2020 All-New Honda City Launched In Malaysia – From  RM76,800, RS Variant Only Comes In January

After much teasing, and all the hype that usually surrounds Honda’s top-selling model in recent time – Honda Malaysia has today launched the fifth-generation (5th-Gen) Honda City for the Malaysian market.

According to Honda, this new model raises the stakes for the City model and blurs the lines between the traditional B-Segment and premium-segment vehicles, courtesy of an advanced drivetrain, safety, and equipment technologies.

Speaking at the launch, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “The City has a long-standing history in Malaysia. We introduced the 2nd Generation and 3rd Generation in 2002 and 2008 respectively and both were well-received in the market. The popularity of the City continued with the 4th Generation City launched in 2014 when the model proved its success and desirability with features that are above its class. It became the best-selling model in Honda Malaysia and was leading the B-segment for 5 consecutive years with over 209,000 units sold.”

Honda has announced four variants of the City in total, inclusive of the topmost City RS e:HEV, however, those interested in the City RS will have to wait a bit longer as deliveries of that variant is only set to begin in 2021, therefore prices will be announced at a later date.

The other three variants are priced as follows:

• Grade S: RM76,800 (RM74,191.27 with SST Exemption)
• Grade E: RM84,800 (RM81,664.82 with SST Exemption)
• Grade V: RM89,800 (RM86,561.45 with SST Exemption)
• RS e:HEV: TBA

(Prices are OTR without Insurance)

Building on the success and familiar traits of the outgoing model – the 5th-Gen Honda City is now longer by 111mm (4,553mm), wider by 54mm (1,748mm), and 10mm lower (at 1,467mm) compared to the predecessor – contributing to an overall growth in stature and crucially, cabin space for occupants.

For the first time ever – the City is also offered with two entirely different powertrains across its range. The more familiar Grade S, E, and V are powered by a new 1.5L DOHC (previously single-cam SOHC) i-VTEC powertrain, which produces a healthy 121PS of power and maximum torque of 145Nm. The engine is mated to a CVT-Type automatic transmission.

The halo RS e:HEV variant is powered by Honda’s cutting-edge intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain which combines an internal combustion (IC) engine with two electric motors, and a high-power Lithium-Ion battery pack.

Unlike traditional hybrids, the i-MMD system allows the City RS to be predominantly driven using just one, both the electric motors and a combination of the motors and the IC engine to seamlessly power the car. In certain situations, the IC engine can also be called on to drive the vehicle independently of the electrical motors. The i-MMD does this courtesy of an Intelligent Power Unit (IPU), the system can seamlessly regulate between the three driving modes of EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive in the most efficient way.

The i-MMD powertrain also does not require a traditional gearbox, instead used an e-CVT transmission unit to deliver 108PS and a best-in-class peak torque of 253Nm – equivalent to that of turbocharged cars with the same capacity – to the front wheels.

In short, Honda’s i-MMD systems stops just short of witchcraft; but here’s a more detailed article for you to geek out on. Also, if you would like to know why torque is so essential to speed, click here.

Further highlight features of the City RS e:HEV model includes Honda LaneWatch system (also featured on the Grade V variant) which features a camera mounted to the passenger side wing mirror to alert the driver of vehicles in the car’s blindspot. The RS e:HEV also gains a segment-first Electric Parking Brake (EPB).

For the first time as well, the City RS e:HEV will be offered with a complete suite of Honda Sensing advanced safety features. The full suite of technologies are as follows:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Auto High Beam (AHB)

As for the equipment highlights of each model, refer to the image below:

The 2020 Honda City comes with five attractive colours for the Grade S, E, and V variants, Passion Red Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and a brand-new colour, Platinum White Pearl.

The RS variants though is only offered with the Passion Red, Platinum White, and Modern Steel colours.

As in commonplace for Honda models, the City is offered with a 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty, inclusive of 5 free labour service (within 100,000km/ 5 years). The Lithium-Ion battery in the City RS variant is protected by an 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty respectively.  

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