2021 Honda City 1.5 V Review

Currently, the competition in the B-segment sedan market in Malaysia remains fierce. Most consumers not only desire a balance in space but also place great emphasis on practicality and cost-effectiveness for daily use. The 2021 Honda City 1.5 V, as a popular contender in this segment, has maintained a high level of attention with its updated features and reliable powertrain. This time, we got a test drive vehicle to examine whether it truly meets the needs of family users and young consumers in terms of static experience, dynamic driving, and daily usage scenarios.

From the outside, the overall style of the City 1.5 V leans towards a youthful and sporty vibe while maintaining the stability of a family car. The front face adopts Honda's family design language, with a large grille featuring chrome accents, which makes it highly recognizable. The LED headlights are sharp in design and come standard with automatic headlights and daytime running lights, which are convenient for daily use. The side profile features streamlined lines, 16-inch tires paired with multi-spoke rims, giving it a well-proportioned look. At the rear, the taillights echo the design of the headlights, and the slightly upturned trunk lid creates a visual effect akin to a small spoiler, enhancing the sporty feel. The entire exterior avoids overly aggressive designs, making it appealing to most family users.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is simple and well-organized. The materials are primarily hard plastics, but soft-touch materials are added on the dashboard and door panels, giving a decent tactile feel. The center console is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports the Sound Plus feature, with good operational fluency, and there are some physical buttons below for easier blind operation while driving. The instrument cluster adopts a combination of analog and digital displays, clearly showing information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption. The multifunction steering wheel comes with paddle shifters as standard, enhancing driving fun. Seats are manually adjustable but offer good support and wrapping, ensuring comfort during long drives. The rear seats can be split-folded in a 60:40 ratio, and together with the 519L trunk capacity, they can easily accommodate a baby stroller or a large suitcase.

In terms of space, the City 1.5 V features a wheelbase of 2600mm. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable driving position, the rear passengers have a knee room of approximately two fists, and headroom is also sufficient. There is a slight hump under the feet of the middle passenger, but it does not significantly affect everyday seating. Both the front and rear rows are equipped with air vents; the front features single-zone automatic air conditioning, while the rear air conditioning can be adjusted independently, providing a good experience during summer. There is ample storage space, such as door pockets and a center armrest box, making it convenient for everyday items like phones and water bottles.

As for the powertrain, this car is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum horsepower of 121PS, with peak torque output achieved at 4300rpm. It is paired with a CVT transmission. The power response is agile during starts, and a slight press on the accelerator provides a noticeable thrust. Although mid-to-high range acceleration isn’t as aggressive as turbocharged engines, it is sufficient for everyday overtaking needs. When switched to sport mode, the transmission maintains higher RPM, offering more direct power delivery. The steering is precise, with minimal play, and the body roll is well-controlled when cornering. The suspension system features a front MacPherson strut independent suspension, effectively filtering out most minor vibrations on bumpy roads. When crossing speed bumps or large potholes, the chassis feels solid without any looseness.

The fuel consumption performance meets expectations. We drove 50km each in urban congested roads and highways, and the combined fuel consumption is around 5.8L/100km, slightly higher than the official 5.4L/100km. However, considering real road conditions, this result is excellent. In terms of noise control, the cabin is very quiet when driving at low speeds. At high speeds, there is some wind and tire noise, but it does not affect normal conversation. The seat support is good, and combined with the suspension damping effect, it ensures comfort during long drives.

For safety features, the City 1.5 V comes standard with 6 airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, front and rear sensors, and a reversing camera, all of which contribute to solid safety performance. Additionally, features such as keyless entry, electrically foldable mirrors, and a 220V power outlet improve everyday convenience.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2021 Honda City 1.5 V lie in its balanced space performance, rich configuration, and reliable powertrain. Compared with the Toyota Vios of the same class, it has a larger rear seating space and more features. Against the Proton Persona, it has the edge in brand reliability and resale value. This car is very suitable for practical family users, meeting the needs of daily commuting and weekend family trips. For young consumers, the sporty exterior and paddle shifters also provide a certain amount of driving pleasure. If you are looking for a balanced and reliable family sedan, the City 1.5 V is worth considering.