According to the latest industrial property gazette, several Honda automotive design details have been registered for protection in Vietnam. Comparing them to the 2026 Honda City currently sold in some Southeast Asian markets, these details share many similarities with the new sedan model.
The 2026 Honda City may soon arrive in Vietnam.
The 2026 Honda City was launched in Thailand in May 2026. Applications for industrial design protection for certain parts of the vehicle in Vietnam were filed in late 2025.
This move raises the possibility that Honda is preparing to bring a significantly upgraded version of the City to the Vietnamese market.
The 5th generation Honda City has been on the market for about 6 years, while the most recent upgrade was introduced about 3 years ago. This is considered an opportune time for this B-segment sedan to receive another refresh.
Meanwhile, rivals like the Hyundai Accent and Toyota Vios haven't seen many significant changes recently either.
The design has changed drastically.
In Thailand, the 2026 Honda City is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. However, if it is brought to Vietnam, it is highly likely that the model will still only be available in sedan configuration, as it is currently.
The 2026 Honda City coming to Vietnam may only be available in sedan version - Photo: Honda
In the new version, the front of the car has been redesigned with headlights using new lenses instead of the previous projector type. The grille and front bumper have also been refined to be more sporty .
The LED light strip at the front creates a striking visual effect with its elongated design connecting the two sides of the front of the car. At the rear, the taillight cluster retains its familiar design but is finished in a smoky color, while the rear bumper has also been redesigned.
The 2026 Honda City sedan has dimensions of 4,553 x 1,748 x 1,467 (mm) in length, width, and height respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,589mm and a ground clearance of 135mm.
The exterior design changes are mainly focused on the front end - Photo: Honda
The interior has also been significantly upgraded. The centerpiece is a 10-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The car also features decorative ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and an electronic parking brake, giving the cabin a more modern feel.
The biggest changes to the car's interior are in the screen and the electronic parking brake system - Photo: Honda
Hybrid engines can be used in Vietnam.
In Thailand, the 2026 Honda City offers two powertrain options. The first is a 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine producing 122 horsepower and 173Nm of torque, paired with a CVT transmission and front-wheel drive.
The second option is the e:HEV hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 98-horsepower 1.5L Atkinson gasoline engine and two electric motors. The electric motor unit delivers 109 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque, paired with an e-CVT transmission and a lithium-ion battery.
With this powertrain, the Honda City e:HEV is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds.
If Honda brings a hybrid version to Vietnam, the City will have an added competitive advantage in the context of the increasing number of electrified models appearing in the B-segment sedan market.
Hybrid products are gradually gaining attention in Vietnam. Therefore, it's not out of the question that Honda might bring a hybrid version to the country. - Photo: Honda
In terms of safety, the 2026 Honda City in Thailand is equipped with the Honda SENSING safety technology package, which includes many driver assistance features.
This list includes adaptive high beams, lane departure mitigation and lane keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, low-speed adaptive cruise control, forward vehicle departure warning, and LaneWatch camera.
The fact that some details of the 2026 Honda City have been registered for protection in Vietnam is noteworthy, even though Honda Vietnam has not yet announced plans to launch this model.