Honda City Review

Nowadays, Malaysia's B-segment sedan market is highly competitive. Consumers not only pursue practicality for daily commuting but also value safety features and cost-effectiveness. The 2023 Honda City 1.5 S, as the entry-level model in the lineup, maintains an affordable price of RM 84,900 while being equipped with a rare L2 level driving assist system and six airbags. This has sparked curiosity among budget-conscious families: can it balance basic needs with an exceptional experience? This test will focus on its static design, space practicality, dynamic driving, and fuel consumption performance to verify whether its "entry-level without compromise" position lives up to its name.

From the exterior, the 2023 City 1.5 S maintains the youthful design language of the lineup. The front features Honda's signature chrome strip design, which extends across both halogen headlights, enhancing the visual width. The black air intake grille below the front bumper adds a touch of sportiness, though it lacks fog lights, consistent with its entry-level positioning. The car's side profile has smooth lines, with a length of 4,580mm and a wheelbase of 2,600mm, which are mainstream for the B-segment. Paired with 185/60 R15 tires, the overall proportions are well-balanced. The LED tail lights at the rear are designed in a C-shape, providing high recognition at night, and the small spoiler on the trunk lid enhances the details' quality.

Entering the cabin, the interior features a black color scheme, and the center console is covered with soft-touch plastic materials, which feel decent. The steering wheel has a three-spoke design, with the left side integrating controls for ACC adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, which are convenient to operate. The right side is equipped with paddle shifters, adding a touch of driving fun to everyday use. The seats are manually adjustable, with firm padding but sufficient support, ensuring comfort for extended periods. The rear seat space is excellent: a passenger with a height of 175cm sitting in the back will have about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, which completely meets family needs. In terms of storage, the central armrest box in the front row and the door storage compartments provide ample space. The rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and a 220V power outlet, enhancing practicality. The trunk has a capacity of 519 liters, easily accommodating four 20-inch suitcases, and supports a 60:40 split-folding capability to further expand storage capacity.

In terms of dynamic driving, the 2023 City 1.5 S is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 121PS and peak torque, paired with a CVT transmission. The power response during take-off is relatively smooth, but when pressing the accelerator hard, the engine speed rises quickly. The mid-to-high range acceleration is adequate, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 10.2 seconds, meeting the needs of daily overtaking. The CVT transmission shifts seamlessly with almost no noticeable jerks. However, there is a slight delay in revving up during rapid acceleration. The steering wheel offers moderate resistance and precise control, combined with the front MacPherson independent suspension, ensuring good body roll control during cornering and decent stability. The suspension setup leans toward comfort, effectively filtering out most bumps when navigating speed bumps or potholes. However, on continuous gravel roads, mild vibrations can still be felt in the rear seats.

The fuel consumption performance meets expectations. This test covered urban congested roads and highway cruising, with the air conditioning running throughout, and the overall measured fuel consumption was 6.1L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 5.6L/100km. Taking actual road conditions into account, this result is still commendable. In terms of noise control, the cabin remains relatively quiet at speeds below 60km/h, but wind and tire noise becomes noticeable as the speed exceeds 80km/h; however, normal conversation is not significantly affected. In terms of safety features, in addition to the six airbags, the lane departure warning and forward collision warning systems are highly responsive and can effectively enhance driving safety.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2023 Honda City 1.5 S lies in its "balance": at an entry-level price, it offers advanced safety features and spacious interiors beyond its class, while its performance in terms of power and fuel efficiency can also meet the daily needs of family users. Compared to competitors in the same class, features like ACC adaptive cruise control and seatbelt reminders for all seats are highlights, but entry-level characteristics such as halogen headlights and manual air conditioning are also evident.

This car is most suitable for families with a budget of RM 80,000 to RM 90,000, who prioritize practicality and safety—whether it's for daily school runs, short weekend trips, or long highway cruising, it can handle these with ease. For consumers seeking ultimate configurations or sports performance, the higher-end V or RS versions might be more appropriate. However, for most users with fundamental needs, the City 1.5 S is undoubtedly one of the best choices in the B-segment market in terms of "value for money" and "practicality."