Verdict
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM10,910 more, but its 119 hp and 10.7-second 0-100 km/h time edge the Polo’s 103 hp and 11.1 seconds, while the 2,600 mm wheelbase and 289-litre boot give it more room on paper. More importantly for Malaysian traffic, it brings six airbags, stability control, Honda Sensing autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control; the Polo has two airbags and no listed stability control or autonomous braking. The Polo counters with 153 Nm, a six-speed automatic, automatic climate control and a 45-litre tank. Safety makes the Honda the easier recommendation.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you will pay RM10,910 more for six airbags, Honda Sensing, stability control, more power and a longer 2,600 mm wheelbase.
Pick the Volkswagen Polo if a lower RM74,990 entry price, 153 Nm, a six-speed Tiptronic automatic and automatic climate control matter more than active-safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Volkswagen Polo RM74,990.
- Power and acceleration: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp and 10.7 seconds; Volkswagen Polo 103 hp and 11.1 seconds.
- Torque and transmission: Honda City Hatchback 145 Nm with CVT; Volkswagen Polo 153 Nm with six-speed automatic.
- Safety: Honda City Hatchback six airbags with stability control and autonomous braking; Volkswagen Polo two airbags with no listed stability control or…
- Dimensions and boot: Honda City Hatchback 4,350 mm long, 2,600 mm wheelbase and 289 litres; Volkswagen Polo 3,970 mm, 2,470 mm and 280 litres.
- Fuel tank and parking sensors: Honda City Hatchback 40 litres and two rear sensors; Volkswagen Polo 45 litres and four rear sensors.
City Hatchback
- 119 hp and a 10.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Six airbags, stability control and Honda Sensing autonomous braking.
- 289-litre boot, ULTRA Seat and full-size spare tyre.
- Costs RM10,910 more.
- Has 145 Nm versus the Polo's 153 Nm.
- Manual air-con and two rear parking sensors versus automatic climate control and four sensors.
Polo
- RM74,990 price and 153 Nm torque.
- Six-speed Tiptronic automatic and 45-litre fuel tank.
- Automatic climate control, four rear parking sensors and front/rear foglamps.
- Has only two airbags versus the Honda's six.
- No listed stability control, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning.
- 103 hp and 11.1-second 0-100 km/h performance trail the Honda's 119 hp and 10.7 seconds.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900 | RM74,990✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC naturally aspirated |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 103 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 153 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 6-Speed Tiptronic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds✓ | 11.1 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h✓ | 184 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 162 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 3,970 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,453 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 1,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 front, 1 rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | RCD 330 radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB, Bluetooth and 4 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 | Manual key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 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 & Polo for sale
City Hatchback vs Polo FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Volkswagen Polo better?
The Honda City Hatchback is the better pick for safety and family use: it has six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking, a 2,600 mm wheelbase and a 289-litre boot. The Polo is cheaper and has more torque, but its listed safety equipment is much lighter.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM85,900 and the Volkswagen Polo costs RM74,990, so the Honda is RM10,910 more expensive.
Which has the stronger engine and quicker acceleration?
The Honda City Hatchback has more power at 119 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds. The Volkswagen Polo has more torque at 153 Nm versus 145 Nm, but produces 103 hp and takes 11.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h.