2020 Honda City 1.5L – full spec-by-spec comparison

Honda Malaysia launched the new 2020 Honda City this morning, and the latest iteration of the popular B-segment sedan is off to a flying start with 5,000 bookings collected. The household name is available in four variants – three of them are powered by a 1.5L naturally-aspirated engine, while the other is the world debut of the City RS i-MMD hybrid.

The RS’ i-MMD system – which replaces the previous generation i-DCD – consists of a 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine (98 PS/127 Nm) and two motors. The ICE functions mainly as a generator with the help of an integrated electric motor, which also acts as a starter. A larger second motor, which churns out 108 PS and 253 Nm, sends drive to the wheels. However, the engine can provide direct drive during high speeds as it’s more efficient than the motor in that situation. The battery is a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion unit.

The RS will only hit showrooms in January 2021. For now, three conventionally-powered variants are available. The S, E and V share the same 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated i-VTEC engine, which is a new DOHC version with 121 PS/145 Nm. Power goes to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. The claimed average fuel consumption is 5.4 litres per 100 km, or 18.5 km/l.

Prices for the City S, E and V are RM74,191, RM81,664 and RM86,561 respectively, on-the-road excluding insurance. When the 2020 sales tax exemption expires, the 2021 prices for the City will be RM76,800, RM84,800 and RM89,800. There’s plenty separating the four variants, and we’ve compiled the kit in point form here for easier at-a-glance reading. For more info, check out our launch report.

Note that the images below are of the E (with Modulo kit and options), V and RS variants – Honda Malaysia did not show the entry-level S grade at today’s launch event.

2020 Honda City 1.5L S – RM74,191

2020 Honda City 1.5L – full spec-by-spec comparison

Gets as standard:
Mechanicals

  • 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine
  • 121 PS (119 hp) at 6,600 rpm, 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm
  • CVT automatic transmission with ECON mode
  • Electric power steering (EPS)
  • Suspension: MacPherson struts (front), torsion beam (rear)
  • Brakes: Ventilated discs (front), drum (rear)

Exterior

  • Halogen projector headlamps
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear combination lights
  • 15-inch alloy wheels with 185/60 profile Continental UC6 tyres
  • Power adjustable and folding side mirrors with turn signals
  • Shark fin antenna
  • Body colour door handles
  • Keyless entry

Interior

  • Push start button
  • Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
  • Steering wheel audio controls
  • Standard audio with Bluetooth, hands-free phone, one USB port
  • Four speakers
  • Analogue meter panel with multi-info display
  • Manual air con with rear vents
  • Fabric upholstery
  • 60:40 split folding rear seats

Safety

  • Four airbags (front and side)
  • VSA, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
  • Hill start assist
  • Emergency stop signal
  • Front and rear seat belt reminder
  • Rear seat Isofix child seat anchors with top tethers
  • Reverse sensors

2020 Honda City 1.5L E – RM81,664

2020 Honda City 1.5L – full spec-by-spec comparison

Adds on:
Exterior

  • Chrome door handles
  • 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels with 185/60 Continental UC6 tyres

Interior

  • Remote engine start
  • Steering paddle shifters
  • Cruise control
  • Single-zone auto air con
  • 8.0-inch touchscreen display audio
  • Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity
  • Two USB ports

Safety

  • Reverse camera, multi-angle

2020 Honda City 1.5L V – RM86,561

2020 Honda City 1.5L – full spec-by-spec comparison

Adds on:
Exterior

  • Automatic LED headlamps
  • LED front fog lamps
  • 16-inch alloy wheels with 185/55 profile tyres

Interior

  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob
  • Leather upholstery with ivory highlights
  • Eight speakers

Safety

  • Curtain airbags, total six
  • Honda LaneWatch camera

2020 Honda City RS e:HEV – on sale January 2021

2020 Honda City 1.5L – full spec-by-spec comparison

Adds on:
Mechanicals

  • i-MMD hybrid powertrain
  • 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine
  • 98 PS (97 hp) at 5,600 to 6,400 rpm, 127 Nm at 4,500 to 5,000 rpm
  • Electric motor with 108 PS (107 hp) and 253 Nm from 0 to 3,000 rpm
  • e-CVT automatic transmission with ECON mode
  • Rear disc brakes
  • Electric parking brake with auto brake hold function

Exterior

  • RS styling and badges
  • Gloss black front grille with honeycomb mesh
  • Gloss black wing mirror caps
  • Sporty fog lamp garnish
  • Carbon-style trim on front lip, rear diffuser
  • Bootlid spoiler in gloss black
  • 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels
  • Body colour door handles

Interior

  • Deceleration selector paddle for i-MMD
  • 7.0-inch digital instrument panel with hybrid displays
  • Leather and Ultrasuede upholstery with red stitching
  • Red stitching on steering, gear lever boot, centre tunnel and dashboard
  • Black headliner
  • Sport aluminium pedals

Safety

  • Honda Sensing driver assist safety suite
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS or AEB)
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
  • Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Auto High-Beam (AHB)

There are five colours to choose from – Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Passion Red Pearl and Platinum White Pearl. The RS is only available in the three latter colours – grey, red and white. There’s a Modulo five-piece bodykit (front/rear under spoiler, side skirts, boot spoiler) going for RM4,473 and other packaged and individual options that we’ve detailed here. Once again, check out our launch report and walk-around video to learn more about the fifth-gen 2020 Honda City.

GALLERY: 2020 Honda City RS e:HEV

GALLERY: 2020 Honda City 1.5L V

GALLERY: 2020 Honda City 1.5L E with Modulo bodykit and options

GALLERY: 2020 Honda City RS e:HEV, outdoor

GALLERY: 2020 Honda City official images

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Aaron Luis on Oct 13, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    Typo : Honda Malaysia launched the new 2020 Honda Civic this morning

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • Leafable on Oct 13, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      Honda City RS the world first debut..Dem lucky Malaysians us, the same all-new Honda City in Singapore priced from SGD89,999 (RM280,000). Most hotly-anticipated 2020 yuppie ride

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 28
      • Mostly hot-anticipated is mostly only for middle aged people but not for all where X50 is mostly hot anticipated in this country.

        Proton > all

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 7
      • Civic Turbo 2018 on Oct 14, 2020 at 8:40 am

        (Like) City 2021
        (Dislike) X50

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 33
        • LIKE: X50, Almera and Vios Facelift
          DISLIKE: City, HRV, BRV and Jazz

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 9
      • Rakyat Malaysia on Oct 14, 2020 at 9:58 am

        Motor mampu milik.
        Kereta mampu milik.
        Petrol mampu milik.
        Terima Kasih Banyak-Banyak.
        #KitaJagaKita

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 5
        • Thanks to our government but not thanks to Honda Malaysia for dumping specs with cheaper price.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
    • 5 posts about new City in 1 day? Pls la PT, bosan leh

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • Arnie on Oct 13, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    Nice. Today launch, tmrw start lockdown. Nobody will give a flying **** about this car as people are more concerned how to continue working.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 5
  • Sam Loo (ori) on Oct 13, 2020 at 9:58 pm

    Japanese sushi car far better than Kimchi Korean car..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 21
    • Singaporean Malay on Oct 13, 2020 at 10:10 pm

      Sam Loo, stay back in 2012. You aren’t relevant anymore in 2020.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 6
      • The same goes to other honda fanboys and the famous commentator like Ben.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 4
  • UNFAIR on Oct 13, 2020 at 10:07 pm

    Honda is trying to cheat prices again to make prices even lower than other b segment car and Proton X50. In other countries, honda sells expensiver than other rivals.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 10
    • TheBoss on Oct 14, 2020 at 10:29 am

      So sell cheap also cannot?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 9
      • UNFAIR on Oct 14, 2020 at 10:49 am

        Cannot. Honda must be competitive with Almera, X50, Vios, Aruz. By right, Honda should have follow price rules in other countries.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
  • The infotainment, aircond vent and center gear console are so not aligned.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 4
  • why is this post so freaking long on the main page?
    is this a platinum sponsored post?
    shouldn’t the main page posts be concise?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
    • Good morning ladies & gents. It seems the trolls are late coming in as of now… there is ONLY ONE comment on the long articles about City implying a paid write up. What is taking them so long???

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Ex VGM staff on Oct 14, 2020 at 8:17 am

    The hybrid system Honda City RS i MMD is exactly the same set up as Toyota Prius C hybrid, itself launched in 2012.

    First, it is both a series and also a parallel hybrid system.
    For those now knowing which is which, the previous Honda Insight, CRZ and Civic hybrid were all using series hybrid system that is a motor sits in between the engine and transmission to assist with more power.

    And parallel system means the car runs fully on electric motor while an engine recharges the battery..such concept is also known as Range Extender. First created by Porsche in the early 1900s but to no success but later made popular by GM in the Chevrolet Volt/Vauxhall Ampera. And yes, the same system used in Proton’s award winning prototype Saga REEV and Exora REEV.

    Back to Prius, it also has 2 motors.. 1 for engine starting and alternator function and the other to drive the car at low speed.

    And Prius also using Atkinson cycle engine for its high thermal efficiency but not for max power.

    And last.. The engine also interferes during some speed where it is more economical than running the motor and draining the battery juice.

    For paultan writes who don’t believe me, go find Toyota Prius Mk.III sold in Malaysia between 2009 and 2015. And also the same Prius C I mentioned above also known as Toyota Aqua in Japan and New Zealand.

    And also the Lexus CT200h.

    In fact all Toyotas are using this layout known as Toyota Hybrid System THS and later THS II.

    Which was developed by Toyota in the 1990s (1st gen Prius launched in 1997).

    Honda is so late to the game. There’s nothing new here, enough of the hoo haa.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 7
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Oct 14, 2020 at 8:26 am

    nothing i like about the car, except the air con controls. so satisfying to see a physical knob instead of the touch screen horrors these days.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1
  • pourtiga on Oct 14, 2020 at 10:58 am

    Specs canggih wise for a rm80k car of coz x50 got this and that…this and that. But city or vios not a bad choice either for decent town use. Atleast no timing belt changing interval needed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • common sensor on Oct 14, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    Expensive features to a cheap car .. smell fishy ..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
    • Logical Deduction on Oct 14, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      So you prefer back in the past, expensive car with kosong spec?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
      • But today I see V spec still kosong

        No aeb

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
        • History Bender on Oct 14, 2020 at 3:46 pm

          Kid, you haven’t lived thru the Dark Ages of car buying here where kosong literally means only 2 airbags, no ESC, no TC for cars that cost nearly rm100k.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 11
          • Aquatic on Oct 14, 2020 at 6:51 pm

            Usually, all variants comes with basic safety specs same goes to other brands. What he is trying to say is, V spec don’t have AEB

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
          • Frozen on Oct 15, 2020 at 9:46 am

            Because V spec isn’t the top of the range anymore? Duh!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • Not Toyota Fan on Oct 14, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    Waiting for Honla fanbois to complain why so many posts on this new City… ehhh, salah. Fanbois will be jizzing in their pants

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • Guardian on Oct 14, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      So sad to see that after honda fanboys have already hurted by others for complaining posts about this new City, after honda fanboys have been fighting other brands ever since the article in about launching for imported Proton X70

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • sam123 on Oct 15, 2020 at 8:01 am

    whats this vent for ?

    https://paultan.org/2020/10/13/2020-honda-city-5th-gen-launched-in-malaysia-1-5l-s-e-and-v-rs-ehev-hybrid-world-debut-from-rm74k/honda_city_rs_launch_malaysia_int-41/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 1.3kWh battery for two motors? What’s the point of making a mild hybrid when the engine will essentially be on all the time to supply the tiny battery to power the motor?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • hadoken on Oct 26, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    adui…still the same old 1.5cc grandfather engine??? i thought all the hype about the new 1.0cc turbo engine just same as Thai or India spec??? no wonder alot ppl withdraw their deposit and book Almera or X50 instead this City. Kena kencing by Honda M ke?… lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
 

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