City (1981 to Present)

The Honda City (produced since 1981) has lived two lives in Australia: first as a quirky "Tallboy" hatchback in the 1980s, and later as a sensible subcompact sedan. In the 2026 Australian market, the City is a tale of two extremes; market values for a 1980s AA-series hatchback typically range from $8,500 to $15,000 AUD, while the legendary Turbo II "Bulldog" wide-body—especially when paired with its original Motocompo folding scooter—can command a significant premium between $35,000 and $58,000 AUD. Conversely, the modern GM series sedans (2009–2020) remain practical used-car staples, with values sitting between $12,000 and $22,000 AUD depending on mileage. The desirability of the early models has spiked due to the "Radwood" movement and their unique space-efficient design, attracting a buyer pool of retro-JDM collectors, urban commuters, and niche tech enthusiasts. Locally, liquidity is highest for the RA-series Turbo imports and the final 2020 VTi-L sedans, as 2026 buyers prioritise original 80s interiors (like the "zebra" print) or the fuel-efficient i-VTEC reliability of the modern era.

The Honda City (produced since 1981) has lived two lives in Australia: first as a quirky "Tallboy" hatchback in the 1980s, and later as a sensible subcompact sedan. In the 2026 Australian market, the City is a tale of two extremes; market values for a 1980s AA-series hatchback typically range from $8,500 to $15,000 AUD, while the legendary Turbo II "Bulldog" wide-body—especially when paired with its original Motocompo folding scooter—can command a significant premium between $35,000 and $58,000 … Read more