Verdict
At RM85,900 against RM33,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM52,000 more, but brings a 119 hp/145 Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder versus the Axia’s 67 hp/91 Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder. It is 590 mm longer and has 289 litres of boot space to the Axia’s 265 litres, while six airbags, Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control give it the stronger safety-assistance brief. The Axia weighs 865 kg against 1,149 kg and its RM20 annual road tax is RM70 lower. For Malaysians keeping the purchase and annual tax bill down, that gap matters.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want 119 hp, six airbags, Honda Sensing and a larger 289-litre boot.
Pick the Perodua Axia if keeping the upfront cost and RM20 yearly road tax as low as possible matters more than power and driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Perodua Axia RM33,900
- Power and torque: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp and 145 Nm; Perodua Axia 67 hp and 91 Nm
- Length: Honda City Hatchback 4,350 mm; Perodua Axia 3,760 mm
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Perodua Axia 265 litres
- Airbags: Honda City Hatchback six; Perodua Axia two
- Annual road tax: Honda City Hatchback RM90; Perodua Axia RM20
City Hatchback
- 119 hp and 145 Nm from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine
- Six airbags, Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control
- 289-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding ULTRA Seat
- RM52,000 more expensive
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM20
- 1,149 kg versus the Axia’s 865 kg
Axia
- RM52,000 lower purchase price
- RM20 annual road tax
- 865 kg kerb weight with a 2,525 mm wheelbase
- 67 hp and 91 Nm versus 119 hp and 145 Nm
- Two airbags versus six, with no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- 265-litre boot versus 289 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900 | RM33,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM20✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 998 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 67 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm✓ | 91 Nm at 4,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 71 mm × 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | D-CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 25.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 3,760 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,525 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 865 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres✓ | 265 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Full Size 14" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 14" 8-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 14" 8-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 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 City Hatchback & Axia for sale
City Hatchback vs Axia FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Perodua Axia better?
The Honda City Hatchback is the better-equipped and more powerful car, with 119 hp, six airbags, Honda Sensing and a 289-litre boot. The Axia makes more sense if RM33,900 pricing and RM20 annual road tax are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM52,000 more than the Perodua Axia.
Which one has better safety equipment?
The Honda City Hatchback has the stronger safety package: six airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning and lane-keeping steering correction. The Perodua Axia has two airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
