Verdict
At RM84,900 against RM89,900, the Honda City 1.5 E asks RM5,000 more than the Honda City 1.5 S. It does not buy more engine, gearbox or safety hardware: both use the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with 119 hp and 145 Nm, a CVT, AEB, lane-keeping correction, adaptive cruise and front, side and curtain airbags. The money goes into cabin kit — auto climate control, the 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, eight speakers, rear USB ports and remote engine start.
Pick the Honda City 1.5 S if you want the lower monthly commitment and can live with manual air-con and a simpler Bluetooth audio setup.
Pick the Honda City 1.5 E if you will use the touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rear USB ports and remote engine start every day.
Key differences
- Price: RM84,900 (Honda City 1.5 S) vs RM89,900 (Honda City 1.5 E)
- Kerb weight: 1,125 kg (Honda City 1.5 S) vs 1,126 kg (Honda City 1.5 E)
- Front air-con: manual air-conditioning (Honda City 1.5 S) vs single-zone automatic climate control (Honda City 1.5 E)
- Audio: radio with Bluetooth and 4 speakers (Honda City 1.5 S) vs 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth and 8…
- Power sockets/USB: 1 front plus 1 front USB (Honda City 1.5 S) vs 1 front, 1 front USB plus 2 rear USB (Honda City 1.5 E)
- Convenience: no remote engine start (Honda City 1.5 S) vs remote engine start (Honda City 1.5 E)
1.5 S
- RM5,000 cheaper than the Honda City 1.5 E
- Same 119 hp, 145 Nm, CVT and 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time as the Honda City 1.5 E
- Same AEB with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping correction and adaptive cruise
- Manual air-conditioning; the Honda City 1.5 E gets single-zone automatic climate control
- Basic radio with Bluetooth and 4 speakers; no 8-inch touchscreen or wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- No rear USB ports or remote engine start
1.5 E
- 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 8 speakers
- Single-zone automatic climate control
- Adds 2 rear USB ports and remote engine start
- Costs RM5,000 more with the same 119 hp, 145 Nm and 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- No extra airbags or driver-assist systems over the Honda City 1.5 S
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM89,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 119 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 10.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,580 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,126 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 519 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" 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, 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 | 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 | Lead Car Departure Notification |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Projector |
| 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 |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 8" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Remote Engine Start |
| 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 | 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.
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1.5 S vs 1.5 E FAQ
Is the Honda City 1.5 S or Honda City 1.5 E better?
The Honda City 1.5 E is better equipped, but the Honda City 1.5 S is the sharper buy if you do not need the touchscreen, automatic climate control, rear USB ports or remote engine start.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City 1.5 E costs RM5,000 more than the Honda City 1.5 S.
Do the Honda City 1.5 S and Honda City 1.5 E perform the same?
Yes. Both have a 1,498 cc naturally aspirated petrol engine with 119 hp and 145 Nm, a CVT, front-wheel drive, a 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time and 5.6 L/100 km rated economy.