Verdict
The Honda City costs RM84,900 against RM165,000 for the Renault Zoe, a RM80,100 gap. For a Malaysian family car, the City’s 519-litre boot, five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and six airbags make a strong practical case. The Zoe counters with a 52 kWh battery, 395 km EV range and 225 Nm from its single motor, versus the Honda’s 145 Nm. But it is 377 kg heavier and its 338-litre boot is far smaller. The Zoe also has LED projectors and faster-tech cabin hardware, while the City brings autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Pick the Honda City if you want the RM80,100 saving, a 519-litre boot, six airbags and autonomous braking.
Pick the Renault Zoe if a 395 km electric range, 225 Nm motor torque and AC charging at up to 22 kW matter more than purchase price and boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Renault Zoe RM165,000.
- Powertrain: Honda City 1.5-litre petrol with 119 hp and 145 Nm; Renault Zoe single motor with 108 hp and 225 Nm.
- Energy use/range: Honda City rated at 5.6 L/100 km; Renault Zoe has a 52.0 kWh battery and 395 km range.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Renault Zoe 338 litres.
- Weight: Honda City 1,125 kg; Renault Zoe 1,502 kg.
- Safety airbags: Honda City six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags; Renault Zoe four airbags with front side airbags.
City
- RM80,100 cheaper with a 519-litre boot.
- Autonomous braking detects pedestrians at night and cyclists.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and rear air-con vents.
- Halogen projector headlamps versus the Zoe’s LED projectors.
- Four-speaker Bluetooth radio versus the Zoe’s 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and six speakers.
- 145 Nm trails the Zoe’s 225 Nm motor torque.
Zoe
- 52.0 kWh battery, 395 km range and 22 kW AC charging.
- 225 Nm motor torque and 50 kW CCS2 DC charging.
- LED projector headlamps, 7-inch touchscreen and six speakers.
- Costs RM80,100 more than the City.
- 338-litre boot is 181 litres smaller than the City’s.
- Four airbags and no listed autonomous braking or collision warning, where the City has six airbags and autonomous braking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM165,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 108 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 225 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 52.0 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 395 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Renault |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,087 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,787 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,588 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,502 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 338 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental ContiEcoContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| 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 and Passenger, Front Side |
| 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 front passenger seat, two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| 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 Projectors |
| 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-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Easy Link with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM50✓ |
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 & Zoe for sale
City vs Zoe FAQ
Is the Honda City or Renault Zoe better?
The Honda City is the better practical buy for its far lower price, 519-litre boot, six airbags and autonomous braking. Choose the Renault Zoe specifically for its 395 km EV range, 225 Nm motor torque and charging capability.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Zoe costs RM80,100 more than the Honda City.
Which car has the larger boot?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, compared with 338 litres in the Renault Zoe. That is a 181-litre advantage for the Honda.