Verdict
The RM16,900 step up to the Aion ES buys a 55.2-kWh battery, 442-km claimed range and a 136-hp, 225-Nm front motor, plus a physically larger 4,810-mm body. It is not automatically the more practical sedan: the Honda City has a 519-litre boot against 450 litres and costs RM89,900. The City’s 119-hp, 145-Nm 1.5-litre petrol powertrain is less potent on paper, but it brings 5.6 L/100 km rated economy, Honda SENSING and unlimited-mileage eight-year warranty cover. Charging access is the deciding factor.
Pick the Aion ES if you can charge regularly and want 442 km of claimed EV range, 225 Nm and 3.3-kW V2L capability.
Pick the Honda City if you want to save RM16,900, carry more luggage and get Honda SENSING with an unlimited-mileage eight-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Aion ES RM106,800; Honda City RM89,900.
- Power and torque: Aion ES 136 hp and 225 Nm; Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- Energy use: Aion ES has a 55.2-kWh battery and 442-km claimed range; Honda City is rated at 5.6 L/100 km with a 40-litre petrol tank.
- Size: Aion ES is 4,810 mm long with a 2,750-mm wheelbase; Honda City is 4,577 mm long with a 2,600-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Aion ES 450 litres; Honda City 519 litres.
- Warranty mileage: Aion ES 8 years/160,000 km; Honda City 8 years/unlimited mileage.
ES
- 442-km claimed range from a 55.2-kWh battery.
- 136 hp and 225 Nm exceed the City’s stated outputs.
- 3.3-kW V2L and 60-kW DC charging.
- Costs RM16,900 more than the Honda City.
- 450-litre boot is 69 litres smaller than the City’s.
- Eight-year warranty is capped at 160,000 km, versus unlimited mileage for the City.
City
- RM89,900 entry price.
- 519-litre boot is larger than the Aion ES’s 450 litres.
- Honda SENSING includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Aion ES’s 136 hp and 225 Nm.
- 4,577-mm length and 2,600-mm wheelbase are shorter than the Aion ES’s 4,810 mm and 2,750 mm.
- RM90 annual road tax is RM20 higher than the Aion ES.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800 | RM89,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | — | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 73 mm × 89.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 442 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,577 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,116 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | 519 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | — | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 15" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 15" Alloys |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | LED Projector, Auto |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with Honda LaneWatch |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Remote Engine Start |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years | 8 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 years) |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used ES & City for sale
ES vs City FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Honda City better?
The Honda City is the better buy for lower upfront cost, a 519-litre boot and documented Honda SENSING equipment. Choose the Aion ES instead if home or workplace charging is available and its 442-km claimed range, 225 Nm and V2L matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Aion ES costs RM16,900 more than the Honda City: RM106,800 versus RM89,900.
How do the Aion ES and Honda City differ for long-distance use?
The Aion ES has a 442-km claimed EV range, 6.6-kW AC charging and 60-kW DC charging. The petrol City has a 40-litre tank and a rated consumption figure of 5.6 L/100 km, so it does not require charging stops.
