Verdict
The 3 is 26% more powerful, while the City is about 5% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the City has over the 3
What the 3 has over the City
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The 3's wheelbase is 55 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The 3 is 102 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900✓ | RM95,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM920/mo✓ | RM970/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,617✓ | RM2,718 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM2,229 | RM1,401✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.14 | RM7.00✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM24,679 | RM21,193✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 4.9 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 65 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| 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 | 4,577 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 14 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| 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 | Front Seats |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| 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 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Honda LaneWatch | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used City & 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Honda City
City vs 3 FAQ
How long does charging take?
The 3's 53.6 kWh battery takes about 4.9 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 65 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 60 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The City is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The City carries a 8-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the 3. City: Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 years).
