It has been quite a year for new car launches, despite the unprecedented and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The introductions keep coming, and sales are brisk, which bodes well for all of us in the auto industry, carbuyers and the wider economy. One of the biggest and most important debuts of the year happened today, with Honda Malaysia (HM) officially launching the 2020 Honda City.
The new City is available in four variants – the S, E, V and RS e:HEV. The first three grades are 1.5L petrol variants, and they are priced at RM74,191, RM81,664 and RM86,561 respectively. These prices – lower than before despite higher specs – are on-the-road excluding insurance, but with the 2020 sales tax exemption.
The RS hybrid has not been given a price yet, as deliveries are only starting in January next year. HM has collected 5,000 bookings for the new City so far and the initial sales target is 3,000 units per month. This will be raised by 500 units once the RS joins the fray in 2021.
The fifth-generation Honda City is visibly larger than the car it replaces. Compared to the popular fourth-gen B-segment sedan, the new City is 111 mm longer (4,553 mm) and 54 mm wider (1,748 mm). The larger footprint is coupled with a 10 mm lower height, and unchanged wheelbase is 2,600 mm long (platform is carried over but with improvements). The boot capacity is 519 litres – that’s 17 litres less than before (536L) but still class leading.
Let’s start with what’s under the hood. At the top of the range is the City RS e:HEV, the hybrid variant that starred in HM’s eye-catching teaser ads and the media preview. Unlike before, this latest Hybrid is the costliest variant with all the bells and whistles. By the way, this is a world debut of sorts, as Malaysia is the first country in the world to offer the City with Honda’s two-motor i-MMD hybrid system, which till now was only offered on the latest Jazz in the compact segment. The i-MMD also features in the hybrid variants of the Accord and CR-V.
Why Malaysia? Obvious, really, when we’re the leading market for the Honda’s hybrids in the Asia-Oceania region, accounting for 40% of sales in the past five years. By the way, much work has gone into HM’s Pegoh plant in Melaka for it to be able to produce cars with the i-MMD hybrid system, and the City RS won’t be the first and last of its kind – click here for the full story.
At the heart of the i-MMD system – which replaces the previous generation i-DCD – is a 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine (98 PS at 5,600 to 6,400 rpm, 127 Nm at 4,500 to 5,000 rpm, 40.5% thermal efficiency is world’s best), which does not power the car, but 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. Because this “traction motor” drives the car most of the time, the i-MMD system does away with a traditional gearbox, but the engine can provide direct drive at higher speeds using a lock-up clutch and a single-speed transmission (e-CVT) – this is because the ICE is more efficient than an electric motor at high speeds. As the engine has a part time job powering the wheels, this is not a range extender EV system like Nissan’s e-Power.
MMD stands for Multi-Mode Drive, and there are three drive modes. The car always starts off in EV Drive mode, silently. You’ll hear the engine spring to life occasionally to recharge the 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, which powers the traction motor.
During full acceleration, you’ll enter Hybrid Drive mode. The traction motor is still the main mover here, but the engine will rev higher to pump more juice into the battery. Engine Drive mode happens during high-speed cruising, and this is when the engine takes over from the traction motor to power the wheels.
With the full 253 Nm of torque available from 0 rpm, the City RS will no doubt be very spritely off the line. You would have noted by now HM’s emphasis on this car having more torque than the Toyota Camry, a D-segment sedan with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine. 0-100 km/h is 9.9 seconds and top speed is 173 km/h. There’s no 0-60 km/h figure, but that should be quite impressive here, like with full EVs. The most important figure for the e:HEV hybrid is economy, and FC is rated at 3.77 litres per 100 km, or 26.5 km/l.
Like the previous i-DCD system, the air con compressor is an electrically-driven unit, so the AC continues to work when the car is stationary, unlike the IMA hybrid (CR-Z, Insight) from two generations ago.
By the way, the RS e:HEV’s IPU (intelligent power unit) is located at the rear, which reduces boot volume to 409 litres. It also comes with a tyre repair kit in place of a space saver spare wheel. The hybrid tips the scales at 1,246 kg, which is 111 kg more than the heaviest 1.5L, the 1,135 kg V.
The RS may be the one with all the impressive headlining tech, but many would go straight to the conventional variants; like before, there are three of them – S, E and V. These three grades will share the same 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated i-VTEC engine, but the 1.5L is a new DOHC version with 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm. Power goes to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
The outgoing car’s SOHC i-VTEC is rated at 120 PS/145 Nm so there’s not much in it in terms of max outputs, but the DOHC unit with VTC is more efficient. The 1.5L’s 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 10.2 seconds for the S and E grades, and 10.4 seconds for the heavier V spec. Top speed is 196 km/h, with the V topping out at 195 km/h. The claimed average fuel consumption is 5.4 litres per 100 km, or 18.5 km/l.
The suspension and brakes are par for the B-segment course – it’s MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam at the rear, with front ventilated brake discs and rear drum brakes. The RS gets rear discs and an electric parking brake with brake hold function. There are two different alloy rim designs – 15-inch (185/60 tyres) for the S and E (dual-tone for E) and 16-inch (185/55 tyres) for the V and RS (dual-tone for RS).
There’s plenty to cover in the equipment section. LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights are standard across the board, as are power adjustable/retractable wing mirrors with turn signals. As mentioned above, each grade gets its own unique wheel look.
As for the eyes, it’s projector halogens for the S and E, and automatic LED headlamps for the V and RS. Fog lamps (LED) are reserved for the top two, too. The base S and the sporty RS get body colour door handles, while the E and V have chrome ones. Speaking of sporty, the Road Sailing variant (yes, that’s what Honda’s RS stands for) gets an exclusive styling pack that includes a gloss black front grille with honeycomb mesh, gloss black wing mirror caps, boot spoiler in gloss black, “aggressive” fog lamp garnish, carbon-pattern trim on the front lip and rear diffuser, and RS badging.
All grades get keyless entry with push start, rear air con vents, steering audio buttons and Bluetooth (with a call button). Things standard from the E onwards are remote engine start, paddle shifters (deceleration selector paddle for the RS e:HEV), cruise control, single-zone auto air con and an 8.0-inch touchscreen head unit with (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The V adds on a leather-wrapped steering and gear knob, leather seats (ivory highlights on door cards, centre tunnel and dashboard) and eight speakers (four speakers for S and E).
RS-only items include a 7.0-inch digital meter panel with hybrid-specific displays, part leather and “Ultrasuede” seats, red stitching (steering wheel, gear lever area, centre tunnel and dashboard) and aluminium pedals. The RS is the only one to get a black headliner; it’s beige for the rest of the range.
Also exclusive to the RS hybrid is Honda Sensing, which makes its debut in the segment for Honda in Malaysia. The full suite of driver assist and active safety features includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS is autonomous emergency braking or AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Auto High-Beam (AHB).
Although the Low Speed Follow function for the ACC is not present here, the Sensing suite on the City is hooked up to wider view stereo cameras (no millimetre wave radar, performs just as well, tested to work in heavy rain) to better recognise road boundaries, and the system now comes with pedestrian and cyclist detection capability.
By the way, Sensing’s presence in the City is quite a big deal, as it’s not available in the Thai market City and the next car up to have it in HM’s stable is the top Civic 1.5 TC-P.
Sensing aside, the new City comes with VSA, hill start assist, emergency stop signal and four airbags (dual front and side) as standard. The V and RS add on curtain airbags to make it six in total, and Honda’s LaneWatch left-side camera. All except for the S get a reverse camera hooked up to the centre screen. There are now seat belt reminders for the rear seats.
There are five colours to choose from, namely 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 pearl white. As usual for Honda, there’s a Modulo five-piece bodykit (front/rear under spoiler, side skirts, boot spoiler) going for RM4,473 and other utility options.
Once again, prices for the City S, E and V are RM74,191, RM81,664 and RM86,561 respectively. When the 2020 sales tax exemption expires, the 2021 prices for the City will be RM76,800, RM84,800 and RM89,800. No price for the RS e:HEV hybrid yet as that will go on sale in January 2021. The City comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with five times free labour service, while the hybrid’s lithium-ion battery comes with a separate eight-year unlimited mileage warranty.
There you go, the new 2020 Honda City – what do you think of the latest iteration of this household name?
2020 Honda City 1.5L S – RM74,191
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 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
Adds on:
Exterior
- Chrome door handles
- 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels
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
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
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)
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
GALLERY: 2020 Honda City launch presentation
Dull, Uninspiring, Problemtaitc
Honda is already game over car for sure. No 4 airbags. No turbocharged engine. Downgrading specs as well.
Thats why Honda City is no longer popular car and everyone already knows that it is junk car.
How can it be unpopular. It’s still the best selling non-local car in the country. Don’t be so butthurt.
Heard that a lot of people have cancelled booking for City. You should know why.
So honda fanboys didnt get any butthurted at all meh, lol? Tell me, why most of the time, honda fanboys have been butthurted when other brands launching newer cars. Ask yourself.
City gains DOHC and rear disc brakes finally…
9.9 seconds and 173km/h? Aiyooo….cannot beat Camry la based on accelerations and top speed. Sudah tipu lah to customers from Honda Malaysia
Agreed. Looks like it was designed with a paor of rulers. Tall bonnet, tall boot, look at that space between the front bonnet and the wheel arch, meh. And also vwry straight and flat waterfall dashboard, center airvents so offset
So unlike Proton X50, the new City has 2 lower grades with 4 airbags, the SAME EXACT count as on the previous City.
Oh the silent recriminations are deafening….
as a owner of honda civic 2018, I would never buy a honda again unless it is fully imported from Japan. All CKD assembled in Malaysia are craps..
Sokong! Sack the assembler, DRB hicom pagoh.
Agreed 100%. The QC department of the Pegoh plant is a let down. The dashboard of my 2018 Civic TCP rattles from day one. The driver side floor mat clips also missing. Although it didn’t give me much problem, occasionally the engine does give a strange knocking sound. To my family, this is our second Honda and most probably the last one.
No such problem those Hondas, the QC department and CKD assembled in Thailand. abang go teh tarik, and forgot the driver side floor mat clips. then go rokok
If you can read Thai, their forums too are crawling with complaints on QC.
Honda My on par with Honda Japan
https://paultan.org/2020/09/25/2020-honda-city-ckd-production-in-full-swing-melaka-factories-upgraded-to-be-on-par-with-honda-japan/
That makes me worried on Honda built quality in Japan then…
If you read US Honda forums, they faced the same issues.
Is it coincidence half way around the world another group are facing the same exact problems?
Is it the people or was it Honda system was incapabled to predict their popularity and failed to counter issues that crop up with hurried production?
(Like) X50, Almera, Vios Faceift
(Dislike) City, HRV, Jazz, BRV
Another word:
(Like) Camry 2.5V (9.7 seconds, 210km/h)
(Dislike) Honda City RS Ad (9.9 seconds, 173km/h)
yo…must compare the same segmen lorr.. shud be camry vs accord lorr..!!
I respect this new city 1.5, even its B segmen but almost accelerating the same with the D segmen camry 2.5…!!!!!!
Buick is commenting on the CIty Rs Advertisement lah bro
Only 4 airbags with grandfather engine for low spec variant??? Even these low variants like vios, almera and x50 have good spec than City S
Vios uses an older engine compared to this City. Almera has 2 airbags only for base variant, X50 4 airbags. So what specs are you referring to that the others have for their base version that the City S lacks?
Based on base variants, Almera comes with AEB but 2 airbags. X50 uses turbo but 4 airbags. Vios uses 7 airbags but older engine but reliable. But City uses 2 airbags only, not even single BSM, AEB, Turbo? So what else does City S have?
H badge, haha!
City s use 4 airbags la!!
Front totally out of design, Rear copied from BMW. As usual Honda designer
Buy other brands better. This brand makes you more headache for sure
Based on the price reveal for the petrol spec, the IMMD will likely hit RM 95k with more safety features and better powertrain. At this price wish good luck to Honda to direct compete
Direct compete with X50 is like suicide action. Bravo Honda
Still no turbo? No 4 airbags? No ADAS??? No thanks. Going to cancel booking this. Bye
u havent book what to cancel?
Thinking whether to get the red or white colour spec. Also quite frustrated they have yet to release the RS spec price and deliveries only starting in January.
Spareparts will sure have problem soon. Good luck H owners
Absolutely for family car, but not for younger gen
Lagi best with turbo bolted on will out run this
People buy this, because of badge, not because it is good.
CVT Auto Gear under Earth Dreams. Buy Vios.
Hmmm, these are good pricing even after SST. Did not see that coming. Over to Almera and X50’s pricing now
Do the lowest variate S have rear air vents?
yes
Reasons:
– Cheapo Dashboard
– Copying from other cars
– 4 airbags
– Sleepy NA Engine
– Reliability also failure
Cheap kosong spec,
No aeb, no mispedal control, no microhybrid I.e idling start stop like bmw,
Small tyre, small sport rim 15inch for Mid spec E
Slim profile tyre only 185/R15 or 185/R16 despite over 1100kg.
And worse the lower car boot like Saga, causing lesser boot volume by 17liter.
It’s a small price drop, but less discount from salesman at the same time.
Why the hybrid is so slow, 9.9seconds?
So all talk on HV but no price yet. Not even launch yet. Early loyal customers will enjoy old engine. yeay Honda!
I realised that the Rear Seat Belt Reminders are not fitted in the top variant RS?
It is. The SBR indicator is integrated in the digital instrument screen.
Should be interesting to see Paul Tan’s ‘5 Japanese Branded Cars You Shouldn’t Buy’ article or is that taboo and only used to denigrate local car brands?
Soon. We’ll do each brand one by one.
I don’t get it now, though. So are we biased against or for local car brands? Make up your mind, people.
Thanks Hafriz, Im also looking forward about the article for the reason for not buying honda very soon. So I also hope honda SA will accept and should stop posting fake feedbacks and not complaining.
Perhaps starting the ball rolling with local brands got off on the wrong foot because people buy local brands and lower specs are more due to financial constraints rather than by choice and the local brands respond to these needs by providing ‘adequate cars’ at the prices they can afford. So affordability rather than safety are their goals.
This unlike buyers of non-national brands that has a choice but still limited to what is available in their albeit higher price range.
PS Perhaps Paul Tan should do a shout out/ petition to these car brands to follow Europe market in providing option for kosong driving school specced models but included with the full complement of safety features up to ADAS system.
Why there is no AEB? 2020 is getting over, 2021 soon
AEB is fitted on the City RS Hybrid.
Weldan Friz. Kipidapp!
I’ve never been so uninterested and not impressed with the new honda city launch. Boring, underwhelming, useless design both interior and exterior. Very awkward looking rear lights. Argh! so angry
(Like): Honda City RS
(Dislike): Proton X50 Flagship
Proton X50 Flagship wins for sure. Since this is the really tin can car.
the Nissan Almera can rest easy. much better spec.
no AEB as standard on Honda, interior looking plain surprising considering it’s Honda…..
and those god awful meters, makes the almera one looks awesome in respect.
now all that’s left is Almera’s pricing.
Interior / meter cluster so damn ugly. What a dissapointment from HM.
Honda stepped up way too much with the GM6 model, so now this new model isn’t as dramatic as back to the days when GM6 launched. I still can see much of the GM6 design cues, BORING
So can test drive the RS already?
This car except the price and face, basically is the same city.
Just went booking for RS variant yesterday. Hope will get the car by Feb 2021.
I am not a honda fan. I believe those own a honda before will never will be one. But i hv to admit they keep their b segment City price range pretty competitve. I remember my 2007 city vtec also cost about 84800…now they also selling 84800.
Lol so much hate, good pricing honda ! Leader for this market segment. Way to go !! You can argue all you want just see the number on the road. Lol
only high spec hybrid got rear disc brakes, what a shame
Honda MY have been hiding interior for months, what is it so difference about it?
They were not hiding it. It’s their usual lead up to a launch, staggered release of information. The same plan has been used for years now. It’s not new.
Honda always humble and subtle to a launch, perfect timing.
i am proud NOT to buy this car. will regret if accidentality buy.
It’s 2020 and Honda still gimping basic features. The interior looks like a facelift City.
The dashboard looks dated to me. Anyway, I am dumbfounded. We have politicians, union leaders and economists calling for extension of loan moratorium beyond September 2020, but here we see Malaysians buying cars like shopping for essentials! Jobs, incomes and our economy must be all honky dory in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I drive a premium D segment sedan, can easily afford it but still regret buying it. Feel like it’s a complete waste, not worth the money. Current generation Y is living as if everyday is their last, flaunting their wealth which they never had in the first place. No savings, no insurance, no investment, no property, but splurging on fashion, cars and holidays.
Why need to be so wealthy and rich to begin with? We live to die anyway and you live once, you young once. So as long as we can afford our bill why judge? Tomorrow you might die too and all you wealthy will be the reason you heir fight with each other. it’s not like you can bring all your money, wealth and property along with you in your grave. duhh
Premium D segment is definitely not a waste if you can easily afford it. At the very least got better protection against myvi terbang
Showing off the powerful 253nm but 0-100 in 9.9 sec and top speed only 173kmh? is only 0.3sec faster than the NA. 253nm only looks good on paper. lol
Scared to announce pricing because Honda is waiting for X50 price to release. If the city is priced above X50, it’s a big tight slap on their face. Regardless, I’m buying an X50 to support our disruptive car maker proton. Kudos to them.
What the new car price is increased.
Indian version of Honda City 2020 has much better specs…It has sunroof, Honda Connect,Many of the specs like cruise control, auto temperature control, 8 inch infotainment system and many more are available in the base model…it’s more like your mid varient is our base varient… Indian honda city is much priced much lower priced…
Another special P.O.S made specially for gullible Asians.
Take your racist hate speech some where else. Thank you.
Interestingly City could be said to be a global car, being sold in SEA, Mexico & South America, even advanced countries ie Taiwan & Japan. As compared to others ie Vios. If you any gripe about P.O.S car it would be towards Toyota for their Vios.
P.O.S car is only main for Honda for their City but not other brands.
I can go ahead with x50 without a sec thought now
U made the right choice.
Then good luck with all the hassle that you will have to go through along with your so called the right choice.
Been the owner of proton and to me once bitten twice shy.
Century old aircon control dials even in 2020?
I’ve been looking forward to one a day where i financially can afford it. Now that i can afford it but i dont want to.
Uninspiring design, looks cheap overall. We can safely have lunch on the dashboard after this, it’s plain and looks cheap, try to see it in the showroom to believe it.
Except for the RS, the meter cluster is very much outdated for 2020. Better to save a bit and buy yourself a civic 1.8..
Armrest is straight taken over from pre fl.
It’s a no no this time.