Why Used Buyers Still Prefer The Honda City Manual Over Automatic

The Honda City is one of the most respected and trusted sedans to buy in India. Its popularity has been particularly evident claiming the crown of the best selling used sedan in India in 2024. It was also the third best selling used car overall last year, with a 3.6% overall used car market share, behind only the Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Hyundai i10.

While there are lots of reasons behind its popularity, the fact that the City is available in manual and automatic transmission options is a big contributing factor behind its appeal. Our used car sales report reflects this fact and, in this article, we will take a close look at why the manual transmission-equipped City fares better in the used market, despite the rising interest in automatics across segments.

Demand for Used Honda City Automatic Remains Strong in 2024

Despite the growing acceptance of automatics in urban India, manual transmission firmly dominated the used Honda City space in 2024, controlling 83% of all sales. Automatic variants of the City accounted for 17%, which is higher than the national average of 14.66%. 

Fuel Type & Transmission Combinations

• Honda City diesel manual models represented about 17% of all used models sold.
• Petrol Automatic variants of the City contributed another 17% to total sales.

• Petrol Manual Honda City variants accounted for a staggering 66%, demonstrating the clear preference.

   

Why The Honda City Petrol Manual Ruled

Our internal data highlights that affordability and driver engagement continue to shape used car purchases in India. Petrol variants offer lower running costs compared to diesel, and the manual transmission helps keep the upfront purchase price lower than CVT-equipped models. Indian buyers — especially in smaller cities and towns — still value the direct connection with the drivetrain that second hand manual cars offer, particularly in a car like the Honda City that has a reputation for smooth gear shifts.

Automatics Gaining Ground, Slowly

While manuals led by a significant margin, automatic Citys have slowly chipped away at the manual’s dominance over the past few years. 14.66% of all used car sales in 2024 were automatic models, while the demand for the Honda City with the automatic transmission was higher than average. Although the percentage increase is small, it reflects a gradual mindset shift, particularly in metros where traffic congestion encourages automatic adoption.

Demand for Used Honda City Automatic Records Steady Growth

The manual transmission’s dominance has remained unshaken since 2021, but the gap between manual and automatic versions has shrunk marginally. Here’s how the market shaped up over the past four years:

Manual vs Automatic Trend Analysis

• 2021: Manuals held 88.26%, leaving just 11.74% for automatics.
• 2022: Manuals slipped slightly to 86.20%, with automatics gaining to 13.80%.
• 2023: Manuals dipped to 84.6%, automatics rose to 15.4%.

• 2024: Manuals settled at 84.1%, automatics claimed 15.9%.

   

Key Observations

• Manuals remain the clear favourite, consistently above 84% across all four years.
• Automatic transmission’s share grew incrementally each year.

• Buyer confidence in automatic technology, especially the CVT paired with the petrol engine, increased between 2021 and 2024.

   

Factors Influencing This Shift

• Urban buyers’ growing desire for convenience.
• Traffic congestion in major cities, where automatic transmissions provide stress-free driving.

• Honda’s reputation for offering reliable CVTs with acceptable fuel efficiency.

   

Despite these factors, the Honda City’s manual versions continue to command loyalty, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where affordability and driving pleasure outweigh the convenience of used automatic cars.

Honda City Engine and Transmission options

Since 2010, the Honda City has offered a range of powertrains suited to varying buyer preferences. Here’s a closer look at what’s been available in the used car market.

Petrol Engine Option

1. 1.5-litre i-VTEC Petrol

    

   • Power: 117 hp
   • Torque: 145 Nm
   • Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual (BS6 models), CVT automatic

   • Notable Traits: Rev-happy engine, great refinement, impressive city and highway performance.

      

Diesel Engine Option (Introduced in 2014)

1. 1.5-litre i-DTEC Diesel

    

   • Power: 100 hp
   • Torque: 200 Nm
   • Transmission: 6-speed manual

   • Notable Traits: Excellent fuel efficiency, torquey mid-range, best suited for long highway drives.

      

Transmission Details

• 5-speed Manual (Pre-2019 petrol models): Slick shifts, light clutch.
• 6-speed Manual (BS6 petrol and diesel models): Wider spread of ratios for better highway efficiency.

• CVT Automatic: Focused on smoothness, offers paddle shifters on higher trims for some manual control.

   

Key Considerations for Buyers

• Manuals offer better control and cost less, both upfront and for repairs.
• CVTs provide smooth power delivery but may feel rubbery under hard acceleration.

• Diesel Manual combination appeals to long-distance drivers prioritising efficiency.

   

Used Honda City sells for ₹8.25 lakh on average

The Honda City enjoys one of the strongest resale values among used sedans in India, thanks to its reputation for reliability, spacious cabin, and refined engines.

Key Takeaways

• With an average used selling price of ₹8.25 lakh, the City remains a top choice for buyers looking for a reliable, premium-feeling sedan.
• Unlike many other C-segment sedans that suffer heavy depreciation, the City’s resale value remains strong, especially for well-maintained examples.
• The Petrol CVT City has an average used price of ₹8.38 lakh, higher than its manual counterpart.
• Buyers in metro cities are driving up automatic City prices, but in non-metro areas, manuals are still preferred for their affordability and ease of maintenance.
• Diesel-powered Citys have held onto their value surprisingly well, given the declining demand for diesel cars in India.
• With an average resale price of ₹6.67 lakh, diesel manuals remain a practical choice for highway drivers.
• Over the years, Honda has increased the new City’s ex-showroom price, now ranging from ₹11.82 lakh to ₹16.55 lakh for petrol and ₹5.98 lakh to ₹8.05 lakh for diesel (when it was available new).
• As new cars become more expensive, demand for used Citys has surged, keeping resale values high, especially for recent models with low mileage.
• Unlike many sedans that suffer major depreciation after 5-7 years, the Honda City retains strong demand across multiple generations.

Trends Influencing Resale Value

• Manual variants (both petrol and diesel) command lower resale prices than automatics.
• Automatics fetch higher average prices, mainly due to higher demand in metro areas.
• Diesel variants hold steady value among long-distance commuters, but declining diesel sales will eventually impact residuals.
• New car price increases indirectly push up used City prices, especially for manuals where supply is abundant but demand remains consistently high.

Conclusion

Despite the slow and steady rise of automatic variants, manual transmission retains its firm grip on the used Honda City market in India. Affordability, driving engagement, and widespread familiarity with manual gearboxes keep the manual City the top choice, particularly in non-metro areas. 

However, as urban congestion worsens and automatic technology continues improving, the balance may shift further — especially among petrol-powered Citys equipped with Honda’s well-regarded CVT. For now, though, the manual Honda City reigns supreme in the used car space, with a legacy built on reliability, performance, and affordability.