Verdict
The Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS asks RM12,000 more, and the hard gains are clear: 3.6 L/100 km versus 5.6 L/100 km, plus a slightly quicker 9.9-second 0-100 km/h time despite lower listed engine output. But it gives away useful practicality, with boot space dropping from 519 litres to 410 litres, and its 177 km/h top speed trails the petrol RS by 18 km/h. Same size, same five seats, same six airbags, same AEB. Buy it for fuel saving, not extra room.
Pick the Honda City 1.5 RS if you want the lower price, the bigger 519-litre boot and the higher 195 km/h top speed.
Pick the Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS if your driving is heavy enough for 3.6 L/100 km fuel economy to matter more than the smaller boot.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City 1.5 RS RM99,900; Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS RM111,900
- Fuel economy: Honda City 1.5 RS 5.6 L/100 km; Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS 3.6 L/100 km
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 1.5 RS 10.4 seconds; Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS 9.9 seconds
- Boot space: Honda City 1.5 RS 519 litres; Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS 410 litres
- Listed engine output: Honda City 1.5 RS 119 hp/145 Nm; Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS 97 hp/127 Nm
- Top speed: Honda City 1.5 RS 195 km/h; Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS 177 km/h
1.5 RS
- RM12,000 cheaper to buy
- Larger 519-litre boot
- Higher 195 km/h top speed
- Uses more fuel at 5.6 L/100 km
- Slower 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- No 1.3 kWh hybrid battery
1.5 e:HEV RS
- Much lower 3.6 L/100 km fuel use
- Quicker 9.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Has a 1.3 kWh hybrid battery
- Costs RM12,000 more
- Smaller 410-litre boot
- Lower 177 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM99,900✓ | RM111,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-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, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 97 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm✓ | 127 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 13.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 108 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 253 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.3 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | Intelligent Multi-mode Drive (i-MMD) |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 9.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | 3.6 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h✓ | 177 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,589 mm | 4,589 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,139 kg | 1,250 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 410 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Toyo Proxes R57 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" 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, 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification, LaneWatch Camera | Lead Car Departure Notification, LaneWatch Camera |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers | 8" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Honda Connect, Remote Engine Start | Honda Connect, Remote Engine Start |
| 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 | 8-year/Unlimited-mileage Battery Warranty, 5 Times Free Labour for Servicing up to 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 cars for sale
1.5 RS vs 1.5 e:HEV RS FAQ
Is the Honda City 1.5 RS or Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS better?
For most private buyers, the Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS is better if fuel saving is the priority. The Honda City 1.5 RS is better if you need boot space and want to spend less upfront.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS costs RM12,000 more than the Honda City 1.5 RS.
Which Honda City RS has the bigger boot?
The Honda City 1.5 RS has the bigger boot at 519 litres. The Honda City 1.5 e:HEV RS has 410 litres, so the hybrid costs you 109 litres of luggage space.
