Verdict
At RM89,900, the Honda City costs RM59,100 less and keeps annual road tax to RM90, so it is the rational petrol sedan for a Malaysian buyer watching upfront and recurring costs. Its 119 hp, 145 Nm 1.5-litre needs 10.2 seconds to 100 km/h, however. The RM149,000 Tesla Model 3 is much quicker at 6.2 seconds, with 279 hp, 420 Nm and a claimed 534 km EV range. It is also larger, roomier in the boot and better equipped, but road tax rises to RM280 and its basic vehicle warranty is shorter.
The Model 3 Performance AWD (RM232,000) sits above every City variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Honda City if RM59,100 saved, RM90 annual road tax and an eight-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty matter more than EV performance and equipment.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge an EV and want 279 hp, 534 km of claimed range, a 594-litre boot and far stronger acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM89,900; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Power and torque: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Tesla Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 10.2 seconds; Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Energy use: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km rated economy; Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km claimed EV range.
- Dimensions: Honda City 4,577 mm long and 1,748 mm wide; Tesla Model 3 4,720 mm long and 2,089 mm wide.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
City
- RM59,100 cheaper to buy
- RM90 annual road tax
- Eight-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Tesla’s 279 hp and 420 Nm
- 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.0 seconds slower
- 519-litre boot is 75 litres smaller
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2-second 0-100 km/h
- 534 km claimed range with 170 kW DC charging
- 594-litre boot, seven airbags and blind-spot monitoring
- RM59,100 higher purchase price
- RM280 annual road tax versus RM90
- Four-year/80,000 km vehicle warranty versus eight years with unlimited mileage
What the City has over the Model 3
What the Model 3 has over the City
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Model 3 is 341 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model 3: 594 litres against 519.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM920/mo✓ | RM1,520/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,617✓ | RM4,122 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM2,229 | RM1,040✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.14 | RM5.20✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM24,679✓ | RM27,209 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 5.7 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 25 min |
| 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 at 6,600 rpm | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 279 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| V2L | — | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,577 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 14 inch | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | 16" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Honda LaneWatch | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers, Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 years) | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used City & Model 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Honda City
Tesla Model 3
City vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Honda City or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the more capable car on performance, boot space and equipment, with 279 hp and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The Honda City is the better cost-led choice at RM59,100 less, with lower road tax and longer vehicle warranty coverage.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000 and the Honda City costs RM89,900, a difference of RM59,100.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax and warranty coverage?
The Honda City has RM90 annual road tax against the Tesla Model 3’s RM280. Honda’s manufacturer warranty is eight years with unlimited mileage, while Tesla’s vehicle warranty is four years or 80,000 km; Tesla’s battery and drive unit are covered for eight years or 160,000 km.
How long does charging take?
The Model 3's 62.5 kWh battery takes about 5.7 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 170 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The City is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Model 3 is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.