Honda City ZX also comes with the latest version of original Honda Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) engine that employs compact combustion chambers and new design intake port with Narrow Valve angles for Rapid Combustion and reduced friction leading to compatibility of fuel economy and powerful dynamic run.

For maximum engine performance at low engine speeds, the valves need to open and close differently than they do at higher engine speeds. VTEC system is engineering features to change valve timing and lift parameters in response to engine speed characteristics. Its action allows combustion properties to match the demands of current engine operating conditions to the perfection possible, hence delivering both high performance and high efficiency. 100PS, 5800 RPM, alloy wheels and disc brakes give superior performance making driving a sheer pleasure.

Each valve in an engine employing VTEC system is assigned a number of individually shaped cam lobes. These are all formed on the same camshaft and, through the implementation of electronic control, are switched in response to engine conditions using hydraulic pressure, thus enabling the above-mentioned features to be realized.

The 16-valve SOHC VTEC engine powering the City ZX has been provided with high speed and low speed cams with different profiles on the intake camshaft. Like its DOHC counterpart, the low-speed cam operates valves in low and mid–speed range and high-speed cam operates in the high-speed range (only for the intake valves in this case). This technique allows the engine to offer the best possible combination of ease-of-driving in everyday driving speeds, high power at high speeds and fuel efficiency.

At low rpm - Only 1 intake valve opens to let the air swirl in, resulting in clean burn and good fuel economy at low engine speeds.

At high rpm - Both the intake valves open at full lift to let the mixture of intake flow in totally, giving high power at high engine speeds.