Verdict
At RM85,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM10,519 more than the RM75,381 Kia Rio, but brings a 1.5-litre 119 hp/145 Nm engine against the Rio’s 1.4-litre 99 hp/133 Nm unit, plus Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Rio fights back with a larger 325-litre boot, 17-inch wheels, reverse camera and sunroof. For a Malaysian buyer, the Honda’s 2,600 mm wheelbase and 10.7-second 0-100 km/h claim make the extra spend easier to justify if driver assistance matters.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want 119 hp, Honda Sensing autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and the longer 2,600 mm wheelbase.
Pick the Kia Rio if you want to spend RM10,519 less while getting a 325-litre boot, 17-inch wheels, a reverse camera and a sunroof.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Kia Rio RM75,381.
- Power and torque: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp and 145 Nm; Kia Rio 99 hp and 133 Nm.
- Dimensions: Honda City Hatchback is 4,350 mm long with a 2,600 mm wheelbase; Kia Rio is 4,065 mm long with a 2,580 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Kia Rio 325 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City Hatchback 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Kia Rio 17-inch alloys with 205/45R17 tyres.
- Driver assistance: Honda City Hatchback has autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control; Kia Rio has none of these.
City Hatchback
- More power and torque: 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Adaptive cruise control and ULTRA Seat rear seating.
- RM10,519 dearer.
- Smaller 289-litre boot versus the Rio’s 325 litres.
- No reverse camera, sunroof or front and rear foglamps.
Rio
- Lower RM75,381 entry price.
- Larger 325-litre boot and 17-inch wheels.
- Reverse camera, sunroof and automatic climate control.
- Less output at 99 hp and 133 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
- Shorter 2,580 mm wheelbase and no full-size spare tyre.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900 | RM75,381✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,368 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 99 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm✓ | 133 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 72 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 4-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,065 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,725 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,580 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 1,162 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 325 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Continental ContiSportContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | 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 | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 5" Floating Screen with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 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 City Hatchback & Rio for sale
City Hatchback vs Rio FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Kia Rio better?
The Honda City Hatchback is the stronger all-round choice for safety assistance and performance, with 119 hp, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Kia Rio is the better-equipped budget pick if its 325-litre boot, camera and sunroof matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM10,519 more than the Kia Rio. That gap brings 20 hp, 12 Nm, Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
Which has the larger boot?
The Kia Rio has the larger boot at 325 litres, 36 litres more than the Honda City Hatchback’s 289 litres. The Honda counters with its ULTRA Seat rear-seat arrangement and a full-size spare tyre.