Honda City 2023 Facelift

2023 Honda City facelift – spec-by-spec comparison of S, E, V and RS Malaysian variants, fr. RM85k to RM112k

In Cars, Honda, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 11 August 2023 1:25 pm / 21 comments
The 2023 Honda City facelift, which was officially launched in Malaysia yesterday, arrives on the scene with some minor exterior styling revisions as well as updated equipment. Like with the pre-facelift, the B-segment sedan continues to be offered in five variant forms, the complement made up of four petrol units and a hybrid.

The petrol versions are the S, E, V and a new petrol RS, which replaces the previous V-Sensing variant, with the RS e:HEV hybrid sitting at the top of the model range. Pricing starts at RM84,900 for the S, while the E retails for RM89,900, the V for RM94,900 and the RS for RM99,900. As for the City e:HEV RS, it is priced at RM111,900. All prices are on-the-road without insurance.

The petrol variants continue to be powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four DOHC i-VTEC engine, carried over from the pre-facelift without any changes. As such, the unit continues to offer 121 PS (119 hp or 89 kW) at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, and it remains paired with the CVT from before.

No changes to the hybrid powertrain on the e:HEV RS either. The Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system features an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm. This is juiced by a lithium-ion battery that is charged by a second electric motor linked to a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine.

The petrol mill is rated at 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 127 Nm of torque, and while it largely acts as a generator, it can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive to the wheels at higher speeds where it is most efficient.

Aside from new exterior styling for both the front and rear, the refresh introduces a higher level of kit from the get-go. The City facelift now comes with six airbags and Honda Sensing as standard across the range, although only the RS e:HEV features a Low Speed Follow function for the latter.

The S, E, V and petrol RS omits this one due to their mechanical parking brake, but everything else from the safety suite is on. In that kitbag is Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System (autonomous emergency braking), Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lead Car Departure Notification and Auto High Beam.

Kit-wise, the base S comes fitted with 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels (185/60 profile tyres), automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED DRLs, keyless entry and start with walk away auto lock, paddle shifters (new for the S), a 4.2-inch multi-info full colour instrument cluster display, manual air-conditioning (with rear vents), one USB port, a multi-angle reverse camera and a standard audio system with Bluetooth and four speakers.

The E variant adds on remote engine start, another front USB port, two rear USB ports, four tweeters, single-zone automatic climate control as well as an eight-inch Display Audio touchscreen head unit that supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also, its 15-inch wheels feature a dual-tone finish, while its door handles are done in chrome.

Moving up to the V adds on 16-inch single-tone alloys (with 185/55 profile tyres), automatic LED headlamps, front LED fog lamps, leather upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel/gear knob. The variant also gets the automaker’s LaneWatch side-view camera system.

The petrol RS nets you the specification’s exterior styling and badging, 16-inch dual-tone alloys as well as a sportier-looking black interior, complete with red contrast stitching elements. Also going on are a seven-inch digital instrument cluster (with red intrument cluster pointer needles), sports pedals, Honda Connect telematics as well as support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The range-topping City RS e:HEV adds on the Low Speed Follow function mentioned earlier as well as a deceleration selector paddle for the i-MMD system. As for exterior colours, all five variants share three exterior colours, namely Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl. The petrol variants get two additional options, these being Crystal Black Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.

The City facelift comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and free labour service (applicable up to five times within 100,000 km or five years), and the hybrid variant also comes with an eight-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for its lithium-ion battery. Honda Connect is available as a cost option for the S, E and V variants.

Here’s the detailed list of the specifications available on each 2023 City facelify variant:

2023 Honda City 1.5L S facelift – RM84,900

Gets as standard:
Mechanicals
- 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine
- 121 PS (119 hp) at 6,600 rpm, 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm
- CVT automatic transmission with ECON mode
- Electric power steering (EPS)
- Mechanical parking brake
- MacPherson strut suspension (front), torsion beam (rear)
- Ventilated disc brakes (front), drum (rear)
- 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds
- 1,125 kg kerb weight
Exterior
- Automatic halogen projector headlamps
- LED daytime running lights
- LED rear combination lights
- 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels with 185/60 profile tyres
- Power adjustable and folding side mirrors with turn signals
- Shark fin antenna
- Body-coloured door handles
Interior
- Smart entry with push-start button
- Urethane steering wheel and gear knob
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- Steering wheel audio controls
- Steering paddle shifters
- Standard audio system with Bluetooth, hands-free phone
- One USB port
- Four speakers
- Analogue meter panel with 4.2-inch TFT full colour multi-info display
- Manual air-conditioning with rear vents
- Fabric upholstery
- Centre console with armrest
- 60:40 split folding rear seats
- 15-inch steel spare wheel
- 519 litre boot space
Safety
- Six airbags (front, side, side curtain)
- Honda Sensing driver assistance safety suite
- VSA, ABS, EBD, brake assist
- Hill start assist
- Emergency stop signal
- Front and rear seat belt reminder
- Rear seat Isofix child seat anchors with top tethers
- Walk-away auto lock
- Two reverse sensors
2023 Honda City 1.5L E facelift – RM89,900

Adds on:
Exterior
- Chrome door handles
- 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels
- 1,126 kg kerb weight
Interior
- Remote engine start
- Single-zone auto air con
- 8.0-inch touchscreen display audio
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Eight speakers
- Two front and two rear USB ports
Safety
- Reverse camera, multi-angle
2023 Honda City 1.5L V facelift – RM94,900

Adds on:
Mechanicals
- 1,136 kg kerb weight
- Rear disc brakes
Exterior
- Automatic LED headlamps
- LED front fog lamps
- 16-inch single-tone alloy wheels with 185/55 profile tyres
- 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds
Interior
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob
- Leather upholstery
Safety
- Honda LaneWatch camera
2023 Honda City 1.5L RS petrol facelift – RM99,900

Adds on:
Mechanicals
- 1,139 kg kerb weight
Exterior
- RS styling and badges
- Gloss black front grille with honeycomb mesh
- Gloss black wing mirror caps
- Rear diffuser
- Bootlid spoiler in gloss black
- 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Body-coloured door handles
Interior
- Leather and ultrasuede upholstery with red stitching
- Red stitching on steering, gear lever boot, centre tunnel and dashboard
- Black headliner
- 7.0-inch TFT high definition digital display
- Red instrument cluster pointer needles
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Sport aluminium pedals
Safety
- Honda Connect telematics system
2023 Honda City RS e:HEV facelift – RM111,900

Adds on:
Mechanicals
- i-MMD hybrid powertrain
- 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine
- 98 PS (97 hp) at 5,600 to 6,400 rpm, 127 Nm at 4,500 to 5,000 rpm
- Electric motor with 108 PS (107 hp) and 253 Nm from 0 to 3,000 rpm
- e-CVT automatic transmission with ECON mode
- Electric parking brake with auto brake hold function
- 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds
- 1,250 kg kerb weight
Interior
- Deceleration selector paddle for i-MMD
- Temporary tyre repair kit
- 410 litre boot space
Safety
- Honda Sensing driver assistance safety suite
GALLERY: 2023 Honda City e:HEV RS facelift

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City 1.5 RS facelift

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift Malaysian brochure

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift official photos
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2023 Honda City facelift launched in Malaysia – new petrol RS; Sensing for all; wireless AA/AC; fr RM85k

In Cars, Honda, Local Car Launches, Local News / By Gerard Lye / 10 August 2023 11:12 am / 28 comments

The new Honda City facelift makes its launch debut in Malaysia today, bringing with it a number of styling and equipment revisions. As before, five variants of the B-segment sedan will be offered, one featuring a hybrid powertrain while the rest are non-hybrids.

The non-hybrid variants are the S, E, V and a new RS, the last of which replaces the previous V-Sensing, while the sole hybrid option is the e:HEV RS. Pricing starts at RM84,900 for the S, while the E retails for RM89,900, the V for RM94,900 and the RS for RM99,900. The sole hybrid option is the e:HEV RS that sells for RM111,900.

Compared to the pre-facelift City, the price of the S has gone up by RM7,300, the E by RM4,300, the V by RM4,300, the e:HEV RS by RM3,100, while the petrol-only RS is RM5,300 more than the V-Sensing it replaces.

Non-hybrids continue to be powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four DOHC i-VTEC engine that delivers 121 PS (119 hp or 89 kW) at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, with drive going to the front wheels via a CVT.

Meanwhile, e:HEV RS features the same Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system as before. As such, the front wheels are driven by an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm. Power for the electric motor is provided by a lithium-ion battery that is charged by a second electric motor linked to a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle.

The hybrid’s petrol mill is rated at 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 127 Nm of torque, and while it acts as a generator most of the time, it can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive to the wheels at higher speeds where it is most efficient.

It should be noted that the non-hybrid V and RS variants come with rear brake discs, which is something the previous V and now-departed V-Sensing didn’t come with. An electronic parking brake remains exclusive to the hybrid e:HEV RS, with other variants receiving a conventional handbrake instead.

As part of the facelift, the City’s grille sports a slimmer chrome bar at the top edge, along with a revised insert featuring black slats. The front bumper is also new with reshaped cutouts for the fog lamp enclosures and a redesigned lower intake with the same insert as the main grille.

For RS models, the chrome bar is finished in black and the grille gets a honeycomb mesh insert. The lower intake is also different as it has a diamond-patterned mesh framed by additional trim simulating air inlets. RS models also come with a rear diffuser-like element, a boot spoiler, side skirts and slightly new ‘RS’ emblems.

With the new front and rear ends, the City is slightly longer overall when compared to the pre-facelift model. Non-RS models now measure 4,580 mm long (+27 mm), while RS models are 4,589 mm (+36 mm), but their width (1,748 mm), height (1,467 mm) and wheelbase (2,600 mm) remain unchanged. Similarly, the non-hybrids maintain their boot capacity of 519 litres, with the hybrid option offering 410 litres instead.

While the exterior is noticeably different from before, the interior remains largely familiar with an unchanged dashboard design. The S and E variants continue to come with a urethane steering wheel and shift knob, along with fabric seat upholstery, while the V and RS cars get leather appointments.

In terms of equipment, we start with the base S variant, which comes standard with 15-inch alloy wheels (185/60 profile tyres), automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED DRLs, keyless entry and start with walk away auto lock, paddle shifters (new for the S), a 4.2-inch multi-info instrument cluster display, manual air-conditioning (with rear vents), one USB port, a multi-angle reverse camera and a standard audio system with Bluetooth and four speakers.

The E variant builds upon the S by adding remote engine start, another front USB port, two rear USB ports, four tweeters, single-zone automatic climate control as well as an eight-inch Display Audio touchscreen head unit that supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Stepping up to the V adds on 16-inch alloys (185/55 profile tyres), automatic LED headlamps, front LED fog lamps and the Honda LaneWatch side-view camera system.

Going for the non-hybrid RS nets you a kit list similar to the V, but improved to include a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, sports pedals, Honda Connect telematics as well as support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With the e:HEV RS, you get the RS’ goodies plus auto brake hold thanks to the inclusion of an electronic parking brake.

The range-topper also gets the full and improved Honda Sensing suite, which now includes the new Low Speed Follow and Lead Car Departure Notification. The latter, along with returning systems – Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System (autonomous emergency braking), Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Auto High Beam – are also now standard for all variants.

2023 Honda City facelift spec sheet; click to enlarge

Making Honda Sensing standard for all variants is significant, as the suite was previously only offered with V-Sensing and hybrid e:HEV RS. Another safety-related change worth noting is six airbags are now standard across the range (previously only offered from the V onwards). The usual array of passive systems (VSA, ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill start assist, emergency stop signal, and ISOFIX child seat anchors) remain standard on all variants.

The non-hybrid and e:HEV RS variants share three exterior colours, namely Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl. Customers who go with any of the non-hybrids will also have two addition options: Crystal Black Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.

Honda Malaysia also offers a range of optional accessories for the City, including two Modulo packages. The complete package (available for S, E and V variants) adds on an accent garnish for the front lower apron, under spoilers for the front, sides and rear, along with a boot spoiler. There’s also the Modulo 1.0 package (available for all variants) that only includes front and rear under spoilers.

2023 Honda City facelift optional accessories; click to enlarge

The S, E and V variants can also be optioned with the Urban package that adds door visors, footwell lighting, door sill garnish and sports pedals, the last of which is dropped for the Urban 1.0 package available for all variants.

Another available add-on is the Utility package that includes a car cover, boot tray, boot organiser, door handle covers and reflective film for the door panels. There’s also the Protection package if you need wheel lock nuts as well as window and body coating; a tint film package (Ray Barrier tint from Ecotint); and front and rear dashcams.

A five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and free labour service (applicable up to five times within 100,000 km or five years) are included with each purchase. The hybrid variant also comes with an eight-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for its lithium-ion battery. Honda Connect is also an option for S, E and V variants.

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City e:HEV RS facelift

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City 1.5 RS facelift

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift Malaysian brochure

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift official photos

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2023 Honda City facelift open for booking in Malaysia – Low Speed Follow, LCDN added to Honda Sensing

In Cars, Honda, Local News / By Gerard Lye / 18 July 2023 11:51 am / 13 comments

Honda Malaysia has announced the start of order taking for the new Honda City facelift, which will be launched in the third quarter (Q3) of this year. The updated B-segment sedan first made its debut in India and has already gone on sale in Thailand earlier this month.

UPDATE: The new Honda City facelift has been launched in Malaysia.

For now, we’re only shown the e:HEV RS variant, which the company says is longer than before at 4,589 mm (+36 mm), while retaining the same width (1,748 mm), height (1,467 mm) and wheelbase (2,600 mm).

As we’ve seen in markets where the new City is already launched, the design changes include a new front bumper that features redesigned fog lamp enclosures as well as additional trim (simulating air inlets) on the sides of the honeycomb mesh insert.

The grille has also been altered to have a slimmer chrome bar at the top edge, accompanied by a new pin-style insert. The RS model specifically gets a new rear diffuser-like element (non-RS variants will likely not get this), side skirts and slightly revised ‘RS’ emblems. Those 16-inch alloy wheels are unchanged in terms of size but they carry a new design.

Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system is the same as before, with the front wheels being driven by an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm. The electric motor draws power from a lithium-ion battery that is charged via a second electric motor linked to a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle.

The petrol mill is rated at 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 127 Nm of torque and can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive to the wheels at higher speeds where it is most efficient.

In addition to the hybrid powertrain, the City should also carry over the standard 1.5 litre NA four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC unit with 121 PS (119 hp or 89 kW) and 145 Nm. This is paired exclusively with a CVT and should apply to the non-hybrid variants – the pre-facelift came in S, E, V and V-Sensing guises.

Honda Malaysia is withholding full equipment details for now, but it has confirmed that the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems is improved with the facelift. New features are Low Speed Follow (LSF) and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN), with the former working in conjunction with the already available Adaptive Cruise Control.

Other returning features include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS or autonomous emergency braking), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Auto High Beam (AHB).

You can now place a booking for the new City at official dealerships or using the online car pre-booking service, the latter also accessible via the HondaTouch mobile app. The company notes that since the launch of the fifth-generation City in October 2020, 68,600 units have been sold. In the first half of 2023, 10,000 units of the B-segment sedan have been delivered to customers.

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift (Thailand market)

GALLERY: 2022 Honda City e:HEV RS (Malaysia market)

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2023 Honda City facelift launched in Thailand – visual, kit changes; Honda Sensing for all variants; fr RM84k

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Gerard Lye / 5 July 2023 6:22 pm / 12 comments

The Honda City facelift has made its official launch debut in Thailand, where it continues to be offered in five variants. However, the line-up has been revised, with the previous S variant being dropped in favour of a new e:HEV SV option.

As such, the range now starts with the V priced at 629,000 baht (RM83,909), which is followed by the SV at 679,000 baht (RM90,579), the RS at 749,000 baht (RM99,917), the e:HEV SV at 769,000 baht (RM102,555) and the e:HEV RS at 839,000 baht (RM111,921).

No changes to the powertrains, as the V, SV and RS continue to feature a 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine making 122 PS (121 hp or 90 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 173 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. The VTEC Turbo unit drives the front wheels through a CVT as before.

Meanwhile, the e:HEV variants retain Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system that sees the front wheels be driven by an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm. The petrol mill can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive at higher speeds, where it is most efficient.

While the mechanicals are unchanged, the City’s styling has been updated with a slimmer chrome bar at the front, which necessitates a new insert design for the grille and lower intake. The multi-slat design is applicable to all non-RS variants, while the RS models get a honeycomb pattern instead. RS models also come with skid skirts, fog lamps and a different lower apron, the last of which is sportier in look and visually connected to the fog lamp enclosures via black trim.

Other revisions include a new rear bumper, with the RS models gaining a prominent diffuser-like element to go along with their black boot lid spoiler – this colour is also applied to the shark fin antenna and side mirror covers.

As always, customers in Thailand can add on parts from the Modulo catalogue if they fancy dressing up their purchase, with options being fender and front garnishes, side skirts, front and rear under spoilers, Modulo wheels and a more expressive boot spoiler.

Moving inside, the City remains the same dashboard design as before, with notable revisions being a new 4.2-inch TFT multi-info display for VTEC Turbo variants. Meanwhile RS models gain combination leather and synthetic leather upholstery instead of leather and suede, and SV models now come with dark red synthetic leather trim on the centre console and door panels to contrast the black-themed cabin.

Breaking down the kit list for VTEC Turbo variants, the V and SV come with automatic projector headlamps, 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic air-conditioning, keyless entry and start, remote engine start, an idling stop system, an eight-inch Advanced Touch head unit (the V gets a basic, non-touchscreen system), wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four speakers, four airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, VSA, hill start assist, a multi-angle reverse camera (the V doesn’t get this) and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

The RS builds upon the SV with its LED headlamps, sporty 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, paddle shifters, two power outlets for rear passengers, a rear armrest, eight speakers, six airbags and Honda Connect telematics system.

Progressing to the hybrids, the e:HEV SV is similar to the turbo-powered SV, albeit with variant-specific items like 16-inch alloys, rear vents, an electronic parking brake (with auto brake hold), a seven-inch display in the instrument cluster and two USB-C ports at the rear.

The e:HEV RS’ kit list builds upon the e:HEV RS by incorporating features present on the turbo-powered RS, which includes LED headlamps, the sporty 16-inch wheels, eight speakers and six airbags. The range-topper is also the only one to come with Honda LaneWatch.

2023 Honda City facelift Thailand spec sheet; click to enlarge

On that mention, one of the most significant upgrades that are part of this facelift is the addition of Honda Sensing to every variant of the City in Thailand – it was only offered with the pre-facelift e:HEV RS previously.

These systems include Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW), Auto High-Beam (AHB) and Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN). Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is also part of the suite, and on e:HEV variants, the system has been improved with a low-speed follow function.

The standard fitment of Honda Sensing on the City is also something that is expected in Malaysia if we refer to an unofficial spec sheet of the facelifted range that has been making its way around social media. Said spec sheet also claims the petrol-only V Sensing will be renamed simply to the RS, and all non-hybrid variants will gain rear disc brakes instead of drums.

After Thailand, it’s fair to say that Malaysia should be next to welcome the City facelift, seeing how camouflaged units have already been spotted here. There’s no official word from Honda Malaysia just yet, but based on Thailand specifications, are you hoping we get some of these changes?

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2023 Honda City facelift launching in Thailand on July 5 – Malaysia to get Honda Sensing for all variants?

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Gerard Lye / 30 June 2023 9:56 am / 9 comments

Following its debut in India back in March, the new Honda City facelift will soon go on sale in Thailand, with an official launch set to take place on July 5. The refreshed B-segment sedan, which is currently in its fifth generation, will get some styling tweaks as well as an updated kit list.

UPDATE: The Honda City facelift has been launched in Thailand. Full specs and details, here.

An image posted by Honda Thailand shows the visual changes that the City will get, most of which were already seen on the model sold in India. At the front, the sedan sports a slimmer chrome bar and a new honeycomb mesh insert for the grille. The front bumper has also been redesigned so the fog lamp sections are visually connected to the lower intake by way of black trim.

As for the rear bumper, it now comes with a black diffuser-like element, repositioned reflectors and a small lip spoiler on the boot lid. Both cars pictured are in RS guise, with variant-specific touches being a front spoiler lip, black side mirrors, side skirts and a black bar on the grille (as seen on the blue unit). Expect a few updates to the interior beyond new colours or patterns for the trim and upholstery, and possibly a new head unit.

In terms of powertrains, the Thailand-market City should soldier on with the same two offerings, with the first being a 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder rated at 122 PS (121 hp or 90 kW) and 173 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT driving the front wheels.

The other option is an e:HEV hybrid where an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm drives the front wheels. This is powered by a lithium-ion battery that is charged by a 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine developing 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 127 Nm, with an integrated electric motor acting as a generator and a starter. The petrol mill can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive at higher speeds, where it is most efficient.

According to a report by Headlightmag, the facelift will see turbo variants be offered with Honda Sensing, which was previously only available with the e:HEV RS. The suite of driver assists includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beam and Adaptive Cruise Control – LaneWatch is also included.

2023 Honda City facelift Malaysian unofficial spec sheet leak

It’s fair to say that after Thailand, Malaysia should be next to welcome the City facelift – camouflaged units have already been spotted here. Honda Malaysia hasn’t announced anything yet, but an unofficial spec sheet that recently surfaced on our Facebook discussion page suggests some significant updates are in order.

At the top of the list is standard fitment of Honda Sensing on every variant of the City – this was previously only available with the V Sensing and e:HEV RS. On that mention, the spec sheet also claims the petrol-only V Sensing will be renamed simply to the RS, and all non-hybrid variants will gain rear disc brakes instead of drums.

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift (India market)

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2023 Honda City facelift spied on test in Malaysia

In Cars, Honda, Local News / By Mick Chan / 15 May 2023 4:18 pm / 11 comments

The 2023 Honda City facelift has been sighted running tests on Malaysian roads, photographed here courtesy of paultan.org reader Mayr Naru who sighted the revised B-segment sedan in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

Honda’s facelifted City sedan made its official debut in India in March this year, though not before a selection of images were leaked the month before. Here, we have a sole image of the updated City showing its rear end, which is shown wearing camouflage foil.

The tail lamp clusters appear largely as they were on the pre-facelift, albeit with key changes visible, particularly at the lower edge of the rear bumper where the outlines of protrusions can be seen beneath the camouflage foil. Referring back to the official images of the City facelift from its India debut, these match the diffuser-like elements along the lower section.

Other exterior revisions to the City facelift include a slimmer chrome bar and new honeycomb grille on its front end, while the lower section of the front bumper gets redesigned to house new black trim between the fog lamps and the central lower intake. Meanwhile, the LED headlamps are unchanged.

2023 Honda City facelift

Available equipment in the facelifted City at its debut includes a seven-inch full-colour TFT instrument panel, and eight-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six airbags, rain-sensing wipers, ambient lighting, a wireless charger, eight speakers, automatic air-conditioning with PM2.5 filter and rear vents, keyless entry and engine start, an electric sunroof, a manual rear windscreen sunshade and tyre pressure monitoring.

The range of powertrains for the City facelift at its India debut is comprised of the 1.5 litre i-VTEC naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm.

This is joined by the 1.5 litre Atkinsion-cycle four-cylinder VTEC DOHC petrol engine producing 98 PS and 127 Nm for the City Hybrid, and serves as a generator via an electric motor for the hybrid drive battery, which powers another electric motor for propulsion; this is rated at 109 PS and 253 Nm.

GALLERY: 2023 Honda City facelift

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Honda Malaysia set to launch four new models in 2023 – WR-V, CR-V, FL5 Civic Type R and City facelift

In Cars, Honda, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 20 March 2023 10:13 am / 24 comments

Honda Malaysia is set to introduce four new vehicles in 2023, three of which will be all-new models, and the fourth a facelift. This was revealed in the business plan briefing the company held during its media night last Friday.

One of the four models was highlighted – while not specifically mentioned, the “small SUV” that was shown in a slide during the presentation is easily identified as the WR-V. Due to be introduced here in the third quarter, it will be joined by the sixth-generation CR-V and the FL5 Civic Type R, despite there being no outright identification of both during the briefing.

The CR-V, which was unveiled last July and set to be officially introduced in Thailand this coming Wednesday, is pretty much a given, seeing that the SUV has been spied running road trials in Malaysia and the nameplate very much a staple for the brand here.

When it eventually arrives, it is expected to do so as an e:HEV hybrid with a 2.0 litre engine and as a petrol variant, with the familiar 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill continuing to hold court. Word on the grapevine is that it will only debut after the WR-V arrives, which means it won’t be introduced before Q3.

As for the new Civic Type R, a photo of a manual gear knob in a presentation slide is as good an indicator as any that it’s coming. The FL5, which is based on the 11th-generation Civic Hatchback, is the follow-up act to the FK8 that was introduced here in 2017.

No indication of pricing, but before you get too excited by the prospect of the 330 PS/420 Nm firebrand, it’s safe to expect that the price of the new one will be higher than the previous-gen, which went for RM320,000 when it arrived.

Finally, the facelift, and this will be that of the City. The refreshed fifth-generation sedan made its debut in India earlier this month. Save the minor revisions to the exterior and interior, buyers can expect to find everything familiar about the car, including the powertrain choices available for it.

GALLERY: Honda WR-V

GALLERY: Honda CR-V, sixth-gen

GALLERY: FL5 Honda Civic Type R

GALLERY: Honda City facelift

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2023 Honda City facelift unveiled – 1.5L petrol, hybrid powertrains, Honda Sensing with ACC

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Gerard Lye / 2 March 2023 5:46 pm / 12 comments

The fifth-generation Honda City facelift has finally made its debut in India, where it is available with petrol and hybrid powertrains – the diesel option offered with the pre-facelift model has been dropped. Prices for the new City start at 1.149 million (11.49 lakh) rupees (RM62,273) and peak at 2.039 million (20.39 lakh) rupees (RM110,486).

In terms of visual changes, the facelift introduces a slimmer chrome bar to accompany the grille, which itself gets a new honeycomb mesh insert. Further down, the front bumper has been redesigned to incorporate black trim linking the fog lamp sections to the lower intake.

Unchanged are the LED headlamps and side profile, although the latter does benefit from a new design for the alloy wheels. As for the rear, there’s an updated bumper with a black diffuser-like element, relocated reflectors and a small lip spoiler on the boot lid.

For India, there’s also a new Obsidian Blue Pearl paint colour to choose from, which is joined by Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Golden Brown Metallic, Meteoroid Grey Metallic and Lunar Silver Metallic.

Like the exterior, the revisions on the inside are minimal as well. The dashboard layout and controls remain almost unchanged, with a beige and black theme applicable to petrol variants, while ivory and black are for hybrid options.

On that mention, Honda has added new variants to the line-up, including the entry-level SV that is joined by V, VX and ZX. The City Hybrid also gains a more affordable V trim level as an alternative to the returning ZX spec.

Depending on the variant, available features include a 7-inch full colour TFT instrument cluster display, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support), six airbags, rain-sensing wipers, ambient lighting, a wireless charger, eight speakers, automatic air-conditioning (with PM2.5 filter and rear vents), keyless entry and engine start, an electric sunroof, a manual rear windscreen sunshade and tyre pressure monitoring.

Driver assistance systems that are part of the available Honda Sensing suite are autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow as well as and lead car departure alert – the last two are new additions. Also on is Honda’s LaneWatch and a host of passive safety systems.

As for powertrains, the previous 1.5 litre i-DTEC turbodiesel has been eliminated, with the only pure internal combustion engine (ICE) being the returning 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol unit with DOHC that serves up the same 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. For the SV variant, a six-speed manual is the only transmission pairing, but all other petrol-only variants (V, VX and ZX) can be optioned with a CVT.

The City Hybrid features 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine with VTC making 98 PS and 127 Nm. This acts primarily as a generator through an accompanying electric motor for the hybrid battery, which powers another electric motor mated to the wheels that is rated at 109 PS and 253 Nm.

While the ICE primarily acts as a generator, it can also directly drive the wheels via a lock-up clutch and electronic continuous variable transmission (e-CVT) at higher speeds when it is more efficient to do so – the total system output is 126 PS. The City Hybrid also comes with an electronic parking brake and rear disc brakes instead of the petrol-only variants’ standard handbrake and rear drums.

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2023 Honda City facelift seen in YouTube video ahead of official debut in India – mild styling, kit changes

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Gerard Lye / 28 February 2023 4:16 pm / 9 comments

Just days after images of the new Honda City facelift leaked online, a YouTube video recently published by Kamal Yadav has revealed the updated B-segment sedan in full. According to media outlets in India, the City facelift is due to be introduced in the country on March 2, 2023, but with this video, we’re getting a much earlier look.

As we’ve seen in the earlier leak, the facelift brings about some modest styling changes. At the front, the grille now sports a honeycomb mesh insert and is accompanied by a much slimmer chrome bar. The front bumper has also been tweaked to have black trim visually linking the fog lamps to the lower intake.

At the rear apron, there’s now a black diffuser-like element and the cowls for the reflectors have been slightly reprofiled to match. A lip spoiler has also been added to boot, and the India-spec City gets a new wheel design.

Inside, the steering wheel controls now include a volume dial (we have buttons here) but the general design of the wheel remains largely familiar. Returning features, at least for the India-spec City, include a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless engine start, automatic air-conditioning and an electric sunroof are all on show here. New features mentioned are ventilated front seats and a wireless phone charger.

In India, the pre-facelift City was offered with petrol and diesel engines, but the latter will likely be dropped with the introduction of the facelifted model. This is due to the upcoming Real Driving Emissions (RDE) that goes live on April 1, 2023 to replace the BS6 standard.

Expect the 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol unit with DOHC to be carried over with 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT. India also gets the City with an e:HEV hybrid powertrain rated at 126 PS and 253 Nm, but this is only offered with the top-spec ZX trim level – a new entry-level option is said to be added with the mid-cycle update.

https://youtu.be/fbJtYodAsro

GALLERY: 2022 Honda City 1.5V (Malaysia market)

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2023 Honda City facelift leaked ahead of India debut in March – updated grille and bumpers; tweaked interior

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Gerard Lye / 20 February 2023 9:47 am / 10 comments

Leaked images of the Honda City facelift have surfaced in India ahead of an expected market launch in March. The B-segment model, which is currently in its fifth generation, first made its world debut in Thailand in November 2019 before making its way to Malaysia in October 2020.

In terms of changes, the City facelift gets a slimmer chrome bar and a honeycomb mesh insert for its grille section. The front bumper also sports a new design that visually links the fog lamps to the lower intake by way of black trim. Meanwhile, the rear bumper has been revised to incorporate a black diffuser-like element that was absent on the pre-facelift model.

As for the interior, the City’s dashboard remains largely familiar, although the steering wheel controls appear to have been tweaked to now feature a volume dial. Media outlets in India claim the City will gain more features like a wireless charger and ventilated seats as part of its facelift.

In India, the pre-facelift City was offered with petrol and diesel engines, but the latter will likely be dropped with the introduction of the facelifted model. This is due to the upcoming Real Driving Emissions (RDE) that goes live on April 1, 2023 to replace the BS6 standard.

Expect the 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol unit with DOHC to be carried over with 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT. India also gets the City with an e:HEV hybrid powertrain rated at 126 PS and 253 Nm, but this is only offered with the top-spec ZX trim level – a new entry-level option is said to be added with the mid-cycle update.

GALLERY: 2022 Honda City 1.5V (Malaysia market)

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