Verdict
The RM12,000 step from the RM99,900 petrol City to the RM111,900 hybrid City buys much lower claimed consumption of 3.7 L/100 km versus 5.6 L/100 km, a 108 hp/253 Nm electric motor and 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time. It also gets adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow and an electronic parking brake. But the petrol City carries 109 litres more luggage at 519 litres and reaches 195 km/h rather than 177 km/h. For most buyers, the hybrid’s economy and stronger low-speed shove justify the premium only if they cover enough kilometres to exploit them.
Pick the Honda City if you want to spend RM12,000 less and need the larger 519-litre boot.
Pick the Honda City if lower 3.7 L/100 km claimed consumption, 253 Nm motor torque and Low Speed Follow matter more than boot space.
Key differences
- Price: RM99,900 petrol City versus RM111,900 hybrid City.
- Powertrain: 119 hp and 145 Nm 1.5-litre petrol versus 97 hp and 127 Nm 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine plus a 108 hp, 253 Nm motor.
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds versus 9.7 seconds.
- Rated economy: 5.6 L/100 km versus 3.7 L/100 km.
- Boot space: 519 litres versus 410 litres.
- Cruise control and parking brake: adaptive cruise control with handbrake versus adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow and electronic parking brake.
1.5 RS
- RM12,000 cheaper.
- Larger 519-litre boot.
- Higher 195 km/h top speed.
- Uses 5.6 L/100 km versus 3.7 L/100 km claimed.
- Slower 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive cruise control lacks Low Speed Follow and it retains a handbrake.
1.5 e:HEV RS
- 3.7 L/100 km claimed fuel economy.
- 108 hp and 253 Nm electric motor; 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow and an electronic parking brake.
- Costs RM12,000 more.
- 410-litre boot is 109 litres smaller.
- Lower 177 km/h top speed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM99,900✓ | RM111,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC | 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC (Atkinson Cycle) |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 97 hp at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm✓ | 127 Nm at 5,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 73 mm × 89.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 13.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 108 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 253 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.3 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | e-CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | 3.7 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h✓ | 177 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,594 mm | 4,594 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,134 kg | 1,245 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 410 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R57 | Toyo Proxes R57 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Berlina Black Turbine Alloys | 16" Berlina Black Turbine Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Berlina Black Turbine Alloys | 16" Berlina Black Turbine Alloys |
| Steering | Electric Power Steering | Electric Power Steering |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | ISOFIX i-Size | ISOFIX i-Size |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with CMBS | Yes, with CMBS |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING + Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitoring; ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam | Honda SENSING + Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitoring; ACC with Low Speed Follow, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | LED Projector, Auto |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Combination Leather | Combination Leather |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Red Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Red Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10" Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers, Wireless Charger | 10" Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers, Wireless Charger |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Remote Engine Start, Keyless Push Button | Remote Engine Start, Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-view Camera System (360) | Yes, with Multi-view Camera System (360) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Honda Connect, Remote Engine Start | Honda Connect, Remote Engine Start |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years | 8 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 years) | 10-year/unlimited-mileage hybrid battery and components warranty; 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 cars for sale
1.5 RS vs 1.5 e:HEV RS FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda City better?
The hybrid City is the better choice for fuel economy, quicker acceleration and Low Speed Follow. The petrol City is better if boot capacity and a RM12,000 lower outlay matter more.
What is the price difference?
The hybrid City costs RM12,000 more than the petrol City.
Which Honda City has the bigger boot?
The petrol City has the bigger boot at 519 litres, compared with 410 litres for the hybrid. That 109-litre advantage matters for frequent airport runs or family luggage.
