Verdict
The Aion ES costs RM21,900 more at RM106,800, but brings a 136 hp, 225 Nm electric motor, a 55.2 kWh battery rated for 442 km and 60 kW DC charging. It is also 230 mm longer on a 150 mm longer wheelbase. The Honda City counters with a bigger 519-litre boot, against 450 litres, plus a clearly specified active-safety package including autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. Pick the EV for its stronger drivetrain and home-charging-friendly ownership; pick the City for lower entry cost and more luggage room.
Pick the Aion ES if you can charge regularly and want 136 hp, 225 Nm, 442 km rated range and 3.3 kW V2L.
Pick the Honda City if you want to spend RM21,900 less, carry more in its 519-litre boot and have autonomous braking plus adaptive cruise control specified.
Key differences
- Price: Aion ES RM106,800; Honda City RM84,900.
- Power and torque: Aion ES 136 hp and 225 Nm; Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- Energy use: Aion ES has a 55.2 kWh battery and 442 km range; Honda City is rated at 5.6 L/100 km with a 40-litre tank.
- Size: Aion ES is 4,810 mm long with a 2,750 mm wheelbase; Honda City is 4,580 mm long with a 2,600 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Aion ES 450 litres; Honda City 519 litres.
- Warranty: Aion ES eight years/160,000 km; Honda City five years with unlimited mileage.
ES
- 136 hp and 225 Nm electric motor
- 442 km rated range and 60 kW DC charging
- 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load function
- RM21,900 higher purchase price
- 450-litre boot is 69 litres smaller than the City’s
City
- 519-litre boot
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control and steering lane-keeping correction
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Aion ES’s 136 hp and 225 Nm
- Five-year warranty period versus eight years for the Aion ES
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800 | RM84,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 119 hp |
| Torque | — | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 442 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,580 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | 519 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | — | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 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 |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Lead Car Departure Notification |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five 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 ES & City for sale
ES vs City FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Honda City better?
The Aion ES is better for regular charging, stronger 136 hp/225 Nm electric performance and 442 km rated range. The Honda City is the more practical lower-cost choice, with a 519-litre boot and specified autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Aion ES is RM21,900 more expensive than the Honda City.
Which one has the larger boot?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, 69 litres more than the Aion ES’s 450 litres. Both are five-seat, four-door sedans.