2026 Honda City to feature E20 biofuel compatibility, faces competition in Vietnam

Honda is preparing to launch the 2026 City in Thailand, a model that will feature compatibility with E20 biofuel, aligning with the growing trend of ethanol-blended fuels. The new City will debut on July 1, with pre-orders already open until June 30.

This upcoming model will be offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles, marking the first official appearance of the hatchback variant. Customers can choose from four trims: 1.0 Turbo S CVT, e:HEV V, e:HEV SV, and e:HEV RS. The 1.0L VTEC Turbo engine, expected to produce around 120 horsepower and 173 Nm of torque, will power the 1.0 Turbo S CVT variant and is designed to run on E20 fuel.

However, the 1.0L engine is not anticipated for the Vietnamese market. Honda Vietnam currently offers the City with a naturally aspirated 1.5L i-VTEC engine across its G, L, and RS trims, producing 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The smaller 1.0L engine typically faces challenges in Vietnam's market, with only a few models like the Toyota Raize and Skoda Slavia/Kushaq utilizing such engines.

The current Honda City in Vietnam is priced between 499 million and 569 million VND, with the RS variant in red costing 577 million VND. The introduction of the hybrid e:HEV powertrains in the Thai market suggests a potential for future competition against rivals like the Toyota Vios.