Verdict
The Honda City costs RM84,900, a RM45,000 saving against the RM129,900 MG HS, while its RM90 annual road tax is RM30 lower. It also carries 519 litres in the boot, 56 litres more than the HS. The MG counters with SUV proportions, a 2,720-mm wheelbase, 160 hp and 250 Nm versus the City’s 119 hp and 145 Nm. Choose the City for the lower-cost daily commute and its listed autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance; pay for the HS if stronger turbo performance, a panoramic roof and larger 17-inch wheels matter more.
Pick the Honda City if you want to save RM45,000, carry 519 litres of luggage and have autonomous braking with lane-keeping assistance.
Pick the MG HS if you want an SUV with 160 hp, 250 Nm, a 2,720-mm wheelbase and a panoramic glass roof.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; MG HS RM129,900.
- Power and torque: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; MG HS 160 hp and 250 Nm.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; MG HS 463 litres.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; MG HS 2,720 mm.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda City 15-inch alloys with 185/60R15 tyres; MG HS 17-inch alloys with 215/60R17 tyres.
- Road tax: Honda City RM90 per year; MG HS RM120 per year.
City
- RM45,000 lower purchase price.
- 519-litre boot, 56 litres larger.
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus lane-keeping assist.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the MG HS’s 160 hp and 250 Nm.
- No panoramic glass roof; the MG HS has one.
- 15-inch wheels and 185/60R15 tyres versus the MG HS’s 17-inch wheels and 215/60R17 tyres.
HS
- 160 hp and 250 Nm turbocharged petrol engine.
- 2,720-mm wheelbase and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- Panoramic glass roof, powered driver’s seat and 10.25-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- RM45,000 more expensive than the Honda City.
- 463-litre boot is 56 litres smaller than the City’s.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed, while the City has both.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM129,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,490 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 160 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 7-speed, Twin-clutch Transmission |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| 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 | 4,574 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,876 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,664 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,720 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 463 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Maxxis Bravo HPM5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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 Outer Two Rear 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 | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| 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 AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/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 | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain |
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 & HS for sale
City vs HS FAQ
Is the Honda City or MG HS better?
The Honda City is the better buy for price, boot capacity and listed active safety, costing RM45,000 less. The MG HS is the better fit if you prioritise 160 hp, 250 Nm, SUV height and its panoramic glass roof.
What is the price difference?
The MG HS costs RM45,000 more than the Honda City: RM129,900 versus RM84,900.
Which has the larger boot?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, compared with 463 litres in the MG HS. That is a 56-litre advantage for the Honda.
