Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer carrying five people most of the time, the Honda City makes the sharper case: its 119 hp and 145 Nm engine beats the Xpander’s 104 hp and 141 Nm, while the claimed 5.6 L/100 km consumption gives it a clear running-cost reference. More importantly, it has six airbags and Honda SENSING with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Mitsubishi Xpander answers with seven seats, a 2,775 mm wheelbase and a full-size spare tyre, but its safety kit is much leaner.
Pick the Honda City if you want a five-seat sedan with 119 hp, 519 litres of boot space and substantially stronger active and passive safety equipment.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if seven seats, a 2,775 mm wheelbase and a full-size spare tyre matter more than the City’s safety technology and lower price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM89,900; Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980.
- Seating: Honda City 5 seats; Mitsubishi Xpander 7 seats.
- Safety airbags: Honda City 6; Mitsubishi Xpander 2.
- Output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Mitsubishi Xpander 104 hp and 141 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Mitsubishi Xpander 2,775 mm.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Mitsubishi Xpander 495 litres.
City
- Honda SENSING includes autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
- Six airbags versus the Xpander’s two.
- 519-litre boot and claimed 5.6 L/100 km economy.
- Five seats versus the Xpander’s seven.
- 15-inch wheels versus 17-inch wheels.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre.
Xpander
- Seven-seat layout with split-folding second and third rows.
- 2,775 mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents with blower control.
- 17-inch alloy wheels and a full-size spare tyre.
- Two airbags versus the City’s six.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
- 104 hp and 141 Nm trail the City’s 119 hp and 145 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900✓ | RM99,980 |
| Body type | Sedan | MPV |
| 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, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm✓ | 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 75 mm × 84.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 4AT |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Jatco |
| 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 | 4,577 mm | 4,475 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,750 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | 1,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 495 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Manual Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 |
| 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 Honda LaneWatch | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 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 & Xpander for sale
City vs Xpander FAQ
Is the Honda City or Mitsubishi Xpander better?
The Honda City is better for most five-seat use, thanks to six airbags, Honda SENSING, 119 hp and a 519-litre boot. Choose the Mitsubishi Xpander only if its seven-seat cabin and longer 2,775 mm wheelbase are essential.
What is the price difference?
The Mitsubishi Xpander costs RM10,080 more than the Honda City: RM99,980 against RM89,900. That extra spend brings two additional seats, 17-inch wheels and a full-size spare, not stronger safety equipment.
Which one is better for carrying a larger family?
The Mitsubishi Xpander is the practical choice for a larger family because it has seven seats, three rows and 50:50 split-folding third-row seats. The Honda City is strictly a five-seater, despite its larger 519-litre boot.
