2023 Honda City facelift – spec-by-spec comparison of S, E, V and RS Malaysian variants, fr. RM85k to RM112k

news7g08/11/2023

1 5 minutes read

2023 Honda City facelift - spec-by-spec comparison of S, E, V and RS Malaysian variants, fr. RM85k to RM112k

The 2023 Honda City facelift, which was officially launched in Malaysia yesterday, arrives on the scene with some minor exterior styling revisions as well as updated equipment. Like with the pre-facelift, the B-segment sedan continues to be offered in five variant forms, the complement made up of four petrol units and a hybrid.

The petrol versions are the S, E, V and a new petrol RS, which replaces the previous V-Sensing variant, with the RS e:HEV hybrid sitting at the top of the model range. Pricing starts at RM84,900 for the S, while the E retails for RM89,900, the V for RM94,900 and the RS for RM99,900. As for the City e:HEV RS, it is priced at RM111,900. All prices are on-the-road without insurance.

The petrol variants continue to be powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four DOHC i-VTEC engine, carried over from the pre-facelift without any changes. As such, the unit continues to offer 121 PS (119 hp or 89 kW) at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, and it remains paired with the CVT from before.

No changes to the hybrid powertrain on the e:HEV RS either. The Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system features an electric motor rated at 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW) and 253 Nm. This is juiced by a lithium-ion battery that is charged by a second electric motor linked to a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine.

2023 Honda The New City FL eHEV RS_Ext-4

2023 Honda The New City FL eHEV RS_Ext-5

The petrol mill is rated at 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 127 Nm of torque, and while it largely acts as a generator, it can clutch in through a single-speed transmission (dubbed E-CVT) to provide direct drive to the wheels at higher speeds where it is most efficient.

Aside from new exterior styling for both the front and rear, the refresh introduces a higher level of kit from the get-go. The City facelift now comes with six airbags and Honda Sensing as standard across the range, although only the RS e:HEV features a Low Speed Follow function for the latter.

The S, E, V and petrol RS omits this one due to their mechanical parking brake, but everything else from the safety suite is on. In that kitbag is Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System (autonomous emergency braking), Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lead Car Departure Notification and Auto High Beam.

Kit-wise, the base S comes fitted with 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels (185/60 profile tyres), automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED DRLs, keyless entry and start with walk away auto lock, paddle shifters (new for the S), a 4.2-inch multi-info full colour instrument cluster display, manual air-conditioning (with rear vents), one USB port, a multi-angle reverse camera and a standard audio system with Bluetooth and four speakers.

The E variant adds on remote engine start, another front USB port, two rear USB ports, four tweeters, single-zone automatic climate control as well as an eight-inch Display Audio touchscreen head unit that supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also, its 15-inch wheels feature a dual-tone finish, while its door handles are done in chrome.

Moving up to the V adds on 16-inch single-tone alloys (with 185/55 profile tyres), automatic LED headlamps, front LED fog lamps, leather upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel/gear knob. The variant also gets the automaker’s LaneWatch side-view camera system.

The petrol RS nets you the specification’s exterior styling and badging, 16-inch dual-tone alloys as well as a sportier-looking black interior, complete with red contrast stitching elements. Also going on are a seven-inch digital instrument cluster (with red intrument cluster pointer needles), sports pedals, Honda Connect telematics as well as support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The range-topping City RS e:HEV adds on the Low Speed Follow function mentioned earlier as well as a deceleration selector paddle for the i-MMD system. As for exterior colours, all five variants share three exterior colours, namely Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl. The petrol variants get two additional options, these being Crystal Black Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.

The City facelift comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and free labour service (applicable up to five times within 100,000 km or five years), and the hybrid variant also comes with an eight-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for its lithium-ion battery. Honda Connect is available as a cost option for the S, E and V variants.