Verdict
At RM85,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM45,000 less than the RM130,900 Suzuki Swift Sport and is the more rational Malaysian daily: its 2,600 mm wheelbase, 289-litre boot and Honda Sensing suite suit passengers, luggage and congested commutes. The Swift is the enthusiast’s choice, not the practical bargain. Its 140 hp/230 Nm turbo engine, 970 kg kerb weight and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time give it a decisive edge over the Honda’s 119 hp/145 Nm and 10.7 seconds, while 16-inch tyres and LED projectors add useful hardware.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want the RM45,000 saving, a larger 289-litre boot and Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Suzuki Swift Sport if faster 8.0-second acceleration, 230 Nm of turbo torque and a 6AT matter more than rear space and driver-assistance features.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Suzuki Swift Sport RM130,900.
- Performance: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp, 145 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds; Suzuki Swift Sport 140 hp, 230 Nm and 8.0 seconds.
- Size: Honda City Hatchback is 4,350 mm long with a 2,600 mm wheelbase; Suzuki Swift Sport is 3,890 mm long with a 2,450 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Suzuki Swift Sport 265 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City Hatchback 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Suzuki Swift Sport 16-inch alloys with 195/50R16 tyres.
- Warranty: Honda City Hatchback five years/unlimited mileage; Suzuki Swift Sport three years/100,000 km.
City Hatchback
- Honda Sensing includes autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- Larger 289-litre boot and 2,600 mm wheelbase.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 10.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Swift Sport's 8.0 seconds.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm are well down on the Swift Sport's 140 hp and 230 Nm.
- Halogen projector headlamps, manual air-con and no reverse camera.
Swift Sport
- 140 hp turbo engine produces 230 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds.
- Lighter 970 kg kerb weight, 16-inch wheels and 195/50R16 tyres.
- LED projector headlamps, reverse camera, auto wipers and 7.0-inch touchscreen navigation.
- Costs RM45,000 more.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
- Smaller 265-litre boot, 2,450 mm wheelbase and three-year/100,000 km warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900✓ | RM130,900 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,373 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 140 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 230 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 9.9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 6AT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | 8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 3,890 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,450 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 970 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 37 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres✓ | 265 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Yokohama Advan A13C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front 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 | Driver and Front Passenger |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's seat height 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Front Cabin Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Navigation and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| 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 Activated |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 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 & Swift Sport for sale
City Hatchback vs Swift Sport FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Suzuki Swift Sport better?
The Honda City Hatchback is better for everyday ownership, safety assistance and space, with a 289-litre boot and Honda Sensing. The Suzuki Swift Sport is better for performance: 140 hp, 230 Nm and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Suzuki Swift Sport costs RM45,000 more than the Honda City Hatchback. That extra outlay brings 21 hp, 85 Nm, a turbo engine, 6AT, 16-inch wheels, LED projectors and a reverse camera, but not Honda Sensing.
Which is more practical for a small family?
The Honda City Hatchback is the stronger family choice. It has a 2,600 mm wheelbase versus 2,450 mm, a 289-litre boot versus 265 litres, ULTRA Seat functionality, and autonomous braking with lane-keeping steering correction.