Car Buyer's Guide

Honda City Hatchback vs Suzuki Swift

Honda City Hatchback

Honda City Hatchback

Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift

No longer on sale — shown for reference

Verdict

At RM85,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM27,673 more than the RM58,227 Suzuki Swift, but brings a stronger 119 hp/145 Nm 1.5-litre package against 94 hp/130 Nm from the Swift’s 1.4. It is also 500 mm longer, with a 2,600 mm wheelbase and 289-litre boot versus 2,430 mm and 210 litres. For a Malaysian buyer carrying passengers or luggage, those are meaningful gains. The Swift counters with a 1,000 kg kerb weight, 42-litre tank and lower RM70 annual road tax, against 1,149 kg, 40 litres and RM90.

City Hatchback

Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you need the larger 289-litre boot, stronger 119 hp output and Honda Sensing safety assistance.

Swift

Pick the Suzuki Swift if keeping the purchase price RM27,673 lower, road tax at RM70 and kerb weight at 1,000 kg matters most.

Key differences

  • Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Suzuki Swift RM58,227.
  • Power: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp; Suzuki Swift 94 hp.
  • Torque: Honda City Hatchback 145 Nm; Suzuki Swift 130 Nm.
  • Length: Honda City Hatchback 4,350 mm; Suzuki Swift 3,850 mm.
  • Wheelbase: Honda City Hatchback 2,600 mm; Suzuki Swift 2,430 mm.
  • Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Suzuki Swift 210 litres.

City Hatchback

  • 119 hp and 145 Nm from a 1,498 cc engine.
  • 289-litre boot and 2,600 mm wheelbase.
  • Honda Sensing, stability control and six airbags.
  • Costs RM27,673 more.
  • Heavier at 1,149 kg versus 1,000 kg.
  • Smaller 40-litre fuel tank versus 42 litres.

Swift

  • RM58,227 purchase price.
  • 1,000 kg kerb weight.
  • 42-litre fuel tank and RM70 annual road tax.
  • 94 hp and 130 Nm trail the Honda’s 119 hp and 145 Nm.
  • 210-litre boot is 79 litres smaller.
  • No stability control, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
Price & overview
PriceRM85,900RM58,227
Body typeHatchbackHatchback
SegmentB-SegmentB-Segment
AssemblyCKDCKD
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM90RM70
Powertrain
Engine Tech16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing
Capacity1,498 cc1,372 cc
Horsepower119 hp94 hp
Torque145 Nm130 Nm
FuelPetrolPetrol
Bore73 mm73 mm
Compression Ratio10.610
Drivetrain
TransmissionCVT AutomaticConventional Automatic
Transmission NameEarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift4AT
Gears4
Transmission ManufacturerHondaJatco
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h10.7 seconds
Top Speed195 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,350 mm3,850 mm
Width1,748 mm1,695 mm
Height1,488 mm1,510 mm
Wheelbase2,600 mm2,430 mm
Weight1,149 kg1,000 kg
Fuel Tank40 litres42 litres
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space289 litres210 litres
Front Tyre185/60R15175/65R15
Rear Tyre185/60R15175/65R15
Spare TyreFull size
Factory TyresContinental UltraContact UC6
Chassis
AssemblyMalaysia (CKD)Malaysia (CKD)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutsMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionTorsion BeamTorsion Beam
Front Wheels15" Alloy15" Steel
Rear Wheels15" Alloy15" Steel
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control
ANCAP5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control
ASEAN NCAP4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, CurtainDriver and Front Passenger
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Child Safety LockManual for Rear DoorsManual for rear doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 three-point
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear SeatsAvailable for two outer rear passenger seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, Honda Sensing
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionNo
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsDriver Only
Lighting
HeadlampsHalogen ProjectorHalogen Reflector
TaillampsLED CombinationNormal Bulb
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsManual AdjustableManual adjustment
Rear SeatsManual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat60:40 Split-Folding
Front Air-conManual Air-conManual air-con
Power Sockets1 Front, 1 Front USB1 Front
Interior LightingMap LightsFront Cabin Light
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear1 Front, 2 Rear
AudioRadio with 4 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsDriver Side One Touch Up and DownAll Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonManual Key
LocksKeyless OperationRemote Control Activation
Auto Headlamps
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationRemote Control ActivationRemote Control Activation
Parking Sensor Rear2 Sensors2 Sensors
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterElectroluminescent AnalogueElectroluminescent Analogue
Parking BrakeHandbrakeHandbrake
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited100,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer5 years3 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.

City Hatchback vs Swift FAQ

Is the Honda City Hatchback or Suzuki Swift better?

The Honda City Hatchback is the more capable all-rounder: it has 119 hp, a 289-litre boot, six airbags, stability control and Honda Sensing. The Suzuki Swift makes sense chiefly for buyers prioritising its much lower outlay and 1,000 kg weight.

What is the price difference?

The Honda City Hatchback costs RM27,673 more than the Suzuki Swift. That gap also brings 25 hp, 15 Nm, 79 litres more boot space, stability control and Honda Sensing.

Which has better safety equipment?

The Honda City Hatchback has the stronger active-safety kit, with stability control, autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control. It also has front side and curtain airbags; the Swift has driver and front-passenger airbags only.

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