Verdict
The Proton S70 is the harder-nosed buy: RM11,100 less than the Honda City, yet its 178 hp and 290 Nm turbo engine cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 7.5 seconds against 10.2 seconds. It is also 61 mm wider, rides on 16-inch wheels and brings blind-spot monitoring, LED projector headlamps and navigation. The City fights back with a 5.6 L/100 km rating, 519-litre boot and adaptive cruise control. For Malaysian buyers who value low fuel use and driver assistance, the Honda remains the more measured choice.
Pick the Honda City if you want the rated 5.6 L/100 km fuel use, a 519-litre boot and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want 178 hp, 290 Nm and a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Proton S70 RM73,800.
- Output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Proton S70 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 10.2 seconds; Proton S70 7.5 seconds.
- Dimensions: Honda City 4,580 mm long and 1,748 mm wide; Proton S70 4,602 mm long and 1,809 mm wide.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Proton S70 500 litres.
- Cruise control: Honda City adaptive; Proton S70 passive.
City
- Rated fuel economy of 5.6 L/100 km.
- 519-litre boot, 19 litres larger.
- Adaptive cruise control and nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the S70's 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Halogen projector headlamps versus LED projectors.
- No blind-spot information system or built-in navigation.
S70
- 178 hp, 290 Nm turbo engine and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM11,100 lower purchase price.
- LED projector headlamps, blind-spot monitoring and navigation.
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control.
- 500-litre boot is 19 litres smaller.
- At 1,809 mm wide, it is 61 mm wider to place in tight parking spaces.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900 | RM73,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 178 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 7.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,300 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Giti Comfort F22 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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 with Bluetooh, Screen Mirroring, 4 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, 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 |
| 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 | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 6 Times Free Labour Servicing |
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 & S70 for sale
City vs S70 FAQ
Is the Honda City or Proton S70 better?
The Proton S70 is better for acceleration, torque, price and equipment such as blind-spot monitoring. The Honda City is better for rated fuel economy, boot capacity and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Proton S70 costs RM73,800 and the Honda City costs RM84,900, so the S70 is RM11,100 cheaper.
Which is faster, the Honda City or Proton S70?
The Proton S70 is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The Honda City takes 10.2 seconds, a 2.7-second difference.
