Verdict
At RM84,900, the Honda City costs RM5,000 less than the RM89,900 Honda WR-V, yet it is the quicker and thriftier choice: 0-100 km/h takes 10.2 seconds versus 11.0, while rated consumption is 5.6 versus 6.0 L/100 km. Its 519-litre boot also dwarfs the WR-V’s 380 litres. The WR-V answers with SUV bodywork, 16-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Choose based on cabin access and equipment, not power; the WR-V’s 121 hp advantage is only 2 hp.
Pick the Honda City if you want the lower purchase price, a 519-litre boot, 10.2-second acceleration and rear curtain airbags.
Pick the Honda WR-V if you prefer an SUV body, blind-spot monitoring, foglamps and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Honda WR-V RM89,900.
- Acceleration: Honda City 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds; Honda WR-V in 11.0 seconds.
- Rated fuel economy: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km; Honda WR-V 6.0 L/100 km.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Honda WR-V 380 litres.
- Length: Honda City 4,580 mm; Honda WR-V 4,060 mm.
- Airbags: Honda City has front and rear curtain airbags; Honda WR-V has front side airbags only.
City
- RM5,000 cheaper to buy
- 519-litre boot, 139 litres larger
- Quicker 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time and 5.6 L/100 km rating
- No blind-spot information system
- No front or rear foglamps
- 15-inch wheels versus the WR-V’s 16-inch alloys
WR-V
- Blind-spot information system and front/rear foglamps
- 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- SUV body with 16-inch alloy wheels
- Costs RM5,000 more
- 380-litre boot is 139 litres smaller
- Slower 11.0-second 0-100 km/h time and higher 6.0 L/100 km rating
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM89,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 121 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds✓ | 11.0 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km✓ | 6.0 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,060 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,576 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,485 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,108 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 380 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | 16" Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| 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 2 Outer Rear 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 | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 7.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 2 Speakers |
| 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five 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 & WR-V for sale
City vs WR-V FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda WR-V better?
The Honda City is the stronger all-round buy for luggage space, fuel use, acceleration and rear curtain airbags. The Honda WR-V is the better fit if its SUV body, blind-spot monitoring, foglamps and smartphone-connected touchscreen matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda WR-V costs RM5,000 more than the Honda City. It also carries RM120 annual road tax, compared with RM90 for the City.
Which has better safety equipment, the Honda City or Honda WR-V?
The City has front and rear curtain airbags and autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection. The WR-V adds a blind-spot information system, but its listed airbags are driver, passenger and front side units.
