Verdict
The RM5,000 step from RM85,900 to RM90,900 buys daily-use equipment rather than extra pace: both City Hatchbacks use a 119 hp, 145 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine and reach 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds. The dearer trim adds automatic climate control, rear USB ports, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight speakers, and a multi-angle reverse camera. For a Malaysian buyer who can live with manual air-con and a basic four-speaker radio, the cheaper car keeps the same Honda Sensing safety suite and makes the sharper buy.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want the same 119 hp drivetrain, Honda Sensing and ULTRA Seat while saving RM5,000.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if automatic climate control, smartphone-connected display audio and a multi-angle reverse camera justify RM5,000 to you.
Key differences
- Price: RM85,900 versus RM90,900
- Front air-con: manual air-con versus single-zone automatic climate control
- Rear USB ports: none versus two rear USB ports
- Audio: radio with four speakers versus 8-inch Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and eight speakers
- Reverse camera: none versus multi-angle reverse camera
- Weight: 1,149 kg versus 1,151 kg
1.5 S
- RM5,000 lower purchase price
- Same 119 hp and 145 Nm 1.5-litre petrol drivetrain
- Keeps Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control and ULTRA Seat
- Manual air-con instead of single-zone automatic climate control
- No reverse camera
- Basic four-speaker radio lacks the 8-inch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display
1.5 E
- Single-zone automatic climate control
- 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and eight speakers
- Multi-angle reverse camera plus two rear USB ports
- Costs RM5,000 more
- No extra power or quicker 0-100 km/h time
- 2 kg heavier at 1,151 kg versus 1,149 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900✓ | RM90,900 |
| 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 with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 119 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | 10.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | 195 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,350 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,488 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 1,151 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 289 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Full size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| 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 (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent 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 cars for sale
1.5 S vs 1.5 E FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Honda City Hatchback better?
The RM90,900 City Hatchback is better equipped, with automatic climate control, connected 8-inch audio and a reverse camera. The RM85,900 City Hatchback is the better-value choice because performance and Honda Sensing are unchanged.
What is the price difference?
The difference is RM5,000: RM85,900 for the lower-priced City Hatchback and RM90,900 for the pricier trim.
What does the RM5,000 extra buy?
It buys single-zone automatic climate control, two rear USB ports, an 8-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and eight speakers, plus a multi-angle reverse camera. It does not buy more power or faster acceleration.