Verdict
The Honda City is the rational Malaysian buy at RM84,900, undercutting the RM113,800 Nissan Kicks e-Power by RM28,900. It gives you a 519-litre boot, rear air vents, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction, despite the sedan’s smaller 15-inch wheels. The Kicks counters with a 136-hp, 280-Nm motor and 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time, against the City’s 119 hp, 145 Nm and 10.2 seconds. Its SUV body, 17-inch wheels and eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty suit buyers prepared to pay more.
Pick the Honda City if you want to spend RM28,900 less while getting the larger 519-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Nissan Kicks e-Power if you want the quicker 9.5-second 0-100 km/h response, SUV form and 136-hp, 280-Nm electric motor.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Nissan Kicks e-Power RM113,800.
- Performance: Honda City 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds; Nissan Kicks e-Power in 9.5 seconds.
- Drive output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Nissan Kicks e-Power motor 136 hp and 280 Nm.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Nissan Kicks e-Power 423 litres.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Nissan Kicks e-Power 2,673 mm.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Nissan Kicks e-Power 17-inch alloys with 205/55R17 tyres.
City
- RM28,900 lower price
- Larger 519-litre boot with rear air vents
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction
- Slower 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 15-inch wheels and 185/60R15 tyres
- No front foglamps or automatic climate control
Kicks e-Power
- 136-hp, 280-Nm electric motor
- Quicker 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 17-inch wheels, LED headlamps and front foglamps
- Costs RM28,900 more
- Smaller 423-litre boot
- Passive cruise control and no lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM113,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM85✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,198 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 82 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm✓ | 103 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 136 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 2.1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 9.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 21.7 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,384 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,813 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,610 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,673 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 41 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 423 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Yokohama BluEarth E70 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 & Kicks e-Power for sale
City vs Kicks e-Power FAQ
Is the Honda City or Nissan Kicks e-Power better?
The Honda City is better for value, luggage capacity and driver assistance, with a 519-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction. The Nissan Kicks e-Power is better if quicker acceleration and SUV proportions matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM84,900 and the Nissan Kicks e-Power costs RM113,800, so the Kicks carries a RM28,900 premium.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda City has the bigger boot at 519 litres, 96 litres more than the Nissan Kicks e-Power’s 423 litres. The City also has rear air vents, while the Kicks does not list them.