The facelifted Honda City has finally landed in Malaysia. The refreshed B-segment sedan goes on sale with a fresh new look, as well as a higher level of standard equipment. With the added kit offered on the base model, the range has been streamlined to just three variants, with the S+ model dropped for 2017.


The entry-level 1.5 S priced at RM 78,300, RM 2,200 more expensive than the outgoing model, although it now offers a much higher level of standard equipment. Prices for the mid-spec 1.5 E and range-topping 1.5 V are unchanged at RM 84,600, and RM 92,000 respectively. All prices are on-the-road inclusive of insurance and a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

The City has received a fairly significant remodelling, including redesigned headlights – now LED units on the top-spec V variant – with a different shape. The chrome bar, which now extends over the headlights Civic-style, is also slimmer than before, while the grille features a honeycomb mesh and a chrome strip. The front bumper has also been given a more elegant design.


At the rear, there’s a sportier rear bumper design; the V model gains LED tail lights as seen on the Japanese-market Grace Hybrid, along with a ducktail spoiler with an integrated LED third brake light. Finishing it off are new two-tone alloy wheels, measuring 15 inches on the S (replacing the previous steel wheels) and E, and 16 inches on the V. The new hero colour, Lunar Silver Metallic, is from the Civic.

Inside, changes are limited to gunmetal interior trim and separate rear smartphone pockets on the E and V models. The advanced multi-info instrument cluster – now standard on all variants – also gains white backlighting instead of blue for improved legibility and a more premium look.


The integrated seven-inch touchscreen Display Audio infotainment system on the V variant has also given way to a discrete double-DIN 6.8-inch touchscreen head unit, with physical buttons instead of touch controls – this is now also fitted on the E variant as well. Finally, the mid- and top-spec variants receive a multi-angle reverse camera, which was curiously omitted from the previous model.

There are other changes in terms of kit, too – the base S variant now comes standard with LED daytime running lights, a shark fin antenna, keyless entry, push-button start, automatic power-retracting door mirrors, an advanced multi-info display, an integrated CD/radio head unit with Bluetooth connectivity, a multifunction steering wheel and a 60:40 split-folding rear bench.


The mid-spec E variant gains the aforementioned touchscreen system, a HDMI port, touch-panel auto air-con, cruise control and paddle shifters, the latter being new to the City in Malaysia. As before, it also receives door mirror-mounted indicators and front and rear armrests. The top-spec V tacks on LED front fog lights, new leather upholstery, a soft-touch dash pad and eight speakers.

Safety-wise, all models now get stability control, hill-start assist and an emergency stop signal in addition to the existing two airbags and ABS with EBD and brake assist. The E variant now receives side airbags, bumping the airbag count up to four; the V variant adds curtain airbags, making it six in total.


Mechanicals remain unchanged, with a 1.5 litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine soldiering on, producing 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,600 rpm. An Earth Dreams continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a torque converter is still the sole transmission option.

Cr. : Paultan