Verdict
At RM84,900, the Honda City costs RM4,900 less than the RM89,800 Proton X50, while its 519-litre boot is 189 litres larger despite the X50’s SUV body. The X50 fights back with 178 hp and 290 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time to 7.6 seconds versus the City’s 119 hp, 145 Nm and 10.2 seconds. For Malaysian buyers carrying family luggage and prioritising active safety, the City is the more rational buy; the X50 suits those who will use its much stronger turbo performance and richer cabin tech.
Pick the Honda City if you want the lower price, a 519-litre boot and autonomous braking with pedestrian, cyclist and nighttime detection.
Pick the Proton X50 if you want 178 hp, 290 Nm, a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a 14.6-inch touchscreen.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Proton X50 RM89,800.
- Output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Proton X50 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 10.2 seconds; Proton X50 7.6 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Proton X50 330 litres.
- Wheels: Honda City 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Proton X50 17-inch alloys with 215/60R17 tyres.
- Active safety: Honda City has autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction; Proton X50 has neither listed.
City
- RM4,900 lower purchase price and RM90 annual road tax.
- 519-litre boot, 189 litres larger than the X50’s.
- Autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus lane-keeping steering correction.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the X50’s 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower.
- 15-inch wheels, manual air-conditioning and a four-speaker audio system are less lavish.
X50
- 178 hp and 290 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo engine.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- 14.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers and navigation.
- RM4,900 dearer to buy, with RM120 annual road tax versus RM90.
- 330-litre boot is 189 litres smaller than the City’s.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed, where the City has both.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM89,800 |
| 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 | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 178 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 7DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Geely |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 7.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,380 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,609 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,351 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 330 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | GitiComfort F50 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 14.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| 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 | 6 Times 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 & X50 for sale
City vs X50 FAQ
Is the Honda City or Proton X50 better?
The Honda City is the better all-round choice for boot space, lower running tax and active safety. Choose the Proton X50 instead if its 178 hp turbo performance, 7.6-second sprint and larger touchscreen matter more than cargo capacity.
What is the price difference?
The Proton X50 costs RM4,900 more than the Honda City. Its annual road tax is also RM30 higher: RM120 versus RM90.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda City has the bigger boot at 519 litres, compared with 330 litres in the Proton X50. That is a 189-litre advantage for the sedan.
