Verdict
The Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift is the safer-paper upgrade: it keeps the same 1,498 cc petrol engine, 119 hp, 145 Nm, CVT, 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time and 519-litre boot, but moves from four to six airbags and adds auto emergency braking. The price gap is RM10,709, and the facelift is only 27 mm longer with the same 2,600 mm wheelbase. For a Malaysian buyer, the outgoing Honda City GN2/GN3 still looks sensible if safety kit is not the main decider, especially with its slightly lower 5.4 L/100 km figure.
Pick the Honda City GN2/GN3 if you want the cheaper car with the same engine, same performance, same boot space and slightly better rated fuel use.
Pick the Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift if six airbags and auto emergency braking matter more than the RM10,709 extra cost.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City GN2/GN3 RM 74,191 vs Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift RM 84,900
- Airbags: Honda City GN2/GN3 4 vs Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift 6
- Auto emergency braking: Honda City GN2/GN3 not fitted vs Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift fitted
- Fuel economy: Honda City GN2/GN3 5.4 L/100km vs Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift 5.6 L/100km
- Length: Honda City GN2/GN3 4,553 mm vs Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift 4,580 mm
GN2/GN3
- Lower price by RM10,709
- Slightly better 5.4 L/100km fuel economy
- Same 119 hp, 145 Nm and 519-litre boot
- Only four airbags
- No auto emergency braking
- Shorter body at 4,553 mm
GN2/GN3 Facelift
- Six airbags
- Auto emergency braking fitted
- Longer 4,580 mm body
- Costs RM10,709 more
- Slightly higher 5.6 L/100km fuel economy
- No gain in power, torque, acceleration or boot space
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM74,191✓ | RM84,900 |
| 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 | 119 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Gears | 1 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 10.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km✓ | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | 196 km/h |
| Co2 | 125 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,553 mm | 4,580 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres | 519 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Lead Car Departure Notification |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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-con | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 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 | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive 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 Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| 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 |
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
GN2/GN3 vs GN2/GN3 Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda City GN2/GN3 or Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift better?
The Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift is better for safety kit, with six airbags and auto emergency braking. The Honda City GN2/GN3 is the better buy on price and fuel use, while matching the facelift for engine output, acceleration and boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City GN2/GN3 is RM 74,191, while the Honda City GN2/GN3 Facelift is RM 84,900. That makes the facelift RM10,709 more expensive.
Do both versions use the same engine and transmission?
Yes. Both use a 1,498 cc petrol engine with 119 hp and 145 Nm, paired with a CVT automatic driving the front wheels. Both also do 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and have a 196 km/h top speed.
