2021 Honda City 1.5 S Review

In recent years, competition in Malaysia’s B-segment car market has become increasingly intense. Consumers' demand for practicality in space, balanced configuration, and fuel efficiency has become more clear, and the 2021 Honda City 1.5 S, as one of the popular models in this segment, continues to attract attention due to its endorsement of Honda's brand reliability and family-oriented design. The biggest selling points of this car are its relatively outstanding space performance in the same price range, comprehensive basic configurations, and market-proven fuel efficiency. This test drive will primarily validate whether its static experience meets family needs, whether its dynamic performance fulfills daily commuting and occasional long-distance scenarios, and whether its overall cost-effectiveness makes it competitive within the same class.

From the exterior, the overall design style of the 2021 City 1.5 S leans towards steady and smooth, without overly aggressive design elements. The front features Honda's signature wide chrome strip, connecting the halogen + LED combination headlamps on both sides, with LED daytime running lights providing moderate recognition when lit. The side profile shows clean and neat waistlines extending from the hood to the rear, while the 15-inch tire specifications are well-proportioned to the body and do not appear thin. At the rear, the horizontal layout of the tail lights is connected by chrome accents, and the lower part of the rear bumper includes black plastic trim, adding a subtle layer of texture. The overall design aligns with the aesthetic needs of family users for being "pleasant to look at and not overly ostentatious," while the chrome details add a touch of refinement.

Entering the cabin, the interior primarily uses black as the main color tone, with a clean and organized layout on the center console. In terms of materials, most areas are made of hard plastic, but the surface treatment is relatively delicate without a noticeable sense of cheapness. The center console features a touch-screen design with a moderate size and simple, intuitive operational logic, requiring minimal learning for daily use. The instrument panel combines mechanical dials and a digital display, clearly showing key information like speed, RPM, and fuel levels, proving to be highly practical. In terms of features, keyless entry/start, side airbags for the front row + front/rear side airbags (a total of 4), front/rear parking sensors, rearview camera, rear air conditioning vents, and other functions are all standard configurations. Notably, the rear air conditioning vents and 220V power outlet are particularly practical for family users. The seats are manually adjustable with fabric materials, offering moderate support and wrapping. Long periods of seating are not significantly uncomfortable.

Space performance is one of the core strengths of the City 1.5 S. The vehicle's dimensions are 4553mm in length, 1748mm in width, and 1467mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2600mm, which places it at the mid-to-upper level among B-segment cars. The front-row seating offers ample space, and a 175cm tall passenger still has a fist’s worth of headroom after adjusting the seat. The rear row is particularly spacious; passengers of the same height sitting in the back will have about two fist-widths of legroom and one fist of headroom, making it comfortable even with three passengers fully seated. The trunk offers a capacity of 519L with a wide opening, accommodating three 20-inch suitcases with ease in its standard state. The rear seats support a 60:40 split fold, which can be flattened to create more storage space, meeting needs for moving, transporting long items, and more. Interior storage compartments are also quite abundant, with decent capacities in areas like door panel storage slots, the central armrest box, and the glove box, making it convenient for storing daily small items.

In terms of power, the City 1.5 S is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 121PS/6600rpm and a peak torque of 145N·m/4300rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. During daily driving, the power output is smooth and linear, and the response during start-up is prompt without feeling sluggish. During acceleration, the characteristics of the CVT transmission ensure very consistent power output without shift shocks. When overtaking at low to medium speeds, pressing the accelerator hard provides decent acceleration, fully meeting the needs for urban commuting and highway cruising. There are two driving modes to choose from: Economy and Normal. In Economy mode, the throttle response is slightly slower, but fuel efficiency is better; Normal mode is more suitable for daily driving, offering more active power output.

The handling and suspension are tuned for comfort, with the steering wheel feeling light and the steering precise. U-turns and parking are very easy. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, tuned on the softer side, effectively filtering out minor road bumps. When driving over speed bumps or rough roads, vehicle vibrations are not overly pronounced, ensuring high passenger comfort. At high speeds, the vehicle stability is commendable. While cruising at 120km/h, the steering wheel maintains accuracy without noticeable play, and the chassis feels solid. The fuel consumption performance meets expectations, with fuel consumption of about 6.5L/100km in urban conditions and below 5L/100km on highways. The overall fuel consumption is close to the official figure of 5.4L/100km, highlighting its impressive fuel efficiency, which can significantly reduce vehicle operating costs for family users.

In terms of driving and riding comfort, the noise insulation is average among its class. At lower speeds in urban conditions, tire noise and wind noise are well-controlled, while at higher speeds, wind noise becomes more noticeable but does not interfere with normal interior conversations. The seat comfort is decent, with fabric seats offering good breathability, ensuring that long periods of sitting do not feel stuffy. The air conditioning system cools quickly, with a single-zone manual AC that is easy to operate. The rear air conditioning vents can rapidly lower the rear cabin temperature, improving the overall ride experience.

Overall, the 2021 Honda City 1.5 S's core strengths lie in its spacious interior, comprehensive basic configurations, smooth power output, and outstanding fuel efficiency. Compared to the Toyota Vios in the same class, the City offers more space and richer configurations. Compared to the Volkswagen Virtus, the City boasts better fuel efficiency and reliability reputation. This vehicle is particularly suitable for family users who value practicality, fuel efficiency, and reliability, especially for consumers who often need to travel with their families. If your budget is around 80,000 MYR and you are looking for a well-balanced family sedan with no significant shortcomings, the 2021 Honda City 1.5 S would be a great choice.