Verdict
The Honda City is RM10,100 cheaper at RM84,900 and makes the stronger case for buyers who value active safety: it gets autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection, steering lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. Its 5.6 L/100 km rating also gives petrol buyers a clear running-cost reference. The RM95,000 Seres 3 is the roomier-shaped SUV alternative, 102 mm wider and 183 mm taller, with a 161 hp/300 Nm motor, 53.6 kWh battery and 340 km range. It also has a slightly larger 525-litre boot, but lacks the City’s listed driver-assistance systems.
Pick the Honda City if active safety, adaptive cruise control and a RM10,100 lower purchase price matter more than EV range and SUV proportions.
Pick the Seres 3 if you want a 340 km electric SUV with 300 Nm, a 525-litre boot and more cabin-oriented equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Seres 3 RM95,000.
- Powertrain: Honda City 119 hp/145 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine; Seres 3 161 hp/300 Nm electric motor.
- Energy use: Honda City rated at 5.6 L/100 km; Seres 3 has a 53.6 kWh battery and 340 km EV range.
- Dimensions: Honda City is 4,580 mm long, 1,748 mm wide and 1,467 mm tall; Seres 3 is 4,385 mm, 1,850 mm and 1,650 mm.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Seres 3 525 litres.
- Driver assistance: Honda City has autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control; Seres 3 has no lane-keeping assist and passive cruise…
City
- RM10,100 lower price.
- Autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- Adaptive cruise control and steering lane-keeping assist.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Seres 3’s 161 hp and 300 Nm.
- 519-litre boot is 6 litres smaller.
- Halogen projector headlamps versus LED projectors.
3
- 161 hp and 300 Nm electric motor.
- 53.6 kWh battery with 340 km range.
- LED projectors, powered front seats and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with six speakers.
- Costs RM10,100 more.
- No listed autonomous braking or collision warning, and no lane-keeping assist.
- Passive cruise control versus the City’s adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM95,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| 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 | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio 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 | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" 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 and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Boot |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 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 & 3 for sale
City vs 3 FAQ
Is the Honda City or Seres 3 better?
The Honda City is the better choice for a lower upfront price and the stronger listed safety package. Choose the Seres 3 instead if a 340 km EV range, 300 Nm motor torque and SUV body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Seres 3 costs RM95,000, which is RM10,100 more than the Honda City at RM84,900.
Which has more luggage space?
The Seres 3 has the larger boot at 525 litres, narrowly ahead of the Honda City’s 519 litres. Both seat five and have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.