Since its introduction in 2021, the Honda City Hatchback has filled that empty void where the Jazz used to stand. As an enthusiast and owner of the subcompact hatchback, I find it a shame that the fourth generation was never destined for the Southeast Asian market.

Regardless, Honda still soldiers on in the segment with a new facelift for the sole RS model. Following from its launch last month, Honda Cars Philippines invited the media for a northern expressway drive to put the car to its paces while dropping by two of the brand’s unique dealerships.

Our journey began in Honda Cars Manila Bay where the media was greeted with two fresh units of the City Hatchback RS. Despite the early call time, everyone including HCPI president Rie Miyake was bright and excited for the trip ahead while also talking about the slightly redesigned hatch.

We hopped onto our assigned vehicles after a typical pictorial outside the dealership. Since only two test units of the hatch were available, four sedan units were also part of the convoy. For the first leg, I was entrusted to drive the City V I had reviewed before to familiarize myself again with the engine and the safety tech.

Stepping into the City Hatchback feels no different from the sedan, except the RS has paddle shifters. Stomping on the 1.5-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine gave all of its 119hp and 145Nm along NLEX, and rowing your own simulated CVT gears picked up the pace which helped me catch up with the convoy.

An element I didn’t bring up in the City V was the front passenger seat. Its shape is too curved for my liking, and I had to adjust to multiple positions until I had to settle for the acceptable.

While it shouldn’t be seen as a deal-breaker, those seeking better back comfort, especially on long trips, might want to opt for the RS model’s leather seats.

A pack of City sedans and hatches arrived at our first stop, Honda Cars Angeles-Clark. First opened in 2017, this branch boasts a 270° panoramic window display for a brighter and more open feel for customers inside and outside. We basked in the sunlight—whether we liked it or not—while having a light snack before our lunch at Kynd Dining.

Along the way was a city and light mountainous cruise where the City’s handling shone as any Honda enthusiast would expect. Going up the densely populated road was nothing for the subcompact parade, gaining confidence in squeezing through tight gaps and tricycles.

Having Honda Sensing as standard for all City models is a welcome addition to this era of consumer safety. While it’s no surprise seeing it in a contemporary passenger vehicle, the cruise control worked sublimely in tandem with the lane-keep assist and the lane-departure warning, giving that reassurance on major expressways.

Besides that, the eight-inch infotainment system never failed to entertain, providing the same high-quality fidelity and connection to Android Auto (yes, not all of us at VISOR are Apple geeks). The four-inch TFT meter within the analog cluster showed numerical figures and Honda Sensing illustrations in vivid clarity.

Our second and last stop was a huge surprise, mainly for those who hadn’t been to Honda Cars Baliuag. On the outside, the all-white facility appeared like any other dealership in the metro, but its customer lounge felt like I was teleported to Japan.

Walking past the display vehicles, we were delighted by a wooden Japanese-inspired cabin surrounded by greenery, torii gates, and a pond. The interior felt so cozy and relaxing that customers might find their inner zen while waiting for their vehicle to be serviced.

After a quick trip from another world, we stepped out into the sweltering heat and headed back to the capital. The drive overall helped reflect what the City Hatchback RS was made to do—amazing driving dynamics for the price of P1,189,000.

For those looking to spice it up further, anyone can order optional extras for either convenience (door visor, cargo tray, and rear seat protector) or style (Modulo aero parts). Like its sedan sibling, it’s still a great first car for new owners looking for seamless connectivity and reliable safety.