Honda City Drival Looks Like A Mini Type R With None Of The Bite

Sadly, the Drival doesn’t get a power boost or a sharper suspension, and is exclusively available with a hybrid powertrain and a CVT

The Honda City may not have earned a reputation for sizzling hot variants like the Civic Type R, but Honda is giving it a stylish upgrade with a new limited-edition version. Enter the Honda City Drival, a fresh take on the popular hatch in Asian markets that builds on the e:HEV RS trim with some added sporty flair.

This special edition comes exclusively in Pearl White, complemented by bold gloss black accents throughout. The standout feature here is the body kit, which adds a front splitter, side skirts, rear bumper extension with a diffuser, and a notably large rear wing.

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In terms of wheels, the Drival is equipped with a fresh set of 16-inch alloys that complete the look. Honda’s decision to ditch chrome accents pays off here, with the grille, badges, roof, and mirrors all given a glossy black finish. Inside, the cabin matches the exterior’s vibe, featuring black upholstery with red accents and stitching.

Since the Drival is based on the high-spec e:HEV RS trim, it’s no surprise that it comes well-equipped on the tech front. Drivers get an 8-inch infotainment display, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, an eight-speaker sound system, and automatic climate control. The model also boasts a handful of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, which are becoming standard in most modern vehicles.

Unfortunately, the updates don’t extend to the performance side of things. Under the hood, you’ll still find the same e:HEV hybrid setup as before—a 1.5-liter engine delivering 97 hp (72 kW), paired with a single electric motor making 108 hp (80 kW). All that power is routed to the front wheels via an e-CVT.

The new Honda City Drival Edition is priced from ฿829,000 ($24,400) in Thailand, making it the most expensive trim of the series. For comparison, the entry-level City S+ starts at ฿599,000 ($17,600), while the flagship City e:HEV RS costs ฿799,000 ($23,500).

The current generation of the Honda City sedan made its debut in 2019, followed by the hatchback in 2020. Both have seen mid-lifecycle updates in 2023 and 2024. The Honda City is available across multiple markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, offering a budget-friendly alternative to models like the Civic.

Honda Thailand