2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 E Review

As competition intensifies in Malaysia's B-segment hatchback market, consumers are demanding more balanced options—vehicles that are economical and practical for daily commutes but do not compromise on features and safety. The 2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 E, as a popular contender in this segment, returns with Honda SENSING safety suite standard across all trims, optimized interior configurations, and a reliable 1.5L naturally aspirated engine. Many family users and young buyers are now focusing on whether it is worth purchasing. The focus of our test drive this time is to verify whether its dynamic performance matches its specifications on paper and whether its practicality in daily use meets expectations.

From the exterior, the new model continues the youthful style of the City series but appears more refined in the details. The chrome garnish connecting the H-emblem on the front grill to the headlights broadens the visual width; the lower trapezoidal black honeycomb grille adds a touch of sophistication without being too ostentatious while offering enough identity. The side profile flows smoothly, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the tail, making the side view less monotonous. The 15-inch multi-spoke wheels, though not large, matched with 185/60 R15 tires, enhance practicality for everyday commuting. At the rear, the LED taillights feature a smoked finish that aligns with the rear spoiler on the back window, creating a look that appeals to young people but avoids being as exaggerated as performance models. Regarding the lighting system, although the main headlights use halogen bulbs, it comes equipped with LED daytime running lights and an automatic headlight function, which ensures convenience for daily use.

Sitting inside, the interior layout prioritizes practicality over excessive flair. The dashboard is a combination of soft-touch plastics and textured panels; while the feel isn't luxurious, it's in line with the standards for this price range. The 8-inch central control touchscreen serves as the visual focal point with a simple and intuitive interface, supporting Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Although it lacks CarPlay or Android Auto, the basic functions are sufficient for daily use. The multifunction steering wheel includes paddle shifters, with the left side controlling the volume and phone functions and the right side adjusting the ACC cruise control, making blind operation quite convenient. The instrument cluster is an electronic analog backlit design, clearly displaying information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption, with a central screen that can switch to display the Honda SENSING operational status, making information easy to access.

Space is one of the strengths of the City Hatchback, with a 2600mm wheelbase that places it squarely within the mainstream dimensions of B-segment vehicles. The front row seats offer manual adjustments and good support; a passenger with a height of 175cm sitting inside will have about a fist and two fingers of headroom. The rear space is even more surprising: a passenger of the same height can enjoy about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom without feeling cramped. The rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and two USB charging ports, ensuring comfort for rear passengers during long journeys. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 289 liters, which is sufficient for two 20-inch suitcases. For loading larger items, the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, and the "flip-up seat base" design allows the floor to remain almost flat when folded, maximizing practicality.

In terms of power, it is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power of 121PS and a maximum torque of 145N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. During daily driving, the power output is linear, the start is not sluggish, and the acceleration process to 60km/h is very smooth, making it suitable for urban commuting. After switching to S mode, the throttle response becomes more aggressive. When overtaking, pressing the gas pedal deeply makes the transmission simulate gear changes. Although it doesn't have the explosive power of turbocharged engines, the power after the RPM increases is sufficient to handle high-speed overtaking. However, after reaching 120km/h during high-speed driving, the reserve power for further acceleration is not substantial, making it more suitable for steady-speed cruising.

The handling and chassis performance are oriented towards comfort. The steering wheel feels light, with minimal play, making daily parking or lane changes very agile. The suspension adopts a combination of front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam, which is tuned to be soft. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, it filters out most bumps without any noticeable rigid impact. When driving on mountain roads, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, not causing a lack of confidence due to soft suspension. Overall performance fits the positioning of a family car. The brake pedal feels linear, with the initial response not being abrupt, and the braking force being sufficient in the later stage, making it easy to control during daily driving.

In the fuel consumption test segment, we drove 50km each in urban traffic and highway conditions, using the air conditioning throughout the journey. The final displayed fuel consumption was 5.8L/100km, which is close to the official figure of 5.6L/100km, showing good fuel economy. In terms of noise control, the cabin remains quiet at speeds below 60km/h, with only slight tire noise. Once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise gradually becomes noticeable but does not disrupt normal conversation. The overall performance is consistent with the expectations for cars in this price range.

Safety features are the highlight of the 2024 model. The 1.5 E model comes standard with Honda SENSING, which includes lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control (ACC). During the test drive, the ACC performed well on highways, maintaining a steady following distance with timely adjustments. The lane departure warning reminded by vibrating the steering wheel when lane changes were attempted without signaling. The collision mitigation braking system provided early warnings and assisted braking when a sudden stop occurred with the car ahead. These features significantly enhance everyday driving safety.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 E are evident: the standard Honda SENSING safety suite is uncommon in cars within the same price range, the car offers strong practicality in terms of space, is fuel-efficient, and benefits from Honda's reputation for reliability. Compared to competitors in its class, such as the Toyota Yaris or Proton Persona, it offers more spacious rear seats and more comprehensive safety features. Although its power is not as aggressive as turbocharged models, it excels in smoothness and durability.

This car is clearly suitable for specific groups of people: first, families prioritizing practicality, as the rear space and trunk flexibility meet daily shopping and family travel needs; second, young professionals, as it is economical in fuel consumption, easy to park, and well-equipped with trendy features; and finally, safety-conscious buyers, as the standard six airbags and active safety systems provide an above-average offering in its price segment.

Overall, the 2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 E is not a model that pursues extreme performance, but rather a well-balanced option "without obvious shortcomings." It caters precisely to the core needs of Malaysian consumers for a B-segment hatchback with its practical space, reliable power, and comprehensive safety features. If you are looking for an easy-to-drive, worry-free family car for daily use, this will be a choice you can’t go wrong with.