What automatic transmission is in Honda City?
The Honda City’s automatic option is a CVT. For petrol (non-hybrid) models, Honda uses its Earth Dreams CVT; for the City e:HEV hybrid, the system is an e-CVT. There is no conventional torque-converter automatic in the current City lineup.
Across generations and markets, Honda has leaned on CVTs to maximize efficiency and smoothness in the City family. The following sections explain what that means for riders today.
Automatic transmissions used in today’s Honda City
Note the two main automatic configurations you’ll encounter in the current City lineup:
- Petrol City variants: Earth Dreams CVT (continuously variable transmission) with a wide, belt-and-pulley setup. Some trims include a manual-mode/shift-simulated feature (often via paddle shifters or steering-wheel controls) to mimic stepped gears and sporty feel.
- City e:HEV (hybrid): an electric continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) that blends gasoline and electric motor output without fixed gears, optimized for efficiency and smooth acceleration.
In practice, most buyers in today’s market will interact with either the Earth Dreams CVT on non-hybrid variants or the e-CVT on the hybrid, depending on the trim and market. The current lineup does not use a traditional torque-converter automatic transmission.
How CVT and e-CVT work in the City
CVTs (Continuous Variable Transmissions) provide a seamless range of gear ratios, which helps optimize fuel economy and steady acceleration without distinct gear changes. Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT aims to balance responsiveness with efficiency, often offering a sportier “S” or manual mode in certain trims to simulate gearing. The City e:HEV’s e-CVT integrates the internal combustion engine with an electric motor system, delivering power through a single, effectively seamless gear ratio that adapts to driving conditions.
Petrol City: Earth Dreams CVT
The petrol City models pair the 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT. Drivers typically experience smooth, uninterrupted acceleration, with occasional sport-mode or paddle-shift inputs to provide a more engaging feel in city and highway driving. Efficiency and low-end responsiveness are common selling points for this setup.
City e:HEV: Hybrid with e-CVT
The hybrid variant pairs an electric motor with the petrol engine through an e-CVT. This system prioritizes efficiency and seamless power delivery, often prioritizing electric motor drive at low speeds and switching to the engine as needed for performance or charging. In daily use, it tends to feel very smooth, with little sense of fixed gears.
What to check when shopping for a Honda City
If you’re unsure which transmission your City has, verify the exact trim and powertrain configuration in the vehicle’s documentation. Look for terms like Earth Dreams CVT (petrol) or e-CVT (hybrid) in the spec sheet, and note that paddle shifters or sport modes are typically available only on specific trims.
Summary
Today’s Honda City lineup relies on two automatic transmission configurations: Earth Dreams CVT for petrol variants and e-CVT for the City hybrid. There is no conventional torque-converter automatic in the current lineup, and buyers should expect smooth, efficient operation with either CVT-based system. Always check the exact trim for your market to confirm the transmission type and available driving modes.
What transmission does Honda City use?
The engines are paired to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
Is the Honda CVT better than the regular automatic?
CVT systems works to adjust to any diameter, providing an infinite range of gear ratios. Honda CVTs are praised for their smooth driving experience and fuel efficiency when compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
Does Honda City have CVT?
1.5L DOHC i-VTEC in Honda City is available in 7-speed CVT and 6-speed MT.
Are all Hondas now CVT?
Throughout the Honda lineup, nearly every model can be equipped with either a traditional automatic transmission or a CVT. A CVT, or continuously variable transmission, functions in a similar fashion as a conventional automatic.
