Verdict
At RM59,800, the Proton S70 costs RM30,100 less than the RM89,900 Honda City while bringing a 4,602 mm body, 2,627 mm wheelbase and 205/55R16 tyres. Its 150 Nm also edges the City’s 145 Nm, and its 50-litre tank is 10 litres larger. But the City fights back with a 519-litre boot, 19 litres more than the S70, plus Honda SENSING with adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance. For a Malaysian buyer, the S70 is the cheaper, larger-car proposition; the City is the safer-equipped one with longer eight-year warranty cover.
Pick the Honda City if Honda SENSING, LED projector headlamps, a 519-litre boot and eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than the RM30,100 saving.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want the lower RM59,800 entry price, a longer 2,627 mm wheelbase, 150 Nm and a 50-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM89,900; Proton S70 RM59,800.
- Torque: Honda City 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm; Proton S70 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Proton S70 2,627 mm.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Proton S70 500 litres.
- Fuel tank: Honda City 40 litres; Proton S70 50 litres.
- Warranty: Honda City 8 years/unlimited mileage; Proton S70 5 years/unlimited mileage.
City
- Honda SENSING includes AEB, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.
- 519-litre boot is 19 litres larger.
- Eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Costs RM30,100 more.
- Smaller 40-litre fuel tank versus 50 litres.
- Smaller 15-inch wheels with 185/60R15 tyres.
S70
- RM59,800 price is RM30,100 lower.
- 150 Nm torque and 50-litre fuel tank.
- Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and door-opening warning.
- No AEB, adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist.
- Halogen headlamps instead of LED projectors.
- Five-year warranty is three years shorter.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| 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 | 4,577 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | 1,269 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloys | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain 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 | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | Halogen |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air Conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC 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 | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Honda LaneWatch | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| 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) | 6x free labour servicing |
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 & S70 for sale
City vs S70 FAQ
Is the Honda City or Proton S70 better?
The Proton S70 is the stronger value choice at RM59,800, with more torque, a longer wheelbase and a larger tank. Choose the Honda City for Honda SENSING, LED projector headlamps, a larger boot and eight-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM89,900 and the Proton S70 costs RM59,800, so the Honda is RM30,100 more expensive.
Which has better safety equipment?
The Honda City has the fuller active-safety package: autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. The S70 instead has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning and door-opening warning.
