2023 Honda City facelift images leaked online, a Hybrid option in the works for the Ph?

Images of the new Honda City facelift have leaked online, showcasing a B-segment sedan that has gotten a few styling cues from its bigger brother, the Honda Civic.

Based on the leaked images published by Headlightmag and Autocar India, the updated Honda City will receive a minor facelift rather than an extensive redesign. 

What's new?

The images show that the higher sedan variant has a new honeycomb-style grille with a unique chrome accent connecting the two headlights. The higher grades of the sedan also come with a new bumper with tweaks to its foglight bezels and lower intake.

The same can also be said for the lower variants of the facelifted City, where its front bumper has been restyled for a cleaner-looking front.

Aside from this, the LED headlights for the vehicle have been restyled to give it a more aggressive look. Lower sedan variants retain the chrome accent on the grill and above the headlights while maintaining their projector halogen headlights.

As for the wheels of the new Honda City, these appear to have been changed based on the photos. We can expect the sedan to come with a new set of alloy wheels for its top and middle grades and steelies with hubcaps for its entry-level variant. 

At the back of the vehicle, its changes are more subtle. The facelifted sedan receives a new bumper that replaces the old vertical reflectors with horizontal units near the bumper's bottom. It also appears that the City will get a new faux diffuser to match its updated looks. 

Any interior updates?

Inside the facelifted Honda City, it's harder to spot the changes done to it as the layout remains essentially the same as its previous version.

The only changes we can see in the leaked images are the additions of faux wood trim on the dashboard and a revised set of buttons for the steering wheel. 

However, there may be changes to the vehicle that cannot be seen by the naked eye, such as the addition of Honda Sensing technology in its bigger sibling, the Honda BR-V. 

Hybrid anyone?

As for its engine options, we suspect it will still be the same, with specific markets getting a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine while others retaining the 1.5-liter naturally aspirated motor. The hybrid drivetrain that still puts out 109 PS and 253 Nm of torque will likely be carried over.

It remains to be seen if Honda Cars Philippines Inc. will take advantage of this Minor Model Change to introduce a hybrid powertrain to the City lineup. 

The 2023 Honda City facelift is expected to be revealed at the Bangkok International Motor Show that is set to happen in March of 2023. 

Should HCPI bring the Hybrid powertrain to the Philippines for the Honda City lineup this 2023?