2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5L RS Review

The B-segment hatchback market in Malaysia has always been highly competitive. Consumers not only demand economical options for daily commuting but also value rich configurations, and occasionally require space for short weekend getaways. The 2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5L RS, as a popular player in this segment, returns this time with more comprehensive safety features and RS sporty styling, focusing on a combination of "balanced practicality + youthful style." The core purpose of this test drive is to verify whether its actual performance in terms of power, space, and configuration matches its RM 100,900 price tag, and whether it can meet the dual needs of local family users and young consumers.

From a distance, the sporty feel of the 2024 City Hatchback RS is more pronounced than the standard version. The front features Honda's signature honeycomb grille, paired with RS-specific glossy black trims. The sharp LED headlights on both sides are integrated with the grille, visually broadening the front. The side profile is sleek, with smooth lines extending from the front fender to the rear. While the waistline is not overly exaggerated, it adds a sense of muscularity. The 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are a unique design for the RS version, with tire dimensions of 185/55 R16, balancing comfort and grip. The most notable changes are at the rear. The smoked LED taillights feature a through-type design, connected in the middle by a black trim strip. Below, the rear bumper incorporates a faux diffuser design, paired with a concealed exhaust pipe, giving the overall style a youthful and distinctive look. In terms of lighting, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and automatic headlights all come as standard, providing sufficient brightness for nighttime use. The front fog lights offer additional visibility on rainy or foggy roads.

Opening the doors, the interior layout follows Honda's consistent practical design, with the RS version adding some sporty elements as accents. The dashboard incorporates a combination of soft-touch plastic and piano black materials. While the piano black tends to collect fingerprints, it doesn’t feel cheap to the touch. The instrument cluster is of the electronic analog illumination type, displaying information clearly, including real-time fuel consumption, vehicle speed, and the status of driver assistance systems. The 8-inch central touchscreen is positioned at the top of the center console and supports Bluetooth connectivity and basic audio controls. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to operate. In terms of configurations, keyless entry and start come as standard, adding convenience to daily use. The multifunction steering wheel features paddle shifters with moderate feedback strength, enhancing driving pleasure. The automatic air conditioning is single-zone controlled, but the rear seats come with independent air vents, ensuring comfort for rear passengers. The seats are made of a fabric and leather combination. The front seats offer good support, and although the manual adjustment lacks the convenience of electric controls, the adjustable range covers most drivers' heights. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding design, expanding the trunk space when folded down, making it easy to accommodate larger items. Additionally, the rear seats are equipped with ISOFIX child seat anchors, making it family-friendly.

The space performance meets the standards of the B-segment hatchback level, with a wheelbase of 2600mm, placing it among the upper tier of its class. When the driver's seat is adjusted to a comfortable driving position, a 175cm tall passenger has about one fist of headroom in the front seats. The rear seats can comfortably fit a passenger of the same height, leaving two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, without feeling cramped. In terms of storage space, the front cup holders, central armrest box, and door storage compartments are practical, providing space for small items like phones, water bottles, and wallets. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 289L, sufficient for groceries or two carry-on suitcases. With the rear seats folded down, it can accommodate a baby stroller or a folding bicycle, meeting the needs of short trips.

In terms of power, it is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum horsepower of 121PS and a maximum torque of 145N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. During actual driving, the start is relatively smooth without the abruptness of a turbocharged car. At low speeds, the power response is prompt, making it easy to handle congested city roads. After accelerating to 60km/h, if you continue pressing the accelerator, the power output gradually increases in a linear manner. For overtaking, you need to allow some distance in advance, as naturally aspirated engines do not have strong acceleration capabilities at high speeds. There are two driving modes: Economy and Normal. In Economy mode, the throttle response becomes slower, which is suitable for daily commuting and fuel savings. In Normal mode, the power is more responsive, suitable for suburban or highway driving.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has moderate weight, with little play, making daily driving very nimble and parking effortless. The suspension system combines a front MacPherson strut and a rear torsion beam, tuned towards comfort. When going over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the small vibrations, preventing significant jolts from being transmitted into the cabin. When navigating curves, the body roll is not severe; the support is sufficient for daily driving, and it does not give a feeling of instability.

Fuel efficiency meets expectations, with an official combined fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km. In this test drive, which included both congested city roads and suburban highways, the actual measured fuel consumption was about 6.2L/100km. For a 1.5L car, this performance is quite good. With a fuel tank capacity of 40L, a full tank can cover approximately 650km, reducing the need for frequent refueling.

The driver-assistance system is one of the highlights. The ACC adaptive cruise control is very useful on highways, automatically following cars and maintaining a safe distance, reducing fatigue during long drives. The lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking systems are also very responsive, providing early warnings or even actively braking when you're too close to the car ahead in urban areas, enhancing driving safety. The car is equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist as standard, making its safety features very comprehensive for its class.

In terms of ride comfort, noise control is well-managed. At city speeds below 60km/h, tire and engine noise are not noticeable. At 100km/h on the highway, wind noise is slightly audible but within an acceptable range and does not affect passenger conversations inside the car. The seat comfort is commendable. The front seats are not too firm and remain comfortable during long drives without causing backache. The rear seats have an appropriate angle and sufficient leg support, ensuring a comfortable experience even on long journeys.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5L RS lies in its balance — the power is sufficient for everyday use, it is fuel-efficient, the space is practical, the safety features are comprehensive, and the RS version’s exterior design is youthful, appealing to younger consumers. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Yaris or Mazda 2, it offers more rear space, better safety features, and a comparable price, making it highly cost-effective.

This car is suitable for two groups of people: first, practical family users, as the rear space and storage capacity can meet daily needs, and the safety features ensure family travel security; second, young professionals who have just started working, as the RS version’s stylish design, adequate power, low fuel consumption, and low maintenance costs are highly appealing.

If you need a balanced, practical hatchback with a touch of sporty styling, the 2024 Honda City Hatchback 1.5L RS would be a great choice. It has no significant drawbacks and can cover most daily usage scenarios.