Verdict
At RM85,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM3,900 less than the RM89,800 Proton X50, but the SUV’s 178 hp and 290 Nm turbo engine cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 7.6 seconds against 10.7 seconds. The X50 also has a 330-litre boot, 41 litres more than the Honda. Yet the City Hatchback answers with Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane steering correction, neither fitted to the X50. The Proton is the stronger all-round hardware package; the Honda is the more safety-focused choice for less money.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if autonomous braking, lane steering correction and a lower purchase price matter more than outright pace and SUV space.
Pick the Proton X50 if you want 178 hp, 290 Nm, a 330-litre boot and substantially richer cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Proton X50 RM89,800.
- Power and torque: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp and 145 Nm; Proton X50 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City Hatchback 10.7 seconds; Proton X50 7.6 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Proton X50 330 litres.
- Active safety: Honda City Hatchback has autonomous braking and lane steering correction; Proton X50 has neither.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City Hatchback 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Proton X50 17-inch alloys with 215/60R17 tyres.
City Hatchback
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane steering correction.
- RM3,900 lower purchase price.
- Full-size spare tyre instead of a space saver.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the X50’s 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- 289-litre boot is 41 litres smaller.
- No rear air-con vents, reverse camera or built-in navigation.
X50
- 178 hp and 290 Nm turbo engine with a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 330-litre boot, rear air-con vents and 17-inch wheels.
- 14.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus six speakers.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assistance, unlike the City Hatchback.
- Costs RM3,900 more and has RM120 annual road tax versus RM90.
- Space-saver spare tyre instead of a full-size wheel.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900✓ | RM89,800 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 178 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 7DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Geely |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | 7.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,380 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,609 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 1,351 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 330 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | GitiComfort F50 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| 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 | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 14.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 6 Times Free Labour Servicing |
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 & X50 for sale
City Hatchback vs X50 FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Proton X50 better?
The Proton X50 is better for acceleration, boot space and cabin technology, with 178 hp, 290 Nm and 330 litres of luggage room. Choose the Honda City Hatchback for autonomous braking, lane steering correction and lower ownership entry cost.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback is RM3,900 cheaper: RM85,900 versus RM89,800 for the Proton X50.
Which has better safety assistance?
The Honda City Hatchback has the stronger driver-assistance package, adding Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane steering correction. The Proton X50 has blind spot information, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assistance.