the naturally aspirated 1.5-liter i-VTEC for the City. We’ve been waiting for the brand to introduce the 1.5-liter e:HEV powertrain, but as of late, we’re yet to see Honda submit regulatory filings or apply for DOE recognition for a hybrid version of the City.

Honda Cars India is set to launch the updated City on May 22. In the last update of the City back in 2023, it only took Honda a few months from its global reveal in India to a Philippine market launch. Hopefully, the same goes for this latest update. And yes, hopefully it comes with hybrid.