New vs Old Honda City: Why current City owners should trade up!

It is said that the best recipe for success is to keep things as basic and to the point as possible. With little fussing around, there’s little room for anything to be of considerable bother.

And in general automotive terms, there aren’t many cars that offer as bother-free ownership as a Honda City. It is as simple a recipe as a good car goes – a good design, a good interior with all the latest entertainment, comfortable seats, good space for occupants and their luggage and good safety features as well. The Honda City has it all yet does not overdo anything in particular. It is an achiever, yet not an overachiever, like a friend that went on to become a doctor, a GP, but not an industry dominating specialist.

That is until a new Honda City is introduced. And that is exactly where we are getting at with this article.

If you are a current Honda City owner and swear by it, then this would be a good time to trade up to the latest City. Or if you have always wanted a Honda City but have been waiting for the right moment to strike, well, that moment has arrived. Or if you just want a car that can safely and comfortably take the kids to college or uni.

The fifth-generation City has proven to be galaxies apart from its predecessor. And in this article, we give you some good reasons why this is the car you should be going for should you be looking to upgrade

Lets start with the interior..

The interior is leap years better than the City it replaces. In fact, we even dare say that it is as good an interior as an E46 BMW and save for a couple of panels here and there. Perhaps even as good the E90.

We are talking about quality and fitment here. And that’s before we get to the seats and the interior features.

But on the topic of the seats, this is the one part that has improved by leaps and bounds.

The seats in the new Honda are among the most, if not THE most, comfortable seats in the segment. You can probably feel the comfort level of the seat from the photo above alone, and when compared to the model it replaces (old seats shown below), the difference in comfort is akin to night and day in comparison.

This is of course in the top of the line V-variant, the others don’t offer such perfectly padded seats. And seats have to look just as good as they are to sit on, because great looking seats would be half the battle won. Don’t believe us? Why do you think Bentley or Rolls-Royce put in all that effort to ensure the leather they use are devoid of any imperfections? Because aesthetics are everything.

And then there is the onboard entertainment system. Accessible via an eight inch touch-screen display, which is again leaps and bounds better than the model it replaces, which offered only a tiny screen that was completely counter intuitive and looked and felt like it was installed at a local ‘brother’s’ outlet (shown below). In fact, it was so difficult to connect the bluetooth functions of your phone to the previous generations entertainment system that it was easier to simply talk on your phone while driving and paying the ‘saman’ you get for it than connecting your phone to the entertainment system. Worse if you had more than five people in the family sharing the car because the system only remembered five profiles. You had to delete on just to connect your own.

Now though, the entertainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the touch screen system is intuitive and easily navigable that even boomers would find it difficult to complain about.

Basically the interior is so much better than before that even the new steering wheel (above) feels like it has progressed about 20 years from the older model, both in touch and feel as well as functionality.

Then there are the air-conditioning controls. But before that, let it be known that we are huge fans of rotating dials because there is nothing more straight forward and to the point than one of those circular things that control functions so accurately.

The dials in a Lexus for example feel so good that it is reminiscent of a high-end audio amplifier, one of those that costs a kidney and feature a heavy metal dial.

The one in the Honda City is not made of metal and it doesn’t feel like you would need to sacrifice a kidney for it, but it feels good enough. And it is a much welcomed departure from the old touch screen ones where you had to tap it a couple of times if you wanted the blower to work harder, or to set the temperature. Now, all you have to do is rotate a dial. Simplicity is bliss.

Same power figures but better fuel consumption!

Well, the two run on almost the same engine, except that the new 1.5-litre now comes with a new DOHC units that puts out 121PS and 145Nm of torque. Just for reference, the previous City put out 120PS and the same 145Nm of torque. So there really isn’t much difference in terms of power, neither is it worth mentioning.

*Engine bay of the previous generation Honda City.*

But the new City is more efficient in terms of fuel efficiency, and when it comes to a car like the Honda City, that is ultimately what matters (simply because no one buys a Honda City for its power figures). The driving habits of the drivers behind both cars were a lot different, but during the photoshoot for this article, the new City still had about half a tank of fuel left while the older one was close to E! And both started at about the same fuel point.

Design

Yes yes, this is where you can bash us a little and we will graciously accept. Because everyone feels entitled to become a keyboard warrior these days, you could perhaps argue that there is very little that a trip to an accessory shop cannot fit. And you may be right. But we would like to beg to differ here. Simply because there is one mega difference that really drives us up a very slippery wall when it comes to the design of the new City.

Everything is nice and dandy from the side. The rims look great. And that rear too is much more proportionate now than ever before. Some do say that the new City looks too much like a BMW 3-Series, but looks are subjective. But then again, there really is nothing wrong with mimicking a successful formula, especially when a City starts to look and feel like a yesteryear Beemer.

But what in the world is up with that mega chrome strip up front that sits right above the grille and seems to merge into the bonnet? That elongated chrome strip of the previous City was bad enough, but now that it is bigger, bad has become worse! It could possibly blind on-coming traffic when the sun is at the right angle, or the driver of a car in front could suddenly be blinded when the sun suddenly glares him through the rear view mirror.

Of course, these are all probabilities, and no one has really reported of such things happening in the real world. But if there is anything that a trip to an accessory shop can fix, it would be the complete removal of that fat chrome lip up front.

We do however love the design of the headlights of the top of the line V-spec, which also work fantastically well in the dark.

Passenger Comfort

We have already touched on how comfortable the seats are in the new City V-spec. But spaciousness is the name of the game here. And the new Honda City is more spacious than before. And you really do feel it when you get inside. There’s more leg room, and the back rests are angled ever so slightly, so you sit more comfortably.

This is quite obvious considering that the new City is bigger than the car it replaces – it is longer, wider and lower. The wheelbase is the same yet there is more interior space for passengers. Curiously though, booth space is a few millimetres smaller than before, but in terms of booth space, the City still offers the most space when compared to its competitors.

Conclusion

The entire purpose of us writing this article is because there are people out there who simply swear by the Honda City. And some love it so much that some families buy two or more of it. This writer’s family being among them, and knows of a few more families that do as well.

We never understood such buying behaviour because ‘variety is, and always will be, the spice of life’, and if you need more than one or two cars, you simply do not buy two of the same. Why not buy different cars and swap among family members so you never get bored of driving the same car?

But that’s just us.

So if your family swears by the Honda City – then trade up to the new one. Or if you are looking for a car in this segment, then the new City will not disappoint. And there has never been a better time than now.

The Game-Changer Strikes Again with the 5th Generation Honda City

Honda stays at No.1 position in Non-National segment for 6th year

Honda Malaysia has again claimed the No.1 position in the Non-National segment of the Malaysian car market, with a total of 60,469 vehicle delivered in 2020. This is the sixth consecutive year that the company has been in the lead position after the two Malaysian makes.

Announcing the achievement, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, said: “The year 2020 may have been challenging but we have managed to maintain our undisputed No.1 position in the Non-National Segment for the sixth consecutive and for that, we are truly humbled by the support we have received.”

City accounted for 34% of sales
Mr. Ishiyama said that the City, being the most popular Non-National B-segment model among Malaysians, was the biggest contributor (34%) to the total volume. “Officially launched in October 2020, the all-new City recorded highest monthly sales in its history with over 5,500 units sold in the month of December 2020. It also received positive response from the market with more than 15,200 bookings to date, making it one of the highest booking figures for a newly launched model in Honda Malaysia in the second half of 2020.

The second best-selling model was the Civic, followed by the HR-V, which contributed 20% and 17% to the total sales volume, respectively.

Mr. Ishiyama also expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government extending the sales tax exemption incentive. “We sincerely thank the Malaysian government for the extension of sales tax exemption until June 30, 2021 which will allow many Malaysians to purchase cars with extra savings. As we move on in 2021, we will continue to support the government’s efforts to curb the pandemic which is still active nationwide,” he said.

City RS e:HEV due this month
While the City S, V and E variants (priced from RM74,191.27, excluding 10% sales tax) with the new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC powertrain have been on sale since October, the all-new City RS e:HEV variant will be available from this month. The RS e:HEV variant is a world-first with its intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain.

*The new City RS e:HEV will be available this month.*

This electrified powertrain is an advanced hybrid powertrain with 2 motors and an Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). Together with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the i-MMD powertrain can generate up to 253 Nm of torque, an exceptional output for its size. Maximum power output is 108 ps which can take the City beyond 170 km/h and yet consume fuel at a claimed rate of 26.5 kms/litre.

Test-drives and viewing of the new City can be done at all authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. To locate a dealership, visit www.honda.com.my and bookings can also be made online.

The Game-Changer Strikes Again with the 5th Generation Honda City

Honda City range now has a hatchback variant

During the 1960s and up till the Japanese economic ‘bubble’ burst in the early 1990s, the Japanese carmakers offered a much wider range of model variants than today. Each model would have a number of bodystyle variants – typically sedan (2-door and 4-door), hatchback, coupe, hardtop and stationwagon. But after the economic bubble burst, numbers became very important and small numbers meant that the variant and even model could no longer be justified.

The decline in sales of coupes, for example, saw the popular sports models like the Toyota Celica and AE86 Levin, Nissan Silvia and Honda Prelude being retired while resources were focused on the big number models and mainly sedans. When SUVs started to become hotsellers, that segment got a lot of focus and product developers got a lot of money.

It’s still a ‘big numbers’ game today and when a sizable niche is identified, then dedicating a variant to it may become justified. This would seem to be the case with the Honda City which has been a sedan all along since being introduced as an ‘Asian Car’ in the mid-1990s (disregarding the fact that the original City was a small hatchback in the 1980s). It’s done very well, especially in the ASEAN region, and has reached the seventh generation.

City Hatchback takes place of Jazz/Fit
Now, exactly a year after the latest generation was launched in Bangkok, Honda has introduced a hatchback variant for the first time. Where the Jazz/Fit used to have a relationship with the City, it appears that Honda has now decided that the City can have its own hatchback, allowing the Jazz to be developed along other lines (perhaps towards full electrification).

As the Fit, the hatchback did very well and reflected the different tastes of new Japanese consumers when it was first introduced in the early 2000s and became the first model to beat the Toyota Corolla to become the bestselling car in the domestic market. However, in recent years, it seems that the appeal of the model has dropped in some markets, notably the USA where it will no longer be on sale after this year. This could well be due to the HR-V having higher appeal with its SUV image.

The declining numbers of the Jazz may even see further development stopped or as mentioned earlier, it will become a full EV model. Meanwhile, there are still people who would like a hatchback instead of a sedan and the move to provide such a bodystyle as a variant of the City would appear to be a clever move. Certainly, it will be a direct rival to the Toyota Yaris, a relation of the Vios.

Traditional conversion from sedan to hatchback
The development of the City Hatchback looks like quite a straightforward job, not unlike the variants of the 1980s where the front half was common to virtually all variants, with the rear half being styled differently. In this case, the third ‘box’ of the 3-box sedan bodystyle has been removed and the roofline slopes downwards to the rear. A very traditional sort of hatchback, one might say.

Hatchbacks are usually shorter than their sedan brothers and a comparison with the latest City shows a difference of 208 mm as the overall length is 4345 mm. However, the wheelbase is similar, as is the width, but the top of the roof is 21 mm higher from the road.

While the Jazz has more ‘extroverted’ styling, the City Hatchback styling seems to take the safe route to appeal to a broader range of buyers, including those who might normally only like a sedan. Those who like a hatchback often see it as a practical car with more variability in accommodating people and cargo.

*Honda ULTRA seat concept in City Hatchback.*

Versatile interior layout with ULTRA seats
The Ultra Seat concept is adopted, this having first appeared in the first Jazz. It’s a simple but very clever idea with the rear seats able to be raised so as to provide a tall space to carry things like plants. Like other hatchbacks, the backrests can also be folded to lengthen the cargo compartment for longer items.

From what can be seen in the pictures, the cabin is pretty much the same as the latest City. This obviously allows Honda to save money by sharing many items, a skill that the Japanese developed to gain an advantage in reducing production costs.

1-litre turbo powertrain with CVT
Only one powertrain with a CVT is offered for the City Hatchback – the 1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder VTEC engine which produces 122 ps/173 Nm. Similar to what is offered in the sedan, the small engine size is okay for Thai buyers but still a question mark for Malaysians, hence the Malaysian City having a 1.5-litre unit. Edaran Tan Chong Motor has made a bold decision (not that it really had a choice) to offer a 1-litre turbocharged engine in its all-new Nissan Almera so we’ll see if that helps change perceptions.

City Hatchback or New Jazz for Malaysia
It would make sense for Honda Malaysia to offer the City Hatchback but whether a variant has been developed with a 1.5-litre powertrain is not known. Jazz sales have been okay in Malaysia and there is a new generation already on sale in Japan but it may save money to assemble a variant of the City rather than invest in jigs for a new Jazz generation.

Another possibility is that Honda could use the City Hatchback to gauge response to the 1-litre engine. It has seen a successful transition in downsizing the engines of the Civic and CR-V to 1.5 litres and times could well have changed that Malaysians no longer ask ‘can go up Genting or not?’ when they see a 1-litre engine.

2021 Honda City RS V — **Click here to read more about the Honda City RS V e:HEV, available in January 2021.**

Great start for new Honda City with 9,000 orders received

In just a month after being officially launched, some 9,000 bookings have been received for the all-new 5^th generation Honda City. To date, over 2,400 cars have been delivered nationwide from Honda’s assembly plant in Melaka.

Clearly, the new model has many appealing attributes that have drawn this impressive number of orders, although it could also be that there are many people who want to enjoy the sales tax exemption before it ends on December 31, 2020.

Sales tax-free pricing
The three variants already in showrooms (the City RS e:HEV will be available at the beginning of 2021) are currently priced (without insurance) as follows: City 1.5S: RM74,191.27 | City 1.5E: RM81,664.82 | City 1.5V: RM86,561.45.

After December 31, when the 10% sales tax is included again, the prices will be: City 1.5S: RM76,800 | City 1.5E: RM84,800 | City 1.5V: RM89,800.

Most popular colour choice
According to Honda Malaysia, the City 1.5V is the most popular variant, accounting for 54% of total bookings received. Of the 5 exterior colour choices offered, Platinum White Pearl appears to be the favourite, with 28% of customers wanting it for their new car.

Not surprisingly, the majority of orders (44%) are in the company’s Central region, with the Northern and Southern regions accounting for 22% and 19%, respectively.

“The 5^th Generation All-New City is very well received in the market and the bookings increased by an additional 80% within a month of its official launch. This outstanding Honda model continues to capture the hearts of Malaysians be it working adults, young executives or young families,” said Toichi Ishiyama, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO.

“Many customers also took the opportunity to purchase their new car during the sales tax exemption period. The attractive pricing of the All-New City in addition to the advanced features are plus points which resulted in the encouraging bookings received,” he added.

Related: The Game-Changer Strikes Again with the 5th Generation Honda City

5-year unlimited mileage warranty
The City comes with a 5-year warranty and no mileage limit. Owners will also be entitled to free labour service for 5 times during the first 100,000 kms or 5 years after registration.

To view or test-drive the new City, visit any of the 102 Honda authorised dealerships nationwide. Information on Honda models and the locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia introduces HondaTouch application for owners and customers

All-new 5th Generation Honda City launched – but hybrid variant comes later

After a month-long teaser campaign, the all-new Honda City in its 5^th generation is officially launched for sale. In spite of the current mood of uncertainty due to the pandemic, there are already some 5,000 people who have put their money down for one and no doubt, the number will grow now that the new model is in showrooms.

The highlight of the teaser campaigns has been the new City RS e:HEV variant, which has a hybrid powertrain. Having been the first company to assemble a hybrid model locally, Honda Malaysia continues to offer it in the City with a new 2-motor hybrid system powered by intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD). Malaysia is the first country in the world to launch the RS e:HEV variant and the honour is partly because this market accounts for 40% of the hybrid vehicles Honda has sold in its Asia & Oceania region.

However, if you’re keen to get one, it’s not available right away and deliveries will only start in January 2021. So while shouting a lot about it, Honda Malaysia is not revealing its price yet but you can book one if you want and be among the first owners.

Since the hybrid model won’t be here for a few more months, we’ll focus on the other three variants first and then go back to it. As before, the variants are S, E and V, all with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with a DOHC and 16-valve cylinder head. Output from this proven engine is 121 ps/145 Nm which goes through a CVT to the front wheels.

*Until the end of this year, the prices will be exempted from 10% sales tax. After that, if there is no extension of the exemption, they will revert to the prices as shown below (without insurance).*

Honda City 1.5S: RM76,800 | Honda City 1.5E: RM84,800 | Honda City 1.5V: RM89,800

The platform has essentially the same elements as before although, in the spirit of kaizen (constant improvement), there would be improvements in materials and engineering to increase efficiency and comfort.

ASEAN NCAP 5-star rating
The latest City has already been tested by ASEAN NCAP and given the maximum rating of 5 stars, which is not surprising. Besides its strong and protective body structure, the car also has a comprehensive range of safety systems that will help the driver avoid accidents and in the 1.5V, six airbags to provide cushioning during a severe accident.

While virtually all cars today come with reverse sensors to help during parking, Honda Malaysia also includes a reverse camera in all three variants. Unlike many reverse camera systems which present only a single image, the one in the City can show three angles – wide, normal and top-down. The different views aid proper positioning of the car in a bay so it won’t appear in some social media post as an example of poor parking.

Same functionality, practicality
Inside, the new City maintains the same functional and practical layout with improvements in the quality of materials. There’s an extra 111 mm in overall length which has been put to good use by improving rear legroom while an additional 54 mm in the overall width should also do something for lateral comfort.

The standard equipment is quite extensive although the cheapest 1.5S variant does not have cruise control nor paddle shifters, and the air-conditioning system requires manual managements. However, all variants now have ducting to the rear so more cool air can reach the passengers.

The 1.5E and 1.5V variants also have Remote Engine Start which allows starting the engine before you even open the doors. While modern engines don’t really need to warm up before moving off, being able to start the engine remotely means that the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the interior.

The audio system is a standard type on the 1.5S but 1.5E and 1.5V come with an 8-inch display panel that looks like a tablet was stuck on the centre of the dashboard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are provided so smartphones can be easily linked and apps transferred to the display. For ease of operation, the icons on the display are large so they will be easy to select. Management of the audio system can be done using switches on the steering wheel.

Honda continues to use rotary dials for the air-conditioning system which is actually better than other methods. With rotary dials, adjustments can be easily done even without looking, certainly better than having the settings done via a touchscreen.

For those who need to recharge their devices, there are two USB ports, along with a 12V plug-in power outlet. Both are located at the front but, strangely rear passengers get two 12V sockets, (located below the air-conditioner vents) instead of USB ports which would be more useful.

Evolutionary styling
The styling of the new City can be considered evolutionary with a sleeker profile as a result of the lower roofline. The front end has also been completely restyled with slimmer headlights. Those on the 1.5V are LEDs and all variants come with LED daytime running lights that also provide a distinctive visual ‘signature’. The rear lighting units on all variants are all LEDs, which has given more design flexibility.

The City RS e-HEV
As this variant won’t be available until January 2021, we’ll just provide an overview for now and tell you more in detail when the car actually goes on sale. As mentioned earlier, the RS e:HEV variant is a world-first with its intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain.

The fuel efficiency comes from intelligent use of the two power units, alternating between three driving modes of EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. There are no paddle shifters but there are Deceleration Selector Paddles that allow the driver to slow down while also getting power regeneration to recharge the battery pack.

The RS variant will have a sportier interior with Ultrasuede upholstery and Red Stitching as well as Sport Pedal Pads. The instrument panel also uses a 7-inch TFT screen to display a wide range of information to the driver.

To enhance the appeal of the City RS, it will be offered with Honda SENSING, a suite of driver assistance systems that are the most advanced in its class. Using a front wide view camera mounted on the windscreen, it can adjust the cruising speed, identify pedestrians and even cyclists and warn the driver or activate the brakes, if necessary. The system can also help to keep the car within its lane and alert the driver if there is wandering off the lane (or even road). Also included is an automatic high-beam system which switches to low beam if there is an oncoming vehicle so as not to dazzle the driver.

Honda LANEWATCH, which was first offered in the Accord, now reaches the City and will be available in the RS variant. This innovative feature provides the driver with a view of the blind spot on the left side of the car by using a small camera mounted below the left door mirror. The display appears whenever the signal light switch is activated. The good thing about this approach is that the driver does not have to turn the head much to see the display at the centre of the dashboard, as opposed to looking for a warning light on the door mirror.

As with other models, Honda Malaysia also offers Modulo accessories specially for the new City. There are 4 packages to suit different requirements with prices starting from RM3,007. The cost can be included in the financing of the car and therefore repaid over a number of years… something which no accessory shop would give you.

Test-drive and viewing of the new City can be done at all authorised Honda dealerships nationwide (although some may be subject to specific MCO conditions). To locate a dealership, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda Insurance Plus plan upgraded with more benefits

Honda Malaysia and SOCAR offer cars for use by frontliners

Collaborating with SOCAR Mobility Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Honda Malaysia is providing 50 units of its City model to frontliners in the War on COVID-19 who are also Honda customers. This programme, on a first come, first served basis, is initiated for frontliners who are unable to use their vehicles during this difficult time, in order to help ease their travel challenges.

Available for one-month duration of usage (Honda Malaysia will bear all rental charges), this collaboration with the car-sharing platform provides mobility aid for the frontliners. The move is Honda Malaysia’s way of showing appreciation to the frontliners who have a brave spirit as well as making self-sacrifices.

*The latest Honda City which is available for use by frontliners.*

The company hopes this initiative with SOCAR can reduce the transportation hassle of frontliners, and thus help them perform their jobs with more peace-of-mind. “Everyone is playing their part in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, and frontliners hold an even more important role in these difficult times. Despite having to withstand extra strain that is being put on them by the current situation, their selfless dedication and sacrifice have gained utmost respect from people in Malaysia and earned worldwide recognition,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

“On behalf of Honda Malaysia, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the frontliners; the battle against COVID-19 would have been tougher without their unwavering perseverance. Inspired by the like-minded challenging spirit, Honda Malaysia would like to assist in any way we can in this unprecedented situation,” he added.

So if you are a frontliner, especially in the healthcare area, do contact Honda Malaysia. You can do at www.honda.com.my where there is also more information about the program.

Honda Origins – the manga version of Honda’s history

5th generation Honda City has world premiere in Thailand

The Honda City started off in the mid-1990s as an ‘Asian Car’, a lower-priced model that could be slotted below what had been the original entry-level model, the Civic. With the appreciation of the yen after the mid-1980s, the Civic’s price level had gone beyond what was ‘entry-level’ so Honda had to offer a model that could help it retain a strong presence in that important segment which brought people into the Honda family.

It was certainly a good move as the primary market, Thailand, was also moving upscale in its own way. Consumers were showing a preference for passenger cars with more comfort instead of the pick-up trucks that dominated the market. The City was an affordable and well built product from a brand that was well respected.

Fast forward to 2019 and four generations have passed; what had been a regional product has become a such a significant model for Honda that the launch of the 5^th generation today was billed as a World Premiere.

Speaking at the launch, Masayuki Igarashi, Chief Officer for Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and President & CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd, said: “Honda City, one of our most important models, was developed and launched as a regional model back in 1996. It has consistently received overwhelming feedback from the 1st through the 4th generations, with accumulated sales of 4 million units in 60 countries worldwide. The Asia & Oceania region is an important market for Honda City, with more than 100,000 units sold in the region in 2019 (January to September 2019), which accounts for almost 70% of Honda City sales worldwide.”

He said that as Thailand is the leading market for the City, the Thai people are given the honour of being the first to see the al-new generation of the City. “We expect to create an unprecedented phenomenon as it exceeds the expectations of customers and sets a new standard for Thailand’s automotive market once again,” Mr. Igarashi said.

A bigger City
Just as the Civic ‘grew up’ and became a larger car in many aspects – just compare today’s generation to the first Civic sedan of the late 1970s – so too has the new City gained additional millimetres. Now measuring 4553 mm in overall length, it is 113 mm longer with 53 mm added to the width to broaden it to 1748 mm. But interestingly, the wheelbase has been marginally shortened by 11 mm to 2589 mm, which is negligible. The roofline is also lower by 10 mm and this reduction helps in giving a sleeker profile for the lengthened body.

Sharp character lines give the new model distinctiveness and sportiness, along with the projector headlights incorporating LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and LED tail lights. Chrome is used for the front grille with a Shark Fin Antenna on the roof. There are also newly-designed 15-inch alloy wheels fitted (16 inches for the RS variant).

Premium with more space
“Premium” is what carmakers strive for these days and even at the lower end of their range, they try their best to give a ‘premium’ feel because it helps in creating a more positive perception. Honda has been pretty good at it and this is evident in the cabin.

The interior design, with efficient ergonomics and more space creates an environment with seating that provides optimal comfort for the driver and all passengers. For the Thai market, customers can choose a black interior or leather seats with a two-tone ivory/black interior (SV variant only); a Piano Black console, and chrome inside door handles.

As before, there are useful features such as the Multi-information Display (MID) with illumination, 8-inch Advanced Touch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Siri Voice Control, Multi-function Steering Wheel with HFT, Bluetooth connectivity, and an automatic air-conditioning system.

RS variant for the first time
For the first time, the City is available in a RS variant that gives it a sportier and more premium look. The RS variant comes with a complete set of sporty aeroparts including a Gloss Black front grille with RS logo emblem, sporty front bumper and grille, LED Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED Fog Lights, Sporty Black Power-retractable Side Door Mirrors with Turning Lights, Gloss Black Boot Spoiler with an ‘RS’ logo, and new sporty-design 16-inch Alloy Wheels.

The RS cabin is undeniably sporty with newly-designed suede leather seats with red stitching, a Multi-information Display with red illumination, and an eye-catching new Ignite Red exterior colour only available for the RS variant.

All-new 1-litre engine
This will be the first City with a 1-litre Earcth Dreams engine, but the displacement belies the real performance of the powerplant. It’s a new 1.0-litre DOHC 3-cylinder, 12-valve, VTEC TURBO engine with an output of 122 ps at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 173 Nm from 2000 to 4500 rpm. With driving performance said to be superior to the 1.5-litre engine in the previous generation and torque equivalent to a 1.8-litre engine, customers are likely to ignore the displacement that traditionally indicated performance levels.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) for high fuel efficiency which is claimed to be up to 23.8 kms/litre. The environmental credentials of the new City are also strong with a low carbon dioxide rating of 99 gms/km, Euro5 emission levels and compatibility with E20 petrol.

As for safety, it is only to be expected that Honda will raise the standards and offer better protection for the occupants. The new City’s advanced safety technologies include a G-CON (G-Force Control) body structure with 6 airbags, ABS + EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and A Multi-angle Rearview Camera.

First deliveries
Manufactured in Thailand, the all-new City will be in showrooms there from December 24, 2019. It will be launched progressively in other markets although Malaysia may require some extra time as there is a high degree of localisation of parts.

Looking at the prices in Thailand won’t really give an indication of how much the new model will cost in Malaysia when it is launched as the tax structures are different. However, for those who are interested, the range is from 579,500 baht (equivalent to RM80,000) to 739,000 baht (RM102,000) for the RS variant.

Honda Malaysia menghadiahkan TUJUH Honda City baharu!

Honda Malaysia telah menghadiahkan tujuh buah Honda City baharu kepada para pemenang peraduan kempen ‘Joy of Buying’ yang telah dijalankan dari 1 September hingga 31 Oktober 2018. Peraduan ini telah dijalankan sempena ulang tahun Honda yang ke-70 dimana Honda Malaysia memberi fokus kepada aspek membeli, menjual dan mereka dari konsep ‘3 Joys of Honda’. (more…)

PROMO: Honda Malaysia Offering Cash Rebates Up To RM50,000 For Year-End “3XTRAORDINARY” Savings Campaign!

For customers who are eyeing a brand new Honda this season, fabulous news awaits! Honda Malaysia has announced its 3XTRAORDINARY Savings campaign where customers can enjoy Low Interest Rate* or Cash Option*, Year-End Bonus* and Extra Cash Rebate* which starts from 1 December 2018 until 31 December 2018*. Customers can enjoy extra cash rebates plus an exclusive gift* when they drive home a new Honda model, in time to usher in the new year!

The rebates ranging from RM2,500 to RM50,000* are available for various Honda models, namely Jazz, BR-V, City, Civic, CR-V, Accord, Odyssey and Civic Type R. To enjoy the great rebates, the vehicle must be registered between 1 December 2018 and 31 December 2018* and purchased from any of the 97 authorised Honda dealers nationwide. At the same time, Honda Malaysia is also rewarding existing Honda Insurance Plus (HIP) customers with a gift** when they renew their HIP insurance during this campaign period.

The 3XTRAORDINARY Savings campaign was conceived this time around as a celebration and recognition of the trust that Malaysian customers have placed in the Honda brand. Honda Malaysia has maintained its position as the No.1 in Non-National Segment and No.2 in overall Total Industry Volume (TIV) thus far since January, thanks to its stellar sales performance.

Among the best-selling Honda models, the City tops the chart with more than 30,200 units sold and contributed 32% to Honda Malaysia’s total sales from January to November 2018. With this outstanding performance, City sealed its popularity by leading the B-segment sedan as of November 2018. The Civic and CR-V were also highly popular with Malaysians, contributing 16% and 13% respectively to the company’s total sales units as of November 2018.

At the beginning of the year, Honda Malaysia launched the Odyssey with Honda SENSING, completing the line-up of SUV, sedan and MPV equipped with this Next Generation Advanced Safety Technology. Now available in the CR-V, Accord and Odyssey; the Honda SENSING underlines Honda’s continuous efforts to introduce advanced technologies that make mobility better and lives more comfortable and safer. For more information on the 3XTRAORDINARY Savings campaign or to book a test drive, customers can visit any of the 97 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide or call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log onto www.honda.com.my for more information.

* Terms and conditions apply
**Only for customers who renew their HIP insurance at a Honda Authorised Dealer during the campaign
period. Gifts are valid while stocks last. Other terms and conditions apply.

Honda City Remains Top-Seller In B-Segment!

Honda Malaysia recently celebrated a milestone for its best-selling model, which is also the No.1 model in the B-segment, the City, with the sales of its 300,000^th unit in Malaysia. The City’s popularity in Malaysia is undeniable. The 2^nd Generation City which was launched in 2001 sold more than 61,000 units while the 3^rd Generation City brought the legacy a step higher with more than 85,000 units sold. The current 4^th Generation City recorded more than 155,300 units since its launch in 2014. When the newly enhanced and refreshed 4^th Generation City was launched in March 2017, it continued to be well accepted, with more than 48,900 units sold since then till August 2018.

Between January to August 2018, sales of the City contributed 30% to the overall sales for Honda Malaysia, and captured 51% of the market share in the B-segment. During the same period, sales showed an increase of 16% compared to the same period in 2017. These positive numbers resulted in Honda Malaysia maintaining its No.1 position in the Non-National segment and No.2 position in overall Total Industry Volume (TIV) to-date. Throughout the period of January to August 2018, the E variant emerged as the top selling variant with a sales contribution of 44% while the V variant contributed 33%. Sales from the Central region was the highest contributor at 49%, followed by Southern region and Northern region at 20% and 19% respectively.

Commenting on the milestone achieved by the City, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Office, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “We are delighted to mark this milestone of surpassing the 300,000 unit sales for the City within a span of 17 years since it was first introduced in Malaysia. This has proven the success of the City in Malaysia. The 4^th Generation City is the best-selling model in Honda and the model continues to lead in the B-segment. This outstanding record achievement would not have been possible without the support from our customers. I would like to extend our sincere appreciation and thankfulness to Malaysians for their support and belief in our brand, and for making City their vehicle of choice.”

The City is powered by Honda’s 1.5L i-VTEC engine combined with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). Paired with a fun and responsive paddle shift, the City provides the Joy of Driving through a perfect combination of performance and fuel economy. Further elevating its sleek and stylish design, the City comes with LED Headlights* with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and LED Front Fog Lights*. Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels are equipped as well to provide a stylish appearance.

The interior of the City is developed under Honda’s ‘Man Maximum, Machine Minimum’ concept, designed to maximize the space for driver, passengers and goods. The stunning 4^th Generation City is a model with an interior that is comparable with D-segment space in a B-segment size, providing ultimate comfort. Trunk space in the City remains the biggest in its class at 536L, making it the perfect sedan that is extremely convenient for road trips with ample room for luggage, baby strollers and even foldable bicycles.

Reinforcing its safety features, the City is equipped with 6 airbags* from the dual front, side and side curtain that ensures a safe journey for the driver and passengers. The standard active safety features made available are Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS). The City is available for viewing and test drive at any of Honda’s 97 authorized dealers nationwide. Customers can call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on to www.honda.com.my for more information.

Piston.my

Honda City

New vs Old Honda City: Why current City owners should trade up!

Lets start with the interior..

Same power figures but better fuel consumption!

Design

Passenger Comfort

Conclusion

Honda stays at No.1 position in Non-National segment for 6th year

Honda City range now has a hatchback variant

Great start for new Honda City with 9,000 orders received

All-new 5th Generation Honda City launched – but hybrid variant comes later

Honda Malaysia and SOCAR offer cars for use by frontliners

5th generation Honda City has world premiere in Thailand

Honda Malaysia menghadiahkan TUJUH Honda City baharu!

Honda City Remains Top-Seller In B-Segment!

New vs Old Honda City: Why current City owners should trade up!

Honda stays at No.1 position in Non-National segment for 6th year

Honda City range now has a hatchback variant

Great start for new Honda City with 9,000 orders received

All-new 5th Generation Honda City launched – but hybrid variant comes later

Honda Malaysia and SOCAR offer cars for use by frontliners

5th generation Honda City has world premiere in Thailand

Honda Malaysia menghadiahkan TUJUH Honda City baharu!

Honda City Remains Top-Seller In B-Segment!

Archive

The Redesigned Mini John Cooper Works Countryman: 0-100km/h in 5.4 Seconds

Volvo Car Malaysia Unveils Enhanced 2024 C40 Recharge Pure Electric

Unveiling the Future: BMW Vision Neue Klasse X First Look

Introducing the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance: A Hybrid Powerhouse

Review: Honda Civic Type R FL5 – How Much Better Is It Than The FK8?

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

The Piston Show