Verdict
At RM85,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM9,100 less and carries lower RM90 annual road tax against the Seres 3’s RM120. Its 1.5-litre petrol engine makes 119 hp and 145 Nm, while Honda Sensing adds autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction. The RM95,000 Seres 3 counters with EV running, 161 hp, 300 Nm and a claimed 340 km range from its 53.6-kWh battery. It is also the more practical load carrier, with a 525-litre boot versus 289 litres. Pick based on charging access and safety priorities, not body style alone.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want the lower RM85,900 entry price, unlimited-mileage five-year warranty and Honda Sensing safety assistance.
Pick the Seres 3 if you can charge an EV and need its 525-litre boot, 340 km range and 300 Nm motor torque.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Seres 3 RM95,000.
- Power and torque: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp/145 Nm; Seres 3 161 hp/300 Nm.
- Energy storage: Honda City Hatchback 40-litre fuel tank; Seres 3 53.6-kWh battery with 340 km range.
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Seres 3 525 litres.
- Dimensions: Honda City Hatchback 4,350 mm long and 1,748 mm wide; Seres 3 4,385 mm long and 1,850 mm wide.
- Driver assistance: Honda City Hatchback has autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Seres 3 has neither.
City Hatchback
- RM9,100 lower purchase price and RM90 annual road tax.
- Honda Sensing includes autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Unlimited-mileage five-year manufacturer warranty.
- 289-litre boot is 236 litres smaller than the Seres 3’s.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Seres 3’s 161 hp and 300 Nm.
- Halogen projector headlamps and manual front-seat adjustment.
3
- 161 hp and 300 Nm electric motor.
- 525-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
- 11 kW AC and 60 kW DC charging capability.
- Costs RM9,100 more and has RM120 annual road tax.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- Five-year warranty is capped at 160,000 km, unlike the Honda’s unlimited mileage.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900✓ | RM95,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio 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 | 10.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags |
| 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC 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, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 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 & 3 for sale
City Hatchback vs 3 FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Seres 3 better?
The Honda City Hatchback is the better choice for lower upfront cost, lower road tax and active safety assistance. Choose the Seres 3 instead if home or workplace charging is available and its 525-litre boot, 340 km range and stronger 300 Nm motor suit your use.
What is the price difference?
The Seres 3 costs RM95,000, which is RM9,100 more than the Honda City Hatchback at RM85,900. Annual road tax is also RM120 for the Seres 3 versus RM90 for the Honda.
Which has the larger boot?
The Seres 3 has the larger boot at 525 litres, compared with 289 litres in the Honda City Hatchback. That is a 236-litre advantage for the electric SUV.