Is Honda City CVT or DCT?
In short, the Honda City uses a CVT automatic in virtually all markets, and the hybrid City employs an e-CVT. A traditional dual‑clutch transmission (DCT) is not offered for the City in current lineups.
The question matters because transmission type shapes how the car feels on the road, its efficiency, maintenance costs, and purchase price. Honda has consistently paired the City’s gasoline variants with a CVT to prioritize urban smoothness and fuel economy, while the hybrid version uses a dedicated e-CVT system designed for hybrid efficiency. DCTs, though used in other Honda models, have not been extended to the City sedan in recent years.
Current transmission setup for the Honda City
The City’s main variants are powered by a CVT automatic, and the hybrid version uses an e-CVT, as described below.
- Gasoline/non-hybrid City variants: CVT automatic (Continuously Variable Transmission).
- City e:HEV (hybrid): e-CVT (electronic CVT tailored for hybrids).
There is no official DCT option for the City in major markets as of 2024–2025; buyers seeking a DCT would typically look to other Honda models such as the Civic or HR-V where those transmissions are offered in certain regions.
Why Honda keeps CVT for the City
Honda’s City is positioned as a practical urban sedan. The CVT helps deliver smooth acceleration and strong real-world fuel economy, while keeping costs and packaging favorable for a compact car. DCTs can add complexity and cost, which doesn’t align with the City’s value-oriented, city-focused brief. For customers seeking a sportier feel via a DCT, Honda offers other models in different segments rather than a DCT City variant.
Summary
The Honda City is predominantly equipped with a CVT automatic in its gasoline variants, with the hybrid City using an e-CVT. A DCT option is not available for the City in current markets; Honda reserves DCT for other models. For buyers interested in a DCT within Honda’s lineup, alternatives like the Civic are available in markets where those transmissions are offered.
