Launched: 2023 Honda City Facelift – 5 Grades, From RM84,900

The face-lifted fifth-gen Honda City sedan presented by Honda Malaysia earlier today.

Honda Malaysia unwrapped its refreshed fifth generation City sedan offering earlier today. Bookings for the model were opened since last month, and it now sports a host of minor changes all-around. Notably, the range has grown to five grades in total available now with the addition of a new non-hybrid RS guise.

Said new RS trimline now slots in between the flagship RS hybrid and V grade offerings, thus giving Malaysian buyers more choice. On that note, the firm seeks to shift up to 2,400 units of the new City monthly. Apart from which, the range is similar as before featuring entry-level S and E grades below the V and RS premium guises. Like before, the e:HEV RS hybrid remains as the flagship.

1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol (left) and e:HEV hybrid powertrains remains unchanged from before.

Both RS grades benefit with a new 7-inch TFT meter display panel.

Mechanically, things are unchanged on this front, with all petrol-powered grades continuing to harness a familiar 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC 4-cyl mill paired with a CVT automatic box that’s now brimmed with new steering-mounted paddle-shifters. The former churns out 121 PS and 145 NM to drive the front wheels.

The sole hybrid flagship also continues to employ an Atkinson Cycle iteration of the 1.5-litre 4-cyl mill plus a pair of electric motors, both tied to an e-CVT automatic box. Whilst the petrol mill supplies up to 98 PS and 127 NM, the latter electric motors bolsters things with up to 109 PS and 253 NM available.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the latter hybrid stands the most frugal in the range with a claimed average of 3.6 litres/100 KM. As for the petrol-powered iterations, these also boast respectable fuel economy figures with a claimed average of 5.6-litres/100 KM.

The reprofiled front ends sees the RS grades now sitting slightly longer at 4,589 MM.

Exterior changes are mild across the board, but there are redesigned front and rear bumpers, restyled front grille, as well as new 15- and 16-inch wheels. Notably, the reprofiled front and rear ends have also resulted in all variants of the City growing in length slightly to 4,580 MM in S, E and V guises.

RS variants, on the other hand, sees its sporty styling sharpened further with a new RS badging, new honeycomb grille, new side skirts, plus a new faux rear diffuser element. Altogether, the styling tweaks in both these RS variants also see slightly growth in length to 4,589 MM now too.

Both RS variants also see their infotainment units upgraded to feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity now.

Honda Connect (left) is standard aboard both RS, and it's also offered as an option for other variants. Additionally, all variants except the S now see their cabins primed with 8-speaker audio.

On board, changes in the cabin are equally mild too, but there are a number of new features to note. For the two RS variants, these now see their infotainment displays brimmed with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, followed by a new 7-inch TFT meter display panel for drivers, and the inclusion of the Honda Connect feature as standard.

Except of the base S grade, all other variants are now primed with a new 8-speaker audio suite match with a new infotainment display interface, enhanced multi-angle rear camera, not forgetting upgraded USB-C charging ports as well. Notably, Honda Connect is available as an option for all non-RS guises, which is currently offered at a special price of RM1,500 until Jan 2024.

The Honda Sensing ADAS suite is now standard across the board, and it has been upgraded with two new features - Low Speed Follow (LSF) and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN).

On the safety front, the Honda Sensing active driver assist (ADAS) suite is now standard equipment across the board. The suite has been upgraded slightly too with two new functions added - Low Speed Follow (LSF) and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN).

Other existing ADAS features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) can still be found on this facelifted sedan. These come on top of a core passive safety hardware such as six airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, VSA, and ISOFIX childseat anchors, amongst many, across the board too.

Prices for the refreshed Honda City line up.

As for prices, things start from RM84,900 for the base S grade, RM89,900 for the E, RM94,900 for the V, RM99,900 for the new petrol RS, and RM111,900 for the range-topping e:HEV RS hybrid flagship. Included here is a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty, free labour service applicable up to 5 times within 5 years or 100,000 KM, and a separate 8-year, unlimited mileage EV battery warranty for the hybrid flagship.

Check out more images in the extensive gallery prepared below.