Verdict
At RM84,900, the Honda City is RM12,000 dearer than the Perodua Aruz, but its 119 hp and 145 Nm beat the SUV’s 101 hp and 133 Nm. It also has a rated 5.6 L/100 km against 6.4 L/100 km, a 519-litre boot and autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Aruz makes the stronger case for seven seats, its rear air-con blower and a 2,685-mm wheelbase, but its 213-litre boot is much smaller.
Pick the Honda City if you want stronger 119 hp performance, a 519-litre boot and active safety including autonomous braking.
Pick the Perodua Aruz if you need seven seats, rear air-con with a blower and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Perodua Aruz RM72,900
- Output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Perodua Aruz 101 hp and 133 Nm
- Rated fuel economy: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km; Perodua Aruz 6.4 L/100 km
- Seating: Honda City 5 seats; Perodua Aruz 7 seats
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Perodua Aruz 213 litres
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Perodua Aruz 2,685 mm
City
- 119 hp and 145 Nm from the 1.5-litre petrol engine
- Rated 5.6 L/100 km fuel economy
- Autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection
- RM12,000 higher purchase price
- Five seats versus the Aruz’s seven
- No front parking sensors listed; the Aruz has two
Aruz
- Seven-seat layout with one-touch tumble middle-row seats
- Rear air-con vents with a blower
- Two front and two rear parking sensors, plus a reverse camera
- 101 hp and 133 Nm trail the City’s 119 hp and 145 Nm
- Rated fuel economy is 6.4 L/100 km versus 5.6 L/100 km
- No autonomous braking is listed, while the City detects pedestrians and cyclists at night
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900 | RM72,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 101 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm✓ | 133 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 72 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 4 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km✓ | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,435 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,685 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,300 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza 001A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Live Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, manual recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Air-con (digital controls with memory function) |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Last Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 3 Front, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 6 speakers |
| 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Automatic Door-Lock Past 20 km/h |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five 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 & Aruz for sale
City vs Aruz FAQ
Is the Honda City or Perodua Aruz better?
The Honda City is better for performance, rated fuel use, luggage space and active safety. The Perodua Aruz is better if seven seats and rear air-con with a blower matter more than a 519-litre boot or autonomous braking.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM12,000 more than the Perodua Aruz: RM84,900 versus RM72,900.
Which one has more luggage space?
The Honda City has the larger listed boot at 519 litres, against 213 litres for the Perodua Aruz. The Aruz trades that luggage capacity for its seven-seat layout.