Owner Review: The car with no competitors for me - My 2021 Honda City 1.5L RS E:HEV​

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Basic information about my car:

2021 Honda City 1.5L RS E:HEV

Reasons why I bought this car(purpose):

I was searching for technology equipped car when choosing a new car (I try to avoid low spec car as I could have buy a higher segment used car without new technology)

After much comparison, I found the Honda City RS is the only car at this price range that comes with a full ADAS system (Include Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist) and Apple Carplay/Android Auto phone connection system. So for me, this car has no competitor. (Now the City V Spec has equipped with ADAS system too, well I will still choose the hybrid as car electrification is the future. )

Car selection process

I have a budget of: RM 100K

Models that I have considered: Toyota Vios, Nissan Almera, Proton X50 

User Experience

• I have done: 4,000 km
• My average fuel consumption is about: 24 km/l

Coming from a 2010 Toyota Vios, this is the first hybrid car I ever experienced. While waiting for the electric car market to mature in the country, hybrid cars could be a great transition as it eliminates range anxiety, while saving petrol at the same time. 

The first impression when I drive the City RS is how quiet it is compared to the Vios. The engine is not working whenever the battery is full, plus the good insulation, as if I am sitting in a high end car. My previous Vios has aged quite well, however there are vibrations here and there especially in idling. 

The second impression is how good the electric motor kicks in from 0rpm, producing 253nm torque instantly. Compared to the CVT transmission in Vios, it was a smooth and slow climb to reach the desired speed. 

The third impression is how good the Apple Carplay is! No longer do I have to keep changing my plastic phone holder every now and then due to the broken arm or glue not sticking anymore. Just enter the car, plug in my phone, and Google map will be displayed on the 8 inch touchscreen. It is even better, especially when I only own a 4.7 inch phone, looking at a bigger screen means I never miss a turn anymore! (ps: the direction message will be announced from the car speaker instead of the phone, super loud and clear)

Most importantly is how fuel saving it is, coming from a Vios (already considered a fuel saving car) and I am still shocked how the City RS drives up to 800-900km in one tank with only 40 litres (ps: some owners can even reach over 1000km, crazy!)

Pros and Cons

Pros of my car

Exterior

-Mainly aesthetic parts, but it saves my time for modding the car. Equipped with trunk spoiler, blackout front solid wing, dual tone alloy wheel, gloss black side mirror, sportier looking honeycomb grill, carbon fiber pattern on the bodykit and rear diffuser. 

-Auto LED Headlamp and Highbeam features- Never forget to switch on lights coming up from underground car park at night, and save the hassle of adjusting high/low beam in total blackout road. 

-Day time running light (DRL) is great for others to notice me whenever I am entering a tunnel or shaded area. 

-Keyless entry is better executed compared to its rivals. Hand sensor when opening the door, and the walk away lock is so good. I can just keep my car keys inside my bag or pocket all the time. It is more convenient when I am with a handful of things, the car will just lock itself when I walk away for a certain distance. 

-Thinner A-pillar and lower position wing mirror (located at the door) increase visibility  

-4 disc brakes compared to V spec only 2 at the front tyres

Interior

-Some might say the dashboard design is boring, but for me the uncluttered design (unlike its predecessor) is simple and minimal to look at. 

-Blackout roof lining is more sporty looking (Although some may say it looks cramp inside)

-Black leather is easier for future maintenance

-Side door compartment is large to keep my bottle

-Digital instrument cluster showing all the car information, easier for adjusting the setting

-The half alcantara or suede seats is not hot to sit after parking under the sun, and hold my body better as it has higher friction compared to leather

-Telescoping steering is good for adjusting my optimum driving position

-Steering wheel is good looking and thick to hold, with multifunctional button control

-Contrast red stitching everywhere to add on the sporty look

-Sport pedal is a bonus addition 

-60:40 seat reclinement is flexible whenever I have the need to load large item

-Good rear seat legroom, and small pocket for phone and compartment for stuff behind front seat

-Sitting position not too low unlike Honda Civic, easier to get in and out. 

-Rear aircon vent is good for hot weather whenever I am fetching my family members

-Apple Car Play is so convenient. Unlike the Mirrorlink feature on some of its rivals, Apple Carplay allows my phone to switch off the screen while charging all the time. Spotify will automatically play from my latest playlist and it sounds crisp and loud coming through the 8 speakers. It can even read Whatsapp messages while I am driving! 

-The matte screen is clear and bright enough to look under hot sun. Glad that Honda retained all the important physical buttons, so I can operate them easily while driving. 

-Slightly more sound insulation component compared to V spec. 

Driving

-Quiet cabin without engine sound at low speed. The car produces electric ‘humming’ sound to alert the pedestrian

-Suspension is fairly comfortable over humps and bumpy road 

-Normal cruising is comfortable, the EV mode and Hybrid mode switch intelligently, hardly noticeable

-Accelerate smoothly and pick up with instant torque, no lag compared to a turbo car. 

-Without CVT, there is no jerking when downshift, everything is super smooth with E-CVT

-Heavier hybrid battery at the back gives a more balance weight distribution of front and back, slightly better handling feel 

-Electronic parking brake and auto hold is convenient when I stop at traffic light, no longer have to press on brake pedal for long time 

-ADAS system is great for long distance cruising. Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist will keep me at ease at highway drive. 

-Deceleration pedal at the steering is for regenerative braking, super useful to slow down the vehicle without pressing the brake, and recharge the hybrid battery by using engine braking force (save fuel and save brake pad at the same time!) I use it while making a turn, going through a bump, slowing down at the traffic light and toll. 

-If you wish to have strong regenerative braking constantly, you can put on B gear and set to highest braking level (or adjust to your comfortable level)

-CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System) is great to autonomously break the car whenever I am losing attention to the front vehicle. 

-Honda Lanewatch is great. Whenever the rain covered the side mirror, I could still see the side vehicle. 

Cons

Exterior

-Wish the inside of the wheel wells to have black coating like the Vios and X50, less exposed and pleasing to the eyes. (Perhaps will reduce tyre noise too)

-Passenger side doors hardly shut, and you have to use a little hard force to close. 

-Piano black material solid wing and trunk spoiler need extra care, easy to scratch.

-No auto fold side mirrors compared to its predecessor. 

Interior

-Wish they could replace all the piano black material with matte surface as they are easily scratched and attract fingerprints.

-The screen position could be higher to match the driver’s eye level

-Slightly less boot space compared to V spec to accommodate the hybrid battery 

-No spare tyre (but provided tyre air pressure device)

-The rear center armrest could be higher to rest arm comfortably 

-The rear battery circulation vent takes up some space if the back is packed up with 3 adults, making it uncomfortable to rest on. 

-Wish there are wireless Apple Carplay and wireless phone charging 

-No auto updown for 4 mirrors (only 1 for driver side)

-Start hearing the steering knocking sound when turning at low speed (especially during parking) Might be due to steering rack issue. 

Driving

-Bodyroll is noticeable when taking corner in higher speed 

-Engine sound is quite rough when acceleration hard

-Adaptive Cruise Control has no Stop and Go function (only until 30km/h) and Lane Keep Assist only works above 72km/h 

-When the gear is in B mode (regenerative braking mode), ACC is unable to activate

-Econ mode does not really help much in saving fuel, most importantly is how you control the pedal 

-No front sensors, Blindspot Monitoring, RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert), 360 degree surround camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Auto Wiper

-Will be great if DVR camera is provided as standard (like Toyota Vios) 

-Relatively thinner tyre (compared to its rivals) making high speed travel (above 150km/h) a little unstable 

-Honda Lanewatch and reverse parking camera is low resolution 

-Honda Connect still not reliable and slow to operate (hope it can improve through software updates) 

Total Score: 4

Performance: 5

Quality & Features: 4

Space: 5

Ride comfort: 4

Fuel Economy: 5

Price & cost: 4

Summary:

Overall I still love my car, with its great fuel consumption, instant power delivery in low speed, conveniently navigate in Google Map and play music through Spotify via Apple Carplay, and protects me with the ADAS safety system (although I must still alert to the road condition) For those who said petrol car is more reliable than hybrid or electric car, it’s like saying Nokia 3310 is more reliable than Iphone. It is just a matter of early or late adopter to the current world trend and shift to new car technology.

Interesting events 

There was once after I parked my car, the car alarm beep and I thought I didn’t shut the door properly. After I checked, I actually forgot to switch off the engine! Prove how quiet a hybrid car is whenever the engine is not needed. 

I once got into a car accident (resulting in total loss of the car) as I was falling asleep during the journey back home after burning midnight oil doing an assignment at the campus. Although I survived it, I told myself the first car I buy must have an ADAS system. Yes the Honda City RS is RM 20k more expensive than the V spec, but if only it can save you once from an accident, your life is worth way more than RM 20k.  

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