There was a time before SUVs became the default vehicle choice, there were.... sedans. Back in the mid-2010s, if you were a fresh graduate, you most likely had two choices if you wanted a non-national car (can we even call it that anymore?): a Honda City or Toyota Vios.

Today, we explore the merits of the Honda City (GM6-generation) as a used car purchase, instead of buying a brand new car for the same money. With the Honda City GM6, you can still get financing which might be important to shoppers in this space. 

Let's dive in further to all you need to know about a used GM6-generation Honda City, before you buy one.

UPDATE for July 2023: For a limited time period, CARSOME is offering an additional 1+1 year warranty for selected units of Honda City. Find out more here.

Which variant is the best Honda City?

Launched in 2014, the Honda City GM6 came in four variants (S, S+, E and V). These are mainly equipment differences, as they all shared one sole powertrain: a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine (120 PS, 145 Nm) paired to a CVT transmission. 

The Honda City GM6 was then given a facelift in 2017, and with it refreshed looks and more equipment. This generation of Honda City also spawned a Sport Hybrid i-DCD (GM7) variant. With the facelift, there were again four variants, but with a twist (S, E, Sport Hybrid i-DCD, and V).

The hybrid Honda City was powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with integrated electric motor and a lithium-ion battery (137 PS, 170 Nm combined).

A 2014 Honda City E can be yours for around RM 40k today. If you want the facelifted, later models, budget RM 70k or more (but at this price point, why buy a used one?). 

For me, the sweetspot of the Honda City GM6/GM7 range is the Sport Hybrid i-DCD variant. You can pick one up for RM 60k, and you get a car that blends Honda-practicality with cutting-edge drivetrain technology in one package. 

Why choose a Honda City in the first place?

First and foremost, the Honda City GM6 is as practical and spacious as you'd want a traditional three-box sedan to be. As with all modern Hondas, the interior of the City is well executed.

Everything is placed with proper thought and ergonomics. There are plenty of useful cubbies and spaces to put phones, wallets, bottles etc. Compared to its competitors of the same era, this City boasted class-leading legroom, and it shows. Let's not forget, this is a B-segment sedan. 

As far as practicality goes, the Honda City boasts a pretty-impressive boot volume of 526 litres. Yes, that applies to even the hybrid variant (unlike its Jazz and HR-V stablemates, which had to sacrifice some boot volume for the hybrid battery). 

Better still, the boot opening is generously wide, making loading and unloading a cinch. However, while it can fold its rear seats flat, the Honda City doesn't have the ingenious Ultra Seats that's standard in the Jazz and HR-V.

In terms of equipment, the pre-facelift Honda City models are decently specced. Whatever it is, just remember to avoid the basic S model, as it doesn't even come with stability control (pre-facelift model). We detail more about this below. 

The facelifted Honda City variants are more generous in terms of standard kit, compared to the pre-facelift. Just look at the table below to see what I mean. 

Is it any good to drive?

In the petrol-powered variants, don't expect the Honda City to be a massively engaging drive. Majority of its controls (steering, throttle response, suspension) are tuned to deliver comfort and ease of driving. As such, there's not much to excite.

For a shot of excitement, then the City Sport Hybrid i-DCD comes to the fore. Because of the instant electric torque, the hybrid City has a more responsive and exuberant edge to the driving experience. 

Throw the slick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission into the mix and the hybrid Honda City really brings a smile to your face.

Are maintenance and repairs going to be a problem?

When new, the Honda City came with a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty. Best to keep this in mind when shopping for a used unit, as the earliest models came out in 2014. Maintenance wise, have a look at the table below for a simple guide. 

As you can see, maintenance and upkeep costs of a Honda City is quite wallet-friendly, from annual road tax to tyre prices. 

With regards to repairs, the Honda City GM6 shares a lot of its mechanical bits with the Honda Jazz GK. What this means is, generally there's not much to worry about in terms of common issues and problems. 

Kent Goh, owner of XD Autowerkz, commented that, like his Honda Jazz GK, the Honda City GM6 has no major issues nor complaints, adding that most of the Honda Citys he has dealt with required only regular maintenance.

As for the City GM7 Sport Hybrid i-DCD, a quick check with owners revealed a similar theme. None have encountered any major issues, mechanically or otherwise. Furthermore, the hybrid City has an eight-year warranty for the lithium-ion hybrid battery, providing further peace of mind. 

Also read: Used hybrids are really cheap, so should you buy a used Toyota Prius, Camry Hybrid or Honda Insight?

Conclusion

As far as used B-segment sedans go, you can do a lot worse than choosing the Honda City GM6. Regardless of the variant, you're sure to get a great motoring companion. It's comfortable, spacious (really spacious) and pretty painless to run.

Sure, it doesn't have the fancy ADAS features that is headlined by its successor. But, at the heart of it, the Honda City GM6 is a car that will do most things well, and rarely put a foot wrong. Just remember, a sports car, it is not. And it's all the better for it.