Verdict
The Honda City is the rational Malaysian buy at RM84,900, undercutting the Toyota Corolla by RM59,900 while bringing a 519-litre boot, 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Corolla’s RM144,800 price buys a larger C-segment body, 137 hp and 172 Nm versus 119 hp and 145 Nm, plus double-wishbone rear suspension, 17-inch wheels and a far richer cabin. It is the more substantial sedan, but the City gives up surprisingly little where active safety and luggage matter.
Pick the Honda City if you want the lower-cost sedan with a 519-litre boot, rated 5.6 L/100 km consumption and autonomous braking with lane-keeping steering correction.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you want 137 hp, a 2,700-mm wheelbase, double-wishbone rear suspension and features such as dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera and an eight-way power driver’s seat.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Dimensions: Honda City 4,580 mm long with a 2,600-mm wheelbase; Toyota Corolla 4,630 mm long with a 2,700-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Rear suspension: Honda City torsion beam; Toyota Corolla double wishbone.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Toyota Corolla 17-inch alloys with 225/45R17 tyres.
City
- 519-litre boot is 49 litres larger.
- Autonomous braking detects pedestrians at night and cyclists.
- Lane-keeping steering correction is fitted.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Corolla’s 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus the Corolla’s double wishbone.
- Manual air-conditioning and a four-speaker Bluetooth radio trail the Corolla’s dual-zone climate control and six-speaker touchscreen.
Corolla
- 137 hp and 172 Nm from the 1.8-litre engine.
- Double-wishbone rear suspension and 17-inch wheels.
- 360-degree camera, auto wipers and eight-way power driver’s seat.
- Costs RM59,900 more.
- 470-litre boot is 49 litres smaller than the City’s.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist is listed, where the City has both.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM144,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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 | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 137 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 172 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| 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 | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| 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 | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM279 |
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 & Corolla for sale
City vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Honda City or Toyota Corolla better?
The Corolla is better equipped and more powerful, with 137 hp, double-wishbone rear suspension and a 360-degree camera. The City is the stronger value choice, with a larger 519-litre boot plus autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla costs RM59,900 more than the Honda City: RM144,800 against RM84,900.
Which sedan has the larger boot?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres. The Toyota Corolla has 470 litres, a 49-litre shortfall despite its longer 4,630-mm body and 2,700-mm wheelbase.