User Test Drive: Sharp looks and a lot of power - 2021 Honda City RS

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Basic Information About The Car

2021 Honda City RS E: HEV

Time of Visit: 7th April 2021, 2.00pm

Dealer Name: Honda Motoria Sdn Bhd

Dealer Location: 17, Jalan Chain Ferry, Taman Chai Leng, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: RM 105,950 OTR without SST and insurance

Dealer Asking Price: As above

Discount: Nil

Vehicle Delivery Time: Nil

Purpose (Why did you make a visit to the dealer?)

The reason for the test drive is to survey the car for my next upgrade. Being someone who has used a Perodua Axia for close to two years, I feel that an upgrade is needed. So, I decided to contact a highly recommended sales advisor by the name of Mr Eric from Honda Motoria Sdn Bhd to bring it to Penang Island to test drive the City RS. After months of its initial debut in October, the price is finally out in March and deliveries can start to take.

Without wasting any time, I request for a test drive and here is what I honestly think about it.

Exterior 

At first glance, the City RS is not anything like its petrol siblings. Although many people online did say that the latest Honda City looks a little rounded, it is actually quite sharp in person.

Not as elegant as the Almera or stylish as the Vios, the latest City however does look matured compared to its predecessor. Personally, I think it looks like a mini-Accord (no insults intended, it’s a praise actually.)

Moreover, the City RS does look more premium and sportier if compared to its petrol siblings, the dual-tone inch wheels, gloss black spoiler and blue logo make the City RS more futuristic in appearance.

Front Design- Actually it's quite nice isn't it?

Rear Design- Back looks quite good as well

Honda Lanewatch, quite a useful feature compared to traditional BSM systems

Interior

Step inside of the City cabin, and you will be amazed at how much refinement Honda has done to the cabin. Although some may say that the GM6 has a better design which I can agree with some of you to a certain level, however the more time one has spent in both the GN2/3 and GM6, you would prefer the former’s interior. Honda also makes an effort to include soft-touch materials which is a step-up from its predecessor. Moreover, its steering wheel feels grippier and overall, it feels more eager to drive than before. Also, the speedometer on the RS spec City does look more premium and technical if compared to the petrol variants.

On its interior space, as expected of a Honda, it is massive especially for rear passengers as both head-room and leg-room is still best in class. What makes it better is that it has rear-aircon vents which really helps especially in Malaysia’s humid weather. Being a hybrid model, it does have vents on the rear seats to help cool the battery if needed.

By the way, it was raining during the test drive session and I have to admit it feels really insulated and quiet even when it was raining cats and dogs.  

In terms of boot space, it is slightly smaller than the petrol variants (519l boot space) as it has to accommodate its battery package but I suspect most people would not mind it. However, the lack of spare tire could be a deal-breaker for some.

Steering Wheel

Front interior

Rear interior

Boot Space- 409 Liters Approx

Summary

Pros

• A very powerful engine, being powered by the I-MMD system, it feels more powerful than its rivals.
• Fuel-Efficient as expected as it is a Hybrid
• Fun to drive and sharp handling
• Sharp Design
• Very stable if compared to its petrol variants as battery may have weigh down the rear
• Honda Sensing
• City RS is the only car in its class to include Adaptive Cruise Control
• Auto Brake Hold can be convenient especially in town
• Rear Air-Con vents helps in Malaysian weather
• Lanewatch camera provides better support than BSM systems

Cons

• Pricey if not studied correctly
• Boot space a bit compromised due to its battery package
• No spare tire can be a deal-breaker for some
• Reverse Camera Quality is a bit poor

My overall feelings toward the car

Overall, I think that Honda has made lots of effort in refining the City especially in terms of NVH. Moreover, handling and suspension is also a step-up from its predecessor.

For this version of the Honda City, the City RS E: HEV, despite its price premium over the regular versions, I would say it's worth it if one can afford the price tag. Besides, it does have lots of significant upgrades from the petrol variants such as Honda Sensing, Electronic Parking Brake, Auto-hold function, and a nicer looking exterior and interior design due to its dual-tone rims, gloss black spoiler, red stitching and nicer looking speedometer.

In conclusion, if one can afford any variants of the Honda City, just go for the RS as it comes with a powerful yet efficient hybrid engine, and also excellent safety features. If one still worries about the hybrid cost, go for the regular variants. However, if one cannot accept safety features of the petrol variants, then the Vios and Almera could be worthy alternatives.

After test driving it not only once but twice, I would say it's time to get rid of the stigma of Hybrid vehicles as hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient and are not as underpowered as some would claim. In the era of electrification, Malaysians are still impressed by Turbos while the world has moved onto hybrid and electric cars. I do believe that it is the time for the Malaysian government to promote greener and safer vehicles for the public and Malaysians to be more open-minded to change. By the way, before some of you start typing on the comment section as I can hear some of you clicking the keyboard, please do not start on low RV, high maintenance cost or battery replacement worries as the City RS has actually an almost similar maintenance cost of the regular petrol and although RV for Hybrid cars are still slightly worse than ICEs but the difference is not really that much these days and also battery replacement costs can be covered by an 8-year warranty.

That is my two cents. Peace

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