The Honda City has long been one of the most popular cars in Malaysia’s non-national segment, particularly in the sedan category. Over 536,000 units have been sold in Malaysia since it made its debut in the 1990s.
Currently in its seventh generation, another facelift refreshes its looks 6 years after it was launched in Malaysia (a bit longer than usual). The extended cycle could be that this generation was launched in the year the COVID-19 pandemic started, when the market contracted greatly and sales were lower.
Less variants
For the latest update, the City range has a slight adjustment of variants (the City S is dropped) and now consists of the E, V and RS, with the e:HEV RS at the top of the line. Prices range from RM89,900 to RM111,900 (previously RM84,900 to RM111,900).
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Sharper, EV-influenced front end
The cosmetic changes are most noticeable at the front end with a smoother and more aerodynamic look. There’s a full-width LED light bar that runs above the grille and connects the headlight assemblies. This continuous lighting signature (only on the RS versions) creates a high-tech appearance at night which echoes the front ends seen on EVs.
Honda fans will notice that the brand badge that has long been on the grille is now relocated on the bonnet edge (a more premium look?). Gone is the heavier chrome accent of the previous model; in its place is a sleeker, more streamlined front end with a reprofiled lower bumper. Air curtain ducts are integrated into the bumper, managing airflow around the front wheels to reduce turbulence.
At the rear, the restyling incorporates the same wraparound lighting units with dark tinted covers but redesign elements. Being designed by a manufacturer, the darkening would not affect illumination levels which have to meet certain regulations, unlike some DIY jobs that are illegal.
For a sporty look, there’s an integrated lower diffuser element, while the RS version gets 16-inch dual-tone milled alloy wheels finished in Berlina Black and Dark Clear.
More convenience and visibility
Equipment upgrades (depending on the version) offer improved convenience and visibility. There’s now a larger 10-inch Display Audio unit with ambient lighting on the top versions, and wireless connectivity enhances ease of connecting a smartphone.
Although Honda is slowly phasing out the LaneWatch system that provides a real-time view of the left side of the car to act as a blind-spot system, it remains in the current City. Honda’s reason for phasing out this system, which we consider very useful, is because feedback from the market indicates that it is not appreciated.
Blind spot warning added
Meanwhile, in the new City, they have added a Blind Spot warning system (found in almost all modern cars) and the rear sensors also scan widely left and right. They can detect vehicles or motorcyclists approaching from either side as the car is reversing out of a parking bay and the system will alert the driver of the danger.
Also new is a Multi-View Camera System providing 360-degree coverage. Small cameras around the car provide images and software combines the imagery to create views that give a better idea of the car’s position in its surroundings. View angles can be easily changed using a button on the left stalk, while a button on the right stalk can activate the Lane Watch display.
Two powertrain choices
Powertrain choices are unchanged – buyers can have either the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine or the fuel-efficient 1.5-litre e:HEV hybrid electric i-MMD unit. Power outputs are unchanged from before, with 121 ps/145 Nm for the petrol engine and 109 ps/253 Nm for the e:HEV powertrain.
Like other hybrid electric powertrains, the e:HEV system is self-charging. When the electricity level is low, the engine recharges and there’s also some energy contributed by the regenerative system which captures energy that is usually lost during braking and sends it to the battery.
One of the nice things about the e:HEV powertrain is that you can also drive in pure EV mode – like a fully electric car – for short distances. If you do not accelerate hard or drive over 45 km/h, you can go quite far and might even complete a round-trip to the nearby convenience store without using a drop of petrol.
With the electric motor sharing the job of moving the car, much fuel can be saved. Honda engineers have therefore set the fuel tank volume as just 40 litres to cut down on weight.
Up to 35 kms/litre!
Even with that relatively small volume, the range of the City will be quite great and we’ve heard of City owners able to get close to 1,000 kms on a full tank. In fact, Honda itself confidently claims 27.26 kms/litre and in a public test run today, up to 35 kms/litre was achieved.
Honda SENSING
Honda was among the first high-volume brands to introduce more advanced driver assistance systems in Malaysia, which it calls Honda SENSING. Since the first model with Honda SENSING (the CR-V) in 2017, the system has been offered in more models, including the City. With this active system, driving safety is improved as the driver is more aware of dangers and the system can also act automatically to brake the car if a collision is likely to occur.
Now that the updated City Sedan has been launched, we can expect that the hatchback variant will also get an update in due course (it’s already sold in some neighbouring markets). As with all the models (except the e:N1 EV) Honda Malaysia sells, the new City is assembled at its own plant in Melaka.