Verdict
The City Hatchback 1.5 V is the better buy on paper. At RM95,900 versus RM100,900, the RS Petrol asks RM5,000 more but keeps the same 1.5-litre petrol engine, 119 hp, 145 Nm, CVT, front-wheel drive and 10.7-second 0-100 km/h time. It is 19 mm longer, yet the 2,600 mm wheelbase and 289-litre boot do not move. With six airbags, AEB, RM90 road tax and a five-year warranty on both, you are paying for trim, not mechanicals.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V if you want the same 119 hp, 10.7-second performance, 289-litre boot, six airbags and AEB while keeping RM5,000 in hand.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback 1.5 RS Petrol if you specifically want the RS Petrol trim and accept that the extra RM5,000 does not buy more power, torque or boot space.
Key differences
- Price: RM95,900 vs RM100,900
- Engine output: 119 hp/145 Nm vs 119 hp/145 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 10.7 seconds vs 10.7 seconds
- Top speed: 194 km/h vs 193 km/h
- Length: 4,350 mm vs 4,369 mm
- Boot space: 289 litres vs 289 litres
1.5 V
- RM5,000 cheaper
- Same 119 hp and 145 Nm
- Same six airbags and AEB
- Not the RS Petrol trim
- 19 mm shorter body
- No quicker than the pricier car
1.5 RS Petrol
- Gets the RS Petrol trim
- 19 mm longer body
- Same RM90 annual road tax
- Costs RM5,000 more
- No extra power or torque
- Top speed is 1 km/h lower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 95,900✓ | RM 100,900 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| 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 |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| 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 | 194 km/h✓ | 193 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,369 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,488 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,161 kg | 1,163 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 289 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Full size |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R57 | Toyo Proxes R57 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Drums | Drums |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear 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 | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight speakers | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Wireless 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 | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90 | RM 90 |
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.
1.5 V vs 1.5 RS Petrol FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V or Honda City Hatchback 1.5 RS Petrol better?
The Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V is better value. It matches the RS Petrol for engine output, CVT, front-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h, boot space, six airbags and AEB, while costing RM5,000 less.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback 1.5 RS Petrol costs RM5,000 more than the Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V.
Does the Honda City Hatchback 1.5 RS Petrol get more performance?
No. Both use a 1,498 cc petrol engine with 119 hp and 145 Nm, a CVT and front-wheel drive, and both do 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds.