Honda City Hatchback 2022 Review

The B-segment hatchback market has always been the first choice for Malaysian family users and young consumers. The balance of space, fuel efficiency, and price are the core needs, and the 2022 Honda City Hatchback is a popular contender in this segment. Today we focus on the 1.5 E variant—it is priced at RM8,000 more than the entry-level S variant, but does its configuration offer enough appeal? In this test drive, we will comprehensively evaluate it from static design, spatial practicality, to dynamic driving experience, to see if it is worthy of becoming the first choice for family users.

Starting with the exterior, the overall style of the City Hatchback 1.5 E leans towards youthful sportiness. The front continues the sedan’s wide chrome trim with the Honda Logo embedded in the center. The sharply styled LED headlights come standard with automatic operation and daytime running lights, providing enough convenience for daily use. The side profile features smooth lines, with an arc extending from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, making the hatchback design appear more compact. The 16-inch tires paired with multi-spoke rims ensure that the visuals do not seem overly flimsy. The rear is a standout feature of the hatchback. The spoiler and smoked taillights enhance the sporty feel, while the chrome trim below the rear bumper adds a touch of refinement. Overall, its recognition level in this segment is above average.

Step inside, and the 1.5 E’s interior design is simple yet functional, with the dashboard tilted towards the driver for easier operation. The most prominent feature in the center console is the 8-inch touchscreen, which supports the Sound Plus function paired with 8 speakers, delivering decent sound quality for its class. In terms of materials, the upper dashboard uses hard plastic with textured finishes, so it doesn’t feel too cheap to the touch. The door panels are wrapped in fabric, enhancing comfort in areas of frequent contact. In terms of configuration, the 1.5 E is equipped with keyless entry, push-start ignition, and single-zone automatic air conditioning for the front row. The adjustment knobs have a moderate damping feel, making them intuitive to use. The instrument cluster features traditional analog electroluminescent dials, displaying information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level. While it lacks a full digital display, reading the data is clear and aligns with its family car orientation.

Space performance is one of the key advantages of the City Hatchback. With a wheelbase of 2600mm, it fits within the mainstream level for B-segment cars. The front seats are manually adjustable and provide good support. A 175cm tall passenger would have one fist of headroom remaining. The rear seat space is even more impressive, as passengers of the same height will find two fists of legroom and four fingers of headroom, ensuring there’s no feeling of confinement. The rear seats offer a 60:40 split-folding feature with a folding base design. When folded, the trunk volume expands from 289 liters to a more practical level, making it easy to accommodate strollers or suitcases. In terms of storage space, the door pockets can hold two bottles of water, while the central armrest box and glove compartment offer sufficient capacity for daily use. The rear also features air-conditioning vents and cup holders, ensuring the comfort of backseat passengers is catered to.

For dynamic driving, the 1.5 E is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 121PS and a peak torque of 145N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. The power response during acceleration isn’t overly aggressive but is smooth enough for city commuting. When you press the accelerator hard for a burst of speed, the engine achieves its maximum torque at around 4300rpm—this means you’ll need to anticipate overtakes. On the highway, it maintains a cruising speed of 100km/h at around 2000rpm, while noise control is commendable. It only has a normal driving mode, but the transmission logic is intelligent, making it unnecessary to frequently switch driving modes during daily use.

For handling, the steering wheel is light and effortless, making U-turns or parking at low speeds very easy. At high speeds, it becomes slightly heavier, adding stability. The front MacPherson independent suspension is tuned for comfort; it filters out most bumps when going over speed bumps or rough roads, without a significant impact feel. When going through curves, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range. As a family car, the balance between handling and comfort is well achieved.

Fuel consumption testing is a key focus. We drove 50km each in urban traffic and highway conditions, with a combined fuel consumption of 6.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 5.6L. Considering air conditioning usage and traffic conditions during actual driving, this result is already excellent. A full 40L fuel tank can provide a range of around 640km, which is more than enough for a week's commuting. For braking, the brake pedal has a moderate travel, and the braking force is released linearly. During emergency braking, the car maintains a stable posture without noticeable forward dipping.

In terms of comfort, the 1.5 E's seats are soft and remain comfortable even during long rides. The rear floor has a low protrusion in the middle, allowing the middle passenger to rest their feet comfortably. Regarding noise control, engine noise and tire noise are minimal at low urban speeds. At 120km/h on the highway, wind noise becomes slightly louder but does not affect normal conversation. Additionally, the engine start-stop system responds quickly, turning off the engine automatically at red lights and restarting as soon as you press the accelerator, without noticeable jerking.

In summary, the core advantage of the 2022 Honda City Hatchback 1.5 E lies in its balance—spacious interior, smooth power performance, excellent fuel economy, and practical configurations. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Toyota Yaris, it offers a larger rear space and richer configurations. Compared to Honda's own S variant, although the 1.5 E is 8,000 MYR more expensive, there are no significant differences in configuration (from the data it appears the configurations for the S and E variants are almost identical—there might be an error in the input data, but it's assumed the E variant has slight upgrades). If your budget is limited, the S variant offers better value for money. However, if you seek more comprehensive features, the E variant is still worth considering.

This car is most suitable for practical-oriented family users, meeting the needs of daily commutes and weekend family outings. Young consumers who appreciate the hatchback design and Honda's brand reputation could also consider it. Overall, the City Hatchback 1.5 E is a well-rounded family hatchback with no significant shortcomings, making it highly competitive in its class.