Verdict
The Honda City keeps ownership light with 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and RM90 road tax, yet it still has five seats, a 519-litre boot and active safety with night pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Honda CR-V asks a much bigger cheque, but the money goes into a larger C-segment SUV body, 589 litres of boot space, quicker 8.9-second 0-100 km/h pace and far richer cabin kit. It is not just a taller City; it is heavier, dearer to tax and thirstier on paper.
Pick the Honda City if you want the lower-cost five-seat Honda with better rated economy, cheaper road tax and sedan-sized ease.
Pick the Honda CR-V if you need SUV space, stronger hybrid-assisted performance and more comfort and safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Honda CR-V RM178,200
- Powertrain: Honda City 1.5L petrol, 119 hp and 145 Nm; Honda CR-V 2.0L petrol hybrid/REV with 146 hp/190 Nm engine and 181 hp/335 Nm motors
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 10.2 seconds; Honda CR-V 8.9 seconds
- Rated economy: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km; Honda CR-V 7.0 L/100 km
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Honda CR-V 589 litres
- Road tax: Honda City RM90 a year; Honda CR-V RM437 a year
City
- Much cheaper to buy at RM84,900
- Lower rated fuel use at 5.6 L/100 km
- Lower yearly road tax at RM90
- Slower to 100 km/h: 10.2 seconds versus 8.9 seconds
- Smaller boot: 519 litres versus 589 litres
- Less equipment: halogen projector headlamps and manual air-con versus LED reflectors and dual-zone climate control
CR-V
- Quicker 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Bigger cabin package with a 589-litre boot and sliding, reclining rear seats
- Adds blind spot info, auto wipers and a hands-free power boot
- RM93,300 dearer to buy
- Higher rated fuel use at 7.0 L/100 km
- Higher yearly road tax at RM437
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 84,900✓ | RM 178,200 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 146 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 190 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 13.9 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 8.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km✓ | 7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,691 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,866 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,681 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,701 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,616 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 57 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 589 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 437 |
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 vs CR-V FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda CR-V better?
The Honda CR-V is better for space, pace and equipment. The Honda City is the better buy if running costs matter more, with lower fuel use, lower road tax and a far lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Honda CR-V costs RM93,300 more than the Honda City. Road tax also rises from RM90 a year in the City to RM437 in the CR-V.
Which has more boot space?
The Honda CR-V has the larger boot at 589 litres. The Honda City is still generous for a B-segment sedan at 519 litres, but it gives away 70 litres to the SUV.