2022 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V Review

The B-segment hatchback market has always been the main battleground for Malaysian family users and young consumers, requiring a balance between everyday commuting convenience and weekend practicality. The 2022 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V, as a popular contender in this segment, stands out with its balanced configurations and reliable performance. In this test drive, we aim to verify whether it can distinguish itself in its class and become the "blind pick" model for users.

Approaching the vehicle, the overall design leans towards a youthful and sporty look while maintaining the steadiness of a family car. The front face features Honda's signature black grille, with a chrome trim above the grille connecting the LED headlights on both sides, enhancing visual width. The side profile has sleek lines, with a waistline extending from the bonnet to the rear, adding a three-dimensional feel. The 16-inch alloy wheels have a simple design and are paired with 185/55 R16 tires, aligning with its family-oriented positioning. The LED taillights at the rear also adopt a smoked finish, echoing the front face. The black cladding at the lower part of the rear bumper enhances the sporty vibe, ensuring a high level of recognition overall.

Opening the door, the interior is primarily black, with the dashboard wrapped in soft materials, offering a pleasant touch. The center console layout is clear, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen in the middle that supports Bluetooth connectivity and the Sound Plus function, with operational smoothness meeting expectations. The instrument panel is an electronic analog display, providing comprehensive information such as speed, RPM, and fuel consumption. The multifunction steering wheel supports volume adjustment and phone controls. On the left side, a 220V/230V power outlet is provided, convenient for rear passengers using electrical devices. The seats are manually adjustable; the front seats offer moderate cushioning and are comfortable for extended periods of sitting. The rear seats support 60:40 split folding and bottom folding. When folded, the trunk space expands from 289L to a larger volume, meeting cargo needs.

In terms of space performance, the car measures 4345mm in length, 1748mm in width, and 1488mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2600mm. The front seating space is ample, providing a 175cm tall passenger with a fist's worth of headroom. The rear legroom is nearly two fists, and the headroom is also about one fist, ensuring that even with five passengers, it doesn’t feel cramped. For storage space, the front row has two cup holders, a central armrest box, and door storage pockets, while the rear row comes equipped with air conditioning vents and two cup holders, offering strong practicality.

In terms of power, it features a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 121PS and a peak torque of 145Nm, paired with a CVT transmission. During start-up, the power response is quick, and a light press on the accelerator provides decent acceleration. The acceleration process is smooth, with no noticeable jerks. Although mid-to-high-speed acceleration is not exceptionally aggressive, it meets the needs for everyday overtaking. There are two driving modes: Economy and Normal. In Economy mode, the throttle response is slightly subdued, suitable for commuting and reducing fuel consumption. In Normal mode, the power output is more direct, making it better suited for highway driving.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal slack and clear directionality. The suspension system features a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When driving over bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out most vibrations, preventing passengers inside the car from feeling significant jolts. During cornering, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, maintaining good stability. The braking performance is reliable, with a linear feedback when pressing the brake pedal. The braking force is evenly distributed without any abruptness.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 50 kilometers each on city roads and highways. The combined fuel consumption was approximately 5.8L per 100 kilometers, slightly higher than the official 5.6L. Considering the occasional hard acceleration during the test drive, this result is excellent. Noise control performance is good. Tire and wind noise are not obvious during low-speed driving, and while engine noise increases slightly at high speeds, it does not affect normal conversations. The seat comfort is good; the rear seats are softly padded, providing comfort even on long trips.

In terms of safety features, the car is equipped with 6 standard airbags, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. It also includes engine start-stop technology, placing it at a leading level in its class in terms of safety. Keyless entry and power-folding side mirrors enhance everyday convenience.

Overall, the main advantage of the 2022 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 V lies in its balance—adequate power, practical configurations, and spacious interior. Compared to the Toyota Yaris in the same segment, it offers more rear space and richer features. In comparison to the Proton Persona Hatchback, Honda has the upper hand in brand reliability and resale value.

This car is suitable for families who prioritize balanced performance, especially those who need to cater to both daily commuting and weekend outings. It is also worth considering for young consumers who value reliability and peace of mind. Overall, the City Hatchback 1.5 V has no significant shortcomings and is a hatchback that meets the needs of most family car users.