Launched just last May, the facelifted Honda City Hatchback has been the recipient of a minor update. The B-segment hatch is now available in a new colour, Phoenix Orange Pearl, which was already offered in other markets.
Better yet, the new hue does not replace any other colour in the palette, which is not always the case with Honda’s CKD locally-assembled models. This means you can still get the car in Ignite Red Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic (petrol only) and Meteoroid Grey if you find orange a little loud for your taste. Also remaining available is Platinum White Pearl, which costs an additional RM300.
No change to the pricing either – RM85,900 for the 1.5 S, RM90,900 for the 1.5 E, RM95,900 for the 1.5 V, RM100,900 for the 1.5 RS and RM112,900 for the e:HEV RS hybrid. Aside from the new looks, all variants of the City Hatch now get the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard.
Mechanically, the City Hatch remains the same, powered by either a 121 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine (mated to a CVT) or a 109 PS/253 Nm electric motor in the e:HEV RS. The latter is juiced by a 98 PS/127 Nm Atkinson-cycle version of the 1.5 litre mill that primarily functions as a generator, but can also drive the car at higher speeds (where it is more efficient) through a single-speed transmission and a lock-up clutch.
GALLERY: 2024 Honda City Hatchback e:HEV RS facelift
GALLERY: 2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift in Phoenix Orange Pearl, 1.5L E
Honda Malaysia has officially introduced the Honda City Hatchback facelift in the country, with the refreshed five-door model making its local debut earlier this morning. Like with the pre-facelift, the B-segment model goes on sale here in five variant forms, although with a variant switch in the line-up.
The model range continues to be made up of four petrol units, with a hybrid sitting at the top of the line-up. The petrol variants start with the 1.5L S, followed by the 1.5L E and the 1.5L V, and the top petrol version is now an RS, taking over the position occupied by the 1.5L V-Sensing previously, with the e:HEV RS hybrid continuing to lead the line.
The five Honda City Hatchback facelift variants are priced at (on-the-road, without insurance):
City Hatchback 1.5L S – RM85,900
City Hatchback 1.5L E – RM90,900
City Hatchback 1.5L V – RM95,900
City Hatchback 1.5L RS – RM100,900
City Hatchback 1.5L e: HEV RS hybrid – RM112,900
In terms of changes, the facelift features some minor exterior styling revisions and some new equipment, generally mirroring that seen on the updated City sedan that made its debut here last August.
External revisions include a slimmer chrome bar on the upper front end and a larger grille with a new mesh insert design. The front bumper has also been reworked, with different accents to be found on both RS and non-RS variants. The RS versions get a more prominent fog lamp garnish as well as a honeycomb mesh for the lower intake, which gets additional trim elements simulating air inlets.
At the back, non-RS variants are now dressed with a new black valance for the lower apron, complete with a body-coloured panel strip, while RS variants gain a sportier-looking diffuser, along with black side mirror covers and variant-specific emblems to denote it. As for wheels, the S and E grades are kitted with 15-inch alloys and 185/60 profile tyres, while the V and both RS versions ride on 16-inch units, wrapped with 185/55 rubbers.
Dimensions are generally unchanged from the pre-facelift, with the standard car measuring in at 4,350 mm long (+1 mm) and 1,748 mm wide (no change), although at 1,488 mm tall it sits 18 mm taller than the pre-facelift. The RS variants are marginally longer at 4,369 mm as a result of its variant specific bumpers.
As before, the boot continues to offer 289 litres of cargo space with all seats up, which is 230 litres less than the sedan. With the rear seats folded, you get 841 litres of workable space, or 1,189 litres in volume up to the roof.
No changes to the powertrains on offer, with the petrol variants continuing 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.
As for the e:HEV, it’s equipped with the same Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system as seen previously, with an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm providing drive to the front wheels. The electric motor 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 engine running on an Atkinson cycle.
On its own, the petrol mill puts out 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) from 5,600 to 6,400 rpm and 127 Nm of torque from 4,500 to 5,000 rpm, and though the engine acts primarily as a generator, it can clutch in through a single-speed E-CVT to provide direct drive to the wheels at higher speeds, where it is most efficient.
Save for a couple of small changes, standard equipment has been carried over from the pre-facelift, which on the base S includes halogen projector auto headlights with LED daytime running lights, fabric seats, an urethane steering wheel/gear shift knob, paddle shifters and a 4.2-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster.
Also on are keyless entry, push-button start, walk-away auto lock, manual air-conditioning, fabric upholstery, a single USB port, a Bluetooth-enabled Standard Audio head unit and four speakers.
The E variant adds on remote engine start, single-zone automatic climate control, a reverse camera and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The E now gets four additional tweeters to bring the speaker complement to eight, and there are now two USB Type-C charging ports in place of the 12V power outlet seen previously.
As for the V, it adds full-LED headlights and front LED fog lights, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob as well as rear air-conditioning vents. Meanwhile, aside from its variant-specific external accoutrements, both RS versions bump things up with a seven-inch TFT instrument display, sport pedals, black headlining, red interior trim accents and stitching as well as a wireless route for its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Both RS variants are also fitted with Honda Connect services, which include automatic collision and alarm detection, speed and geo-fencing alerts, a vehicle locator and emergency calls.
Safety and driver assistance kit levels are also up from the pre-facelift, with all City Hatchback facelift variants now coming with six airbags (front, side and side curtain) and Honda Sensing as standard.
2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift spec sheet, click to enlarge.
The latter continues to present 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 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), adding in a new Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).
On the RS hybrid, the inclusion of an electronic parking brake adds on a Low-Speed Follow (LSF) function for the ACC. Elsewhere, the automaker’s LaneWatch side camera system continues to be offered, available from the V grade on.
Finally, exterior colours, and four are available for the City Hatchback facelift, these being Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic and Lunar Silver Metallic, the last not available for the e:HEV RS. If you’ve been keeping track, you’ll notice that Crystal Black Pearl is no longer offered for the car.
GALLERY: 2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift, e:HEV RS hybrid
GALLERY: 2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift, 1.5L RS
The order books for the new Honda City Hatchback facelift are now open in Malaysia, with the B-segment model set to be launched here in Q2 2024. The line-up will continue to include the e:HEV RS, which is pictured here with some notable design changes.
The refreshed hatchback (in RS guise) features a slimmer black bar at the top edge of the grille, which gets a different mesh insert design that is different from its sedan sibling, which got its update last August. There’s also a new bumper with sharper fog lamp garnish flanking a honeycomb mesh for the lower intake, the latter with additional trim simulating air inlets.
We don’t get a shot of the City Hatchback’s rear end, but it should be identical to what’s seen in Thailand where the facelifted model is already being sold. Expect a revised diffuser-like element in the lower apron with vertical fins to accompany the sportier 16-inch alloy wheels in Berlina Black.
In terms of powertrains, the e:HEV is equipped with the same 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. Powering the electric motor is 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.
Non-hybrid variants will also be available, and they 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.
As for driver assistance systems, all variants of the facelifted City Hatchback will come standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which has been expanded to include lead car departure notification.
This joins existing functions such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and oncoming vehicle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, lane keeping assist and automatic high beam. The e:HEV RS in particular will get an extra low-speed follow for the adaptive cruise control function.
In an official release, Honda Malaysia says over 28,700 units of the City Hatchback have been sold since the model’s introduction in 2021, with 10,300 units being delivered last year. The e:HEV RS variant has accounted for 16% of the company’s total hybrid sales to-date.
GALLERY: 2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift, RS e:HEV variant at the Bangkok Motor Show
Having just made its debut in Thailand in early February, the Honda City Hatchback facelift is unsurprisingly one of the exhibits Honda Thailand has on display at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show 2024, which began today. The refreshed B-segment offering features some minor styling revisions and new equipment, generally mirroring that seen on the updated City sedan for that market.
External changes include a slimmer chrome bar at the top edge of the grille, which now gets a new mesh insert design. Also reworked is the front bumper, with different accents to be found on both RS and non-RS variants. On the former, you’ll find a more prominent fog lamp garnish as well as a honeycomb mesh for the lower intake, which features additional trim simulating air inlets.
At the back, non-RS variants now come with a new black valance for the lower apron, complete with a body-coloured panel strip, while RS variants gain a sportier-looking diffuser, along with black side mirror covers and variant-specific emblems to denote it.
Five variants of the City Hatchback are available for the Thai market, up by one from the pre-facelift. The petrol range starts with the S+, priced at 599,000 baht (RM77,850), followed by the SV, which goes for 679,000 baht (RM88,240) and finally, the RS, which sells for 749,000 baht (RM97,330).
The trio is powered by a gasohol-compliant 1.0 litre inline-three VTEC Turbo petrol engine offering 122 PS (121 hp or 90 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 173 Nm of torque from 2,000-4,500 rpm, paired with a CVT.
The remaining two variants are e:HEV hybrids, with a new SV grade, which retails for 729,000 baht (RM94,750), joining the fold. Meanwhile, the existing e:HEV RS variant – which is the unit seen in the photos here – gets a price cut by 50,000 baht (RM6,500) and now goes for 799,000 baht (RM103,830) with the refresh.
The e:HEV hybrid continues to feature the automaker’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system. This consists of a primary electric traction motor with 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm providing drive through a single-speed transmission, with a 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery.
No mechanical changes with the facelift, and so the mill continues to dish out 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) from 5,600 to 6,400 rpm and 127 Nm between 4,500 and 5,000 rpm. The unit can also clutch in to provide mechanical drive at higher running speeds.
Not much in the way of change where the interior is concerned, with only a few alterations being carried out, primarily for the hybrid. On the e:HEV variants, the 12V power outlet for rear passengers has been replaced by two USB-C charging ports, and there is now a small inner pocket for smartphones behind the front seats.
All variants in the facelifted City Hatchback range are equipped with Honda Sensing as standard, with the driver assistance suite consisting of 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), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and a new Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).
On the hybrids, the inclusion of an electronic parking brake adds on a Low-Speed Follow (LSF) function for the ACC. As for exterior colours, RS variants get two exclusive colour schemes, these being Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic (paired with a black roof) and Ignite Red Metallic, while the other colours are Tafetta White (S+ only), Platinum White Pearl (e:HEV RS, e:HEV SV, RS and SV variants only), Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Sonic Gray Pearl.
The City Hatchback facelift is expected to be one of the two new models Honda Malaysia is set to introduce this year. Unlike Thailand, our petrol version is likely to continue with the 121 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC engine.
GALLERY: 2024 Honda City Hatchback facelift, RS e:HEV variant at the Bangkok Motor Show
The Honda City Hatchback has been given a facelift in Thailand, just over three years after the B-segment model made its global debut there. As part of the facelift, the hatchback gets some styling tweaks and new equipment, many of which mirror the City sedan that got updated earlier.
In Thailand, the City Hatchback is now available in five variants instead of four previously. The base option remains the S+ that is priced at 599,000 baht (RM80,120), which is followed by the SV at 679,000 baht (RM90,820) and the RS at 749,000 baht (RM100,183).
These three variants are powered by a gasohol-compliant 1.0 litre inline-three VTEC Turbo petrol engine that serves up an unchanged 122 PS (121 hp or 90 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 173 Nm of torque from 2,000-4,500 rpm – a CVT sends drive to the front wheels.
The two remaining variants feature Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system that uses an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm to drive to the front wheels. Powering the battery is a lithium-ion battery that is juiced by a 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine making 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 127 Nm, plus an integrated electric motor acting as a generator and a starter.
While the petrol engine mainly acts as a power supply for the battery most of the time, it can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive at higher speeds, where it is most efficient to do so.
The first of the two hybrid variants is a new addition called the e:HEV SV, which retails for 729,000 baht (RM97,531), and is joined by the returning e:HEV RS that gets a price cut by 50,000 baht (RM6,683) to now sell at 799,000 baht (RM106,787).
In terms of styling changes, the City Hatchback follows its sedan counterpart by sporting a slimmer chrome bar at the top edge of the grille, which also gets a new mesh insert design that is different from the sedan.
There’s also a reshaped front bumper for non-RS variants with more pronounced creases around the trim that occupies the area where a fog lamp would be. RS variants get a more aggressive bumper with more prominent fog lamp garnish as well as a honeycomb mesh for the lower intake, joined by additional trim simulating air inlets.
As for the rear bumper, non-RS variants now come with black trim in the lower apron, while RS variants gain a diffuser-like element to complete the sporty look along with black side mirrors and variant-specific emblems.
RS variants get two exclusive colour schemes, including Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic (paired with a black roof) and Ignite Red Metallic. Other available hues are Tafetta White (S+ only), Platinum White Pearl (e:HEV RS, e:HEV SV, RS and SV variants only), Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Sonic Gray Pearl.
Like we’ve seen in the City sedan, the hatchback’s interior looks pretty much unchanged from before, although there are some minor tweaks. For starters, the power outlet for rear passengers has now been swapped out for two USB-C charging ports (in e:HEV variants only) and there’s a small inner pocket for smartphones behind the front seats (also in e:HEV variants only).
Equipment-wise, the S+ comes with 15-inch alloy wheels (185/60 profile tyres), automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, a black interior with fabric seat upholstery, manual air-conditioning, keyless entry and start, remote engine start, a 4.2-inch multi-info display (MID), a standard head unit, four speakers and four airbags.
The base variant also gets Honda Sensing as standard, which includes 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), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and a new Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).
Stepping up the SV brings with it two-tone 15-inch alloys, leather seat upholstery with grey stitching, automatic air-conditioning, a multi-angle reverse camera and an 8-inch Advanced Touch head unit with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The RS builds upon the SV by gaining 16-inch alloys, LED headlamps, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, paddle shifters, red accents for its MID, a rear armrest, four more speakers for a total of eight, Honda Connect telematics, two more airbags for six.
The entry-level hybrid variant (e:HEV SV) is similar to the non-hybrid SV, but with a few improvements. These include the addition of 16-inch two-tone alloys, rear air vents, an electronic parking brake (with auto hold), a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, the aforementioned rear USB-C ports and a new Low-Speed Follow (LSF) function for the ACC. The e:HEV SV still keeps the SV’s project headlamps, four-speaker sound system and four airbags.
At the top with the highest price tag is the e:HEV RS, which is similar to the turbocharged RS in terms of equipment, but with LSF for its ACC, rain-sensing wipers, rear air vents, an electronic parking brake (with auto hold), RS-specific design for the seven-inch digital instrument cluster, rear USB-C ports as well as Honda LaneWatch. As always, a range of Modulo accessories are available for customers who want to spruce up their purchase.
We would expect the facelifted model to come to Malaysia too, albeit without the option of the VTEC Turbo engine – the current non-hybrid variants here are powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine with 121 PS (119 hp or 89 kW) and 145 Nm. For now, what do you think of the City Hatchback’s new look and improvements to its kit list?
