Verdict
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM85,900 to the Perodua Axia’s RM33,900, and the RM52,000 gap buys 119 hp and 145 Nm rather than 67 hp and 91 Nm, plus six airbags and Honda Sensing. Its 289-litre boot is also 24 litres larger. But the Axia is 590 mm shorter for tighter parking, carries just RM20 annual road tax against RM90, and retains the same five-door, five-seat layout. For low-cost urban ownership, the Axia is the rational choice; the Honda is the better-equipped, faster long-distance car.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you need 119 hp, six airbags, Honda Sensing and a 289-litre boot for regular highway use.
Pick the Perodua Axia if a RM52,000 lower purchase price, RM20 road tax and a 3,760 mm length matter more than outright performance and driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Perodua Axia RM33,900.
- Power and torque: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp and 145 Nm; Perodua Axia 67 hp and 91 Nm.
- Length: Honda City Hatchback 4,350 mm; Perodua Axia 3,760 mm.
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Perodua Axia 265 litres.
- Airbags: Honda City Hatchback six; Perodua Axia two.
- Annual road tax: Honda City Hatchback RM90; Perodua Axia RM20.
City Hatchback
- 119 hp and 145 Nm from a 1.5-litre engine.
- Six airbags, Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control.
- 289-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding ULTRA Seat rear bench.
- RM52,000 more expensive to buy.
- RM90 annual road tax versus the Axia’s RM20.
- 590 mm longer than the Axia.
Axia
- RM52,000 lower entry price and RM20 annual road tax.
- 3,760 mm length is easier to place in tight urban spaces.
- Rated economy of 25.3 L/100 km and a 36-litre fuel tank.
- 67 hp and 91 Nm trail the Honda’s 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- Two airbags instead of six, with no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- 265-litre boot is 24 litres smaller than the Honda’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900 | RM33,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM20✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 998 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 67 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm✓ | 91 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 71 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | D-CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 25.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 3,760 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,525 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 865 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres✓ | 265 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Full Size 14" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 14" 8-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 14" 8-spoke 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 |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| 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 & Axia for sale
City Hatchback vs Axia FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Perodua Axia better?
The Honda City Hatchback is better for performance, safety equipment and highway work, with 119 hp, six airbags and Honda Sensing. The Perodua Axia is better for keeping purchase and road-tax costs down, and its shorter body suits urban use.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM52,000 more than the Perodua Axia.
Which car has better safety equipment?
The Honda City Hatchback has the stronger safety kit: six airbags, Honda Sensing autonomous braking, collision warning and lane-keeping steering correction. The Perodua Axia has driver and passenger airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.