The 2020 Honda City first surfaced in Thailand in November 2019, and the fifth-generation sedan made its debut in the country as an eco car. Previous versions of the City weren’t in that eco-friendly budget category, but Honda made the choice to eco car the City this time round, joining the new Nissan Almera and Toyota Yaris Ativ.
As a Phase 2 eco car, the new City had to fulfil certain requirements, such as Euro 5 compliance, CO2 emissions below 100 g/km, and fuel consumption not exceeding 4.3 litres per 100 km (23.25 km/l). To do so, Honda gave the B-segment sedan a 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine. The three-cylinder DOHC unit makes 122 PS and 173 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm.
Nissan did the same for the Almera, which also surfaced in the Land of Smiles in November last year. The all-new sedan’s 1.0L three-pot turbo does 100 hp and 152 Nm of torque, the latter available from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm.
Naturally, the Thai City’s move to turbo power led to excitement here as well. It wouldn’t be unprecedented, as Honda is a downsized turbo pioneer in the Japanese brand mass market segment here (Civic, Accord and CR-V have all moved away from NA engines), but VTEC Turbo in one of the brand’s entry level models – really?
As Malaysia does not have an equivalent eco car programme, which by the way requires substantial incentives to be dished out to carmakers, there’s no real need for Honda Malaysia to go the turbo route for the City and Jazz. In fact, simplicity and tried/tested powertrains might even be a desired thing in this segment, and the naturally aspirated 1.5L i-VTEC and CVT combo is far from broke.
That’s the case in India, where the 2020 Honda City is set to be launched later this month. Local reports based on a leaked spec sheet reveal six locally assembled petrol variants with two transmission options (MT and CVT) and three trim levels (V, VX, ZX). The engine in question isn’t the 1.0L turbo but a 1.5L NA engine. The BS-VI (Bharat 6, India’s emissions standard) i-VTEC makes 121 PS.
As before, India will get a diesel option in the form of a 1.5L i-DTEC unit, upgraded to meet BS-VI standards. Word is that it won’t be manual-only this time, and there will be a diesel CVT variant. The oil burner could either be a launch option or it could be introduced further down the line.
Our guess is that the Malaysian market 2020 Honda City – which has been spotted testing and will surely be coming in the not too distant future – will continue with NA power instead of going the turbo route. Bearing in mind the segment, target market and cost – which do you think will be a better route, NA or turbo?
The new 2020 Honda City boasts a bigger body as well as Honda’s latest family look – specs, gallery and videos here.
GALLERY: 2020 Honda City 1.0L Turbo RS, Thai-spec
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Finish Honda Malaysia and their arrogant attitude that gives a car with many issues on quality and aftersales services. Even upcoming City Turbo and other Honda models doesn’t have AEB, land departure warning and blind spot monitor. Nobody will touch this brand. Salesman will start crying. So called as “Power of Nightmare Cars”
As majority in Malaysia fed up of driving honda cars because too many quality issues on newer Honda models after bought for less than 1 year. When go to aftersales service, people also complaining most of the aftersales service dealer. Cannot solve. Shows that technicians are having half past six, lying, didn’t repair at all, never repair other peoples car at all.
Yet, some of them are still buying Honda cars with brainless. Also, come here hating kimchi cars with low resale value and hating mazda. Just look at safety specs, most of Honda models are really kosong spec. Compare to Mazda, Toyota and Hyundai Ioniq comes with blind spot monitor, AEB, land departure warning and others. No wonder, many mazda CX-5 and Proton X70 everywhere than looking Honda CRV is now rare.
Malaysians rather buy mazda. This comes with 5 years warranty as Honda. Bermaz service is better and they already improved their service than honda. Even CKD Mazda CX-5 looks so so but better than most Honda models. So Honda Malaysia is dead.
There are several reasons of why many people are not buying new gen city including other honda models. As for today, can see that honda price already increase for certain honda models with low quality and low service standards. Yet, ex honda owners are also paying high cost for maintenance and spare parts for service especially for going to honda workshop again & again. This also causes that honda parts is under warranty which can last less than a year only and not even 5 years warranty.
Aside that, mazda price is also like honda price. Seems like mazda is getting more premium japanese brand. Even though it is reliable, therefore, just beware that mazda warranty under bermaz will not last long which is also like honda. Heard that some of mazda owners from cx5 & 3 also complain that there is issue on fuel pump and other spare parts you might not know. And ended up, needed to go to mazda workshop again & again too.
To prevent from money that you spend. Recommended to buy p1/p2/dreamedge/toyota/mitsubishi/lexus/
One more thing, for rich will buy bmw/volvo/jaguar/land rover/lexus so that you can save your money for buying food & drinks and other important stuff
Now with this tough time, all got to be strong. Pity all the car sales personnel. Their income is going to hit very badly from already bad sales.
Lucky now the key board warrior has no income from employer to keep sending fake and copy and paste news.
Just get Toyota Vios rather than this newly overpriced new gen City
Vios not overpriced?
https://paultan.org/2020/02/21/honda-malaysia-issues-5-9-price-increase-for-2020-city-up-rm4-6k-jazz-up-rm5k-cr-v-up-rm12-7k/
Toyota Vios is cheaper than Honda City for now
I would buy a vios/yaris if i’m blind and have no taste in cars.
Or just being a Toyota fanboy. Because automatically they are blind and tasteless in cars.
Seriously, that’s only you bro. Only Ah Beng will buy City & Jazz and have no taste in this & jazz
Turbo or not, Honda cars are uniquely “K” (kosong) spec when they reach Malaysia.
One thing for sure, the selling price will definitely higher than before.