Verdict
The Honda City costs RM84,900 against the Honda HR-V’s RM115,900, leaving a substantial RM31,000 in the buyer’s pocket. Both use a 119 hp/145 Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and front-wheel drive, but the 1,125 kg City reaches 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, two seconds ahead of the 1,274 kg HR-V. It also carries 519 litres in its boot versus 335 litres. The HR-V justifies part of its premium with SUV packaging, 18-inch wheels, LED headlamps, automatic climate control and a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pick the Honda City if you want the RM31,000 saving, quicker 10.2-second acceleration and a much larger 519-litre boot.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you need an SUV body, ULTRA Seat flexibility, 18-inch wheels and its 8-inch Apple CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Honda HR-V RM115,900.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 10.2 seconds; Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Honda HR-V 335 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; Honda HR-V 18-inch alloys with 225/50R18 tyres.
- Length and height: Honda City 4,580 mm long and 1,467 mm high; Honda HR-V 4,347 mm long and 1,591 mm high.
- Airbags: Honda City has front and rear curtain airbags in addition to front and side airbags; Honda HR-V has driver, passenger and front-side airbags.
City
- RM31,000 lower purchase price.
- Quicker 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time despite the same 119 hp and 145 Nm output.
- 519-litre boot and nighttime pedestrian/cyclist detection.
- 15-inch wheels and halogen projector headlamps versus the HR-V’s 18-inch wheels and LED reflectors.
- No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen; it has a radio with Bluetooth and four speakers.
- Manual air-conditioning and two rear parking sensors versus automatic climate control and four sensors.
HR-V
- SUV body with a 1,591 mm height, 60:40 split-folding ULTRA Seat and rear-seat recline.
- 18-inch alloys, Continental UltraContact UC6 tyres and LED reflector headlamps.
- 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus USB-A and USB-C ports.
- RM31,000 dearer to buy and RM120 annual road tax versus RM90.
- Slower 12.1-second 0-100 km/h time and a 1,274 kg kerb weight versus 1,125 kg.
- 335-litre boot is 184 litres smaller, and it lacks the City’s curtain airbags and specified nighttime pedestrian/cyclist detection.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM115,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| 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 | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds✓ | 12.1 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 186 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,347 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,591 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,274 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 335 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 18" 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 |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector |
| 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 | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| 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 USB-A & USB-C Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's 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 with Low Speed Follow |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 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 | 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 | — |
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 & HR-V for sale
City vs HR-V FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda HR-V better?
The City is the stronger rational buy: it is RM31,000 cheaper, reaches 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and has a 519-litre boot. Choose the HR-V for its SUV form, ULTRA Seat, 18-inch wheels and smartphone-connected touchscreen.
What is the price difference?
The Honda HR-V costs RM31,000 more than the Honda City: RM115,900 versus RM84,900. Its annual road tax is also RM120, compared with RM90 for the City.
Which has more luggage space, the Honda City or Honda HR-V?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, 184 litres more than the Honda HR-V’s 335 litres. The HR-V counters with a 60:40 split-folding ULTRA Seat and manual rear-seat recline.
