Verdict
At RM89,900, the Honda City is the rational Malaysian daily driver: its 5.6 L/100 km rated economy, RM90 annual road tax and eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty keep running costs in check. The RM178,200 Honda CR-V costs RM88,300 more, but brings a 2.0-litre petrol hybrid system with two motors rated at 181 hp and 335 Nm, an 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time, 589 litres of boot space and a more useful SUV body. Pick on budget and space, not badges.
Pick the Honda City if lower purchase cost, 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and an eight-year warranty matter more than SUV space.
Pick the Honda CR-V if you need 589 litres of boot space, a faster 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time and hybrid motor assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM89,900; Honda CR-V RM178,200.
- Performance: Honda City 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds; Honda CR-V in 8.9 seconds.
- Rated fuel economy: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km; Honda CR-V 7.0 L/100 km.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Honda CR-V 589 litres.
- Dimensions: Honda City 4,577 mm long and 1,748 mm wide; Honda CR-V 4,691 mm long and 1,866 mm wide.
- Road tax: Honda City RM90 per year; Honda CR-V RM437 per year.
City
- RM88,300 cheaper to buy.
- Lower 5.6 L/100 km rated fuel use.
- Eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Slower 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time versus 8.9 seconds.
- 519-litre boot is 70 litres smaller.
- Six airbags versus the CR-V's eight.
CR-V
- Two motors produce 181 hp and 335 Nm.
- 589-litre boot and reclining, sliding rear seats.
- Eight airbags, blind spot information system and front parking sensors.
- Costs RM88,300 more.
- Higher 7.0 L/100 km rated fuel consumption.
- RM437 annual road tax and a five-year warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900✓ | RM178,200 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM437 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm | 146 hp at 6,100 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 190 Nm at 4,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 81 mm × 96.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 13.9 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 8.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km✓ | 7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,577 mm | 4,691 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,866 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,681 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,701 mm |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | 1,616 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 57 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 589 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags) |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Honda LaneWatch | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 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 City & CR-V for sale
City vs CR-V FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda CR-V better?
The Honda City is better for lower ownership costs, with 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and RM90 road tax. The Honda CR-V is better for cargo capacity, performance and equipment, with a 589-litre boot, 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time and eight airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Honda CR-V costs RM88,300 more than the Honda City. That gap brings a petrol-hybrid system with two motors, a larger 589-litre boot, 18-inch wheels and more safety and convenience equipment.
Which Honda has the lower running costs?
The Honda City has the lower listed running costs: 5.6 L/100 km rated fuel economy and RM90 annual road tax, against the Honda CR-V's 7.0 L/100 km and RM437.
