When the latest 11th generation Honda Civic was launched in January, we asked Honda Malaysia about the possibility of a hybrid version also being available. At that time, it was already known that the latest generation did have a hybrid variant (which Honda refers to as e:HEV) that was to be sold in Europe with a hatchback bodystyle. Honda Malaysia said they ‘would consider it’ as a future addition then…
10 months later, the Civic e:HEV is about to be launched and it’s clear that the company must have already been working on it and not just ‘considering it’ because it takes time to plan for local assembly at the Melaka plant. And now that the launch will take place soon, Honda Malaysia has offered us a chance to get first impressions of the new model.
Our drive took place at the Sepang International Circuit with the same condition that we can tell you about the exterior and the driving impressions and the e:HEV technology, but not what the interior is like (for now).
The locally-assembled Honda City Hybrid (model year 2021) and Civic Sedan (model year 2022) are being recalled by Honda Malaysia to rectify two issues. While these issues have not caused any injuries or accidents, the company is being proactive as a precautionary safety measure.
Honda Malaysia apologises for the inconvenience caused to owners of the affected and reassures that other current production and selling models are not affected in this product recall. The company believes this product recall is necessary as customer safety is Honda Malaysia’s top priority.
Honda Malaysia has begun delivering the new Honda HR-V and the first customer to receive the new crossover SUV was Nurul Hafida binti Mohd Jais. Cik Nurul Hafida received her new vehicle at MJN Motors Sdn. Bhd. in Cheras, Selangor, where she had booked the RS e:HEV version with a red finish.
As the first HR-V owner in Malaysia, she received some extras as token of appreciation from Honda Malaysia. These were Honda Authorized Accessories, Ultra Glass Body Coating and Honda official merchandise valued at RM5,700.
Explaining the reasons why she chose the new Honda, Cik Nurul Hafida said: “I did my research even before the official launch of the All-New HR-V in Malaysia. The exterior styling and looks caught my attention and that’s when I decided to book the model the moment it was opened for booking. I have been anticipating the delivery of my new car and was pleasantly surprised when I found out that I was the first customer to receive the car!”
“What’s even more exciting is the additional surprise of receiving gifts from Honda! I am looking forward to taking my family out and about on my new ride,” she added.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura, said: “The response we have received for the All-New HR-V has been overwhelming and we believe this new model will be sensational once again as it did in the past. Today, we are excited to deliver the All-New HR-V to the first owner, Cik Nurul Hafida. In addition to this momentous occasion, Honda Malaysia will deliver over 1,300 units of the All-New HR-V within one month of its launch. We would like to take this opportunity to convey our sincere gratitude to all our customers for their continuous support to the Honda brand.”
Demand for the new HR-V is high, according to Wan Hazmi bin Dato’ Wan Mustafa, owner of MJN Motors Sdn. Bhd. “We are so honoured to be the dealer to deliver the first HR-V to our beloved customer! We are committed to continue providing our customers with excellent service in all aspects,” he said.
The new HR-V is available with a choice of three 1.5-litre powertrains. The RS version has the e:HEV system with Honda’s unique 2-motor hybrid system which generates 131 ps/253 Nm and the other two are a VTEC turbocharged engine (181 ps/240 Nm) and a naturally-aspirated i-VTEC engine (121 ps/145 Nm).
For this second generation, a more modern feel is evident and features available (depending on version) include leather upholstery, sports pedals, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with an Air Diffusion System, and a Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walkaway Close function. Honda SENSING, the suite of active safety systems, is standard across the range.
For more information on the latest HR-V or any Honda models, visit any of the 102 authorized Honda dealerships nationwide or www.honda.com.my.
Honda Malaysia’s popular SUV, the Honda CR-V, is now available with two new colour options. The colours Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colour. The two colours replace the Passion Red Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic choices.
The total number of exterior colour choices therefore remains at six, the other four being Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Dark Olive Metallic.
Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic are not new to the Honda range in Malaysia as they are already offered for the City, City Hatchback, Civic, BR-V and latest HR-V. The Accord is also available with the Meteoroid Gray Metallic colour.
According to Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura, both colours have been popular. The Ignite Red Metallic colour was chosen by an average of 18% of buyers of each of the five models, while the Meteoroid Gray Metallic colour was the choice of 24% on average.
The new HR-V (above) and Accord (below) are also available in Meteoroid Gray Metallic.
“With the CR-V as the latest model to receive both colour options, we have completed the expansion of the Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colours into the full Honda line-up. We are confident that both new colours will further accentuate the appearance of the CR-V for customers who seek an SUV with a bolder and modern exterior,” said Mr. Yoshimura.
Since its launch in 2017, the 5th Generation CR-V has recorded an outstanding sales record with more than 63,000 units sold. Of this total volume, more than 27,000 units were of the facelifted model which was launched in November 2020. This year, the CR-V has contributed 12% to the brand’s total sales volume from January to July 2022.
The CR-V is powered by a proven 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged engine which produces 193 ps/243 Nm. The power goes to the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on the version. Besides the comprehensive list of standard safety features, the CR-V is equipped with Honda SENSING, a suite of 8 active safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents or reduce the effects of an accident.
The CR-V is available in 4 versions – 2.0 2WD, 1.5TC-P 2WD, Black Edition and 1.5TC- 4WD, with prices ranging from RM146,900 to RM171,400 (excluding insurance, Peninsular Malaysia registration).
For more information on the CR-V or other Honda models in Malaysia, visit any of the 102 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide or www.honda.com.my.
New Honda models almost always grab a lot of attention and the interest shown by the public actually translates into strong sales that remain constantly high. The HR-V is one such example; even from the time before the first generation was officially launched in Malaysia, it already drew crowds wherever it was displayed. And when it finally arrived in showrooms, even more orders flooded in and placed the crossover SUV in a leadership position in its segment.
After putting around 111,000 units on the road in 7½ years, it’s now time for a new generation and again, there has been the same strong interest that the first generation had. Prior to the launch today, one unit was sent around the country for exclusive previews at selected showrooms and drew a lot of potential customers.
Bookings were accepted from June 9 and with the sales tax exemption set to expire at the end of the month, many did not want to miss the opportunity to save money so they made their bookings right away. By today, Honda Malaysia has received more than 20,000 orders – more than 12 times the monthly sale target the company has set. As such, the waiting period will stretch to at least 12 months!
It’s been a while since a Honda model has had such a long waiting period, the last one in memory being the Accord back in the 1980s. However, the company is uncertain of the actual number that will be taken because there may be cancellations so it can only get an idea of the real demand after the July numbers are reviewed. Those who did book before June 30 will be entitled to the sales tax exemption and save money but for those who do want to get one, the following are the retail prices:
With the success of the first generation, coming up with the next generation must have proved to be a challenge. While maintaining the profile with a coupe-like fastback, the designers took the opportunity to use this generation change to also start introducing a new design language which is a total departure from the previous ‘wing’ theme.
The front appearance is bolder with a new and dominating grille design. As it is a big visual change, some may like it and some may not. But lack of enthusiasm for the new look is likely to fade away in time as it becomes more familiar. It is often the case that there are some designs which are not so well received when a new model is launched but eventually, the negative views diminish. In fact, a designer once said that he would be worried if a new design generated too much excitement at the start because there was a danger it could also become dated quickly. He preferred designs to ‘mature’ and gradually become more accepted amd appreciated over time.
New exterior features include front LED Sequential Turn Signals (the signals ‘move’ as the illuminate), and a full-width LED Taillight Strip which adds a visual signature visible from a distance. Other key exterior features include new LED headlights with DRLs, LED foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Sizewise, the new HR-V measures 4385 mm in length, which is 39 mm longer than its predecessor. The 1790 mm width is similar to the previous RS version, while the roof is 15 mm closer to the road so the profile is more low-slung. The contemporary, uncluttered form has a crisp horizontal shoulderline running from the rear light cluster to the front headlights, generating a sense of forward momentum.
This time round, Honda Malaysia is offering a choice of three powertrains in four variants. There is no longer a 1.8-litre engine and all the powertrains have a 1.5-litre displacement. At the lower end is the HR-V 1.5S which has a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine producing 121 ps/145 Nm. The other two variants – the E and V – have the widely used 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine (shown below right) which produces up to 181 ps/240 Nm. The S, E and V variants all use a CVT delivering power to the front wheels.
The top variant, as before, is the HR-V RS which has e:HEV technology with the intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. Already available in the City RS, this 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain with 2 motors (above left) generates 131 ps with an impressive 253 Nm of torque. From our experience with its in the City RS, it not only delivers strong performance but can also be very economical because it can run on just the electric motor for short distances, meaning no petrol is used at all. And as the battery pack recharges while driving, the e:HEV approach is the best one for Malaysia at this time, rather than moving to full electric vehicles so quickly.
Honda e:HEV powertrain
Compared to the e:HEV powertrain in the City RS, the one in the new HR-V has received improvements to increase performance. The battery pack in the Intelligent Power Unit has 60 cells, 25% more than the one in the City RS, so storage capacity is greater. The system also generates 20% more power and the CVT has a lower ratio, probably to suit the higher weight of the HR-V.
The chassis is the same as before with MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam at the rear, a common layout in many of today’s vehicles. Feedback from customers identified certain areas that needed improving in the vehicle dynamics. The improvements have been achieved by small engineering revisions in the suspension, body architecture and electric power steering. Adding reinforcements in some areas has contributed to better rigidity.
The torsional rigidity and spring rate of the steering column has also been increased by 15%, affording a smoother feel during direction changes. Initial corner turn-in is more direct when compared to the previous HR-V, and the overall feel during manoeuvres is much more linear and precise.
At the rear, the compliance bushes have been modified in both construction and design to improve rear wheel control and ride comfort. The liquid-filled bushes have increased damping performance and good low-frequency performance providing excellent primary ride, whilst absorbing certain frequency vibrations to improve secondary ride. In revising the bush design, a flange has been added to reduce lateral movement across the bush.
Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) are what the passengers constantly experience and making them as low as possible makes a big difference to not just comfort but also the perception of quality. To lower NVH, the engineers focussed on two areas – engine acceleration and road noise. They didn’t just mask the noise and vibrations by using more insulation but also made changes to certain parts or added reinforcements so that the frequencies would become less disturbing.
Contributing to reducing accidents, Honda Malaysia has made Honda SENSING standard in every variant. This suite consists of 9 active safety systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control, and they rely on a camera positioned at the top of the windscreen. The omission of a radar helps to lower cost and to ensure that the camera alone is enough, it has been given a wide forward view (about 100 degrees left to right) and the image processing software is also more advanced for enhanced recognition capability.
The system can identify other vehicles, people and also lane markings as well as gravel and grass edges. The latter is important for the Lane Keeping function which limits the vehicle from drifting out of its lane. On long distances, this feature can help reduce fatigue as the driver does not have to make minor corrections to the steering to stay in the lane.
When driving on slopes, there are also systems that will help the driver. Hill Descent Control, when activated, will manage the speed safely downhill so all the driver has to do is steer to avoid obstacles. There is also an AUTO HOLD function to keep the vehicle motionless on a slope without having to keep the foot on the brake. This is now possible with the electrically-operated parking brake.
Honda LANEWATCH, the innovative camera-based blindspot monitor, is fitted to the V and RS variants. This system shows real-time images of the left side of the vehicle, allowing the driver to spot if there is a motorcyclist or other vehicle coming up. The image is shown on the centre panel and comes on whenever the left signal light is activated.
The compact dimensions of the HR-V allow for only two rows of seats but the legroom is generous, with rear passengers getting 35 mm more space. This is helped by having the fuel tank situated under the centre (an idea which originated with the first Jazz). Like the City Hatchback, the HR-V cabin can be configured in three layout modes – Utility, Long and Tall. In the Long mode, there is a floor length of up to 1.9 metres when the rear backrests are folded down. Along with the high ceiling, this allows for 2 mountain bikes (with front wheels removed) to be stored on board. The Tall mode allows tall items (like plants) to be carried as the floor to ceiling height is maximised by folding the rear seats up. The idea has been used in some Honda models for around 20 years, since it first appeared in the Jazz.
For those who own the RS variant, loading cargo is even more convenient with the handsfree feature that opens the rear door automatically. Just placing a foot under the rear bumper unlocks and raises it and even better, it will close by itself too when the owner has gone further than 2 metres away.
The dashboard has the same clean design with a combination of touch and physical controls. It’s clear now that touch controls are not necessarily ideal for every function so the interior designers have provided rotary controls and pushbuttons for the air-conditioner and ventilation system. These can be operated without having to look, unlike touch controls where you have to look and then focus on an icon – which is not so good for driving safety.
Talking of air-conditioning, besides having two zones so the front passenger and driver can set their preferred temperatures, there is also an Air Diffusion System which is a first for Honda. This introduces a new concept of air conditioning, with L-shaped vents positioned in the top corners of the dashboard that deliver the restorative effects of a natural breeze to all occupants.
The idea was born from the concept of designing light and wind to improve passenger comfort, with nature as inspiration. The new ventilation approach resolves a disparity in traditional vent configurations, where passengers often feel uncomfortable with air blowing directly onto them. When activated by turning a dial, the Air Diffusion System creates a new gentle flow of air which discreetly flows like a soft breeze along the side windows.
The air also travels to the roof, creating a gentle vortex of air that is barely perceptible to passengers. We’re not sure if the breeze will reach the back but the rear passengers will also be comfortable as there are vents closer to them behind the centre console.
Being a Honda, the equipment list can be expected to be extensive with many features thoughtfully included. The infotainment system has Android Auto and Apple Carplay which expands its useability to include apps from smartphones (like Waze and Spotify) while there are 4 USB ports for recharging devices. The driver of the V and RS variants gets 8-way adjustment on their seats and those in the V variant also have paddle shifters. All variants have pushbutton start/stop and also auto locking when walking away (with the engine off).
Except for the S variant, all the other three HR-Vs can be started from a distance with the Remote Start. In movies, such a feature would be used as a precaution in case there’s a bomb under the car (set to go off when the engine starts) but in real life, Remote Start is useful for starting the engine so the air-conditioner can run and cool down the cabin.
For those who like the extra class that leather gives, this is standard for the upholstery in the V and RS variants. For the other two variants, fabric upholstery is provided. Throughout the cabin though, there are many areas where the panels have soft padding for a more premium feel.
Honda CONNECT, a telematics system that provides safety, security and convenience, is provided with the E, V and RS variants. This system can track the vehicle’s position so it can be located if stolen and owners can also set ‘geo-fencing’ so they will be alerted if the vehicle moves out of a designated zone. In the event of a severe collision, an automatic notification will be sent out so that help can be quickly sent. Honda CONNECT also allows the owner to check on the condition of the battery and fuel level without being inside the vehicle, and there will be reminders when routine maintenance is due.
As with other Honda models, there is also the option of adding genuine accessories to personalize the HR-V. Honda Malaysia offers 5 packages with different themes, with prices ranging from RM1,106 to RM3,780. As the cost of these packages would be included in the total price of the vehicle, they would also be part of the financing plan.
The new HR-V is now at Honda dealerships nationwide and if you want to view or test-drive on, locate the nearest showroom at www.honda.com.my.
Some people may regard vehicle recalls to fix manufacturing defects in a negative way, perceiving them as evidence that the brand’s products are unreliable or poorly made. However, in mass production where millions of parts and vehicles are made, there are likely to be some times when something is wrongly done or made. Nevertheless, over the years, manufacturers and their suppliers have cut down these defects to very tiny percentages.
When a manufacturer does detect a defect, it has the responsibility to its customers, especially if it concerns something that concerns safety. A responsible manufacturer will therefore conduct a recall of the affected vehicles, and provide the necessary replacements at no cost to the customer. So customers should be happy when their manufacturer does that – although frequent recalls would be another matter…
Honda Malaysia has done recalls from time to time, its most massive exercise being to replace the Takata airbag inflator module. That was a crucial recall as there was a very high risk of people being seriously injured or even dying if the module broke up.
Now comes another recall (two different ones actually) which the company says is proactive, meaning it is a precautionary safety measure as no incidents have been reported. In the first one, technicians will inspect the nut torque on the Alternating Current Generator (ACG) to determine if it is correctly tightened on the ACG terminal of the engine harness. If not, there may be poor contact and a battery malfunction which may lead to engine stoppage while driving or being unable to start the engine after the car stops. The models affected are 1,068 units of the City (2021) and City Hatchback (2022)
The second issue requires inspection of the bolt earth grounding tightness, also to check if the tightening of bolt earth grounding is correct otherwise the wire harness will be loose. This may cause poor contact terminal and may result in engine stoppage while driving or being unable to start the engine after the car stops. The models affected are 343 units of the HR-V (2020) and 116 units of the BR-V (2021). All the models affected were assembled at the Honda plant in Melaka.
Honda Malaysia apologises for the inconvenience caused to the affected customers and assures the public that all current production and selling models are not affected in this recall. The company believes this product recall is necessary as customer safety is Honda Malaysia’s top priority, and will continue to uphold transparency and stringent controls.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be informed via notification letters which will include details of the recall. Honda Malaysia urges those with affected vehicles to contact any authorised Honda dealer in Malaysia to make an appointment upon receipt of the notification. They can then bring their vehicles for inspection and necessary action (subject to parts availability). The inspection, repair and replacement of affected parts are free of charge and all costs related to this recall activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia.
In the event that you are not the original owner (whose records will be with Honda Malaysia) but want to check if your vehicle is affected and obtain the necessary support, call Honda Malaysia’s toll-free number at 1-800-88-2020.
You’ve probably heard that Honda will soon be launching the all-new HR-V in Malaysia, following its launch in Thailand and Indonesia over the past 8 months. As usual, Honda Malaysia is offering a chance for those who want to be the first in the neighbourhood to own the new model a chance to make their bookings from today.
Honda Malaysia will launch the model sometime in the next 3 months and as with the current range, there will be petrol and hybrid powertrains. The HR-V Hybrid progresses from the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system to e:HEV technology with the intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. Already available in the latest City, e:HEV technology in Honda’s hybrid system combines the benefits of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to provide more power (131 ps/253 Nm) with good fuel efficiency.
Measuring 4385 mm in length, the new HR-V is 39 mm longer than its predecessor while the 1790 mm width is similar (to the current RS version only) while the roof is 15 mm closer to the road.
The front appearance is dominant with a new grille design which is a total departure from the previous ‘wing’ theme, while the rear has fastback styling though to our eyes, it looks less sleek than before.
New exterior features include front LED Sequential Turn Signals (the signals ‘move’ as the illuminate), and a LED Taillight Strip which adds a visual signature visible from a distance. Other key exterior features include new LED headlights with DRLs, LED foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
As with other models, there’s Honda SENSING, a suite of active safety systems but this is only in the RS version. Honda SENSING includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control (with low-speed follow). Additionally, the RS version also has the useful Honda LaneWatch system which provides a real-time camera view of the blind spot of the left side of the HR-V.
This variant also has a Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walk Away Close function, where the tailgate will start closing automatically upon detecting that the individual with the remote key is moving away from the car. Other features are Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock functions.
“The HR-V was first introduced to the Malaysian market in 2015, and it became a best-selling as well as a sensational model. With its proven track record, the HR-V is truly the compact SUV that is loved by many Malaysians. Therefore, we are excited to be introducing the All-New HR-V in Malaysia, which is now officially open for bookings,.” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura, adding that some 150,000 units have been sold nationwide since its launch 7 years ago.
When the HR-V was originally launched, it was a hotseller from the first day. Will this new model continue to command the biggest following in the segment? Since 2015, a number of new rivals have appeared on the scene so there are more choices at competitive prices.
To pre-book the new HR-V, customers can visit prebook.honda.com.my or download the HondaTouch application on their smartphones. Honda dealerships will also accept bookings, of course, as well as provide more information. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.
When Honda Malaysia first announced the pricing of the top of the line Honda City RS, many thought that the company had lost the plot.
The Honda City is a loved car in Malaysia. Many swear by it for its practicality and simplicity. It’s a fuss-free car that offers a good ownership experience.
The latest generation City though takes it all a notch up and includes spaciousness and impressive build quality into the mix.
But to ask RM108,000 is just borderline absurd.
The RS model is the top of the line model and features an impressive powertrain designed for fuel economy and power offered in a handsome package that also features space and quality that can rival some European marques.
Many were floored when Honda Malaysia first announced the price.
The Honda City has always been the cheap sedan that you bought if you wanted a reliable means of transport for you and your family. And you can still get that with the “lesser variant” such as the S-Spec that only costs a little under RM76,000.
But that’s also what some would call “taxi-spec”, referring to a model that only offers the bare minimum.
The RS is the model you truly want if you are the type that appreciates all the bells and whistles and the cattle they hang from.
But a Honda City at RM106,000? That’s like asking people to pay RM50 for a ‘Ramly Burger’.
Lets get metaphorical and imagine this – instead of the mass produced two millimetre thick patty that we usually get in a ramly burger, imagine that same burger but with a wagyu beef patty cooked in virgin olive oil with blue cheese and premium organic vegetables and condiments placed in between soft bread sprinkled with sesame and chia seeds.
And instead of being served in a sloppy piece of wrapping paper, you get it properly wrapped in a premium paper box placed inside a woven tote bag. And best of all, it is hand delivered to you within 30 minutes of ordering.
That RM85 does not sound so bad now does it. I know that referencing a burger against a Honda City is also absurd, but you get the point.
So that’s basically what Honda has done. Taken a well known and much loved product, plonked in a cleverly engineered powertrain, increased the quality of everything and made the interior a very nice place to be in.
And then there is the Honda City RS hatchback.
It is basically all of the above but in a hatchback body. And at RM108,000, Honda wants RM2,000 more for it. Why? Because it has something called Ultra Seats, which gives the hatchback a level of practicality that you do not get in the sedan variant.
The Ultra Seats is basically a fancy word for seats that can either fold up to let you store tall items, fold down for long items, and amazingly can fold in such a way that you can basically create a bed which makes the City RS hatchback perfectly suited for all you ‘glamping’ lovers.
The City RS Hatchback is also powered by the same 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain that powers the sedan.
It puts out a mere 98hp and 127Nm of torque. But it has an electric motor that pushes up the torque figure to an impressive 236Nm.
This gives the car a fun character around the corners. I imagine that weekend warriors will love the urgent response and nimble front end the hatchback offers while their parents will appreciate the spaciousness and the fuel economy.
The only thing though is that there is a setback in terms of top speed, while the regular combustion powered variants max out at 194km/h, the RS has a top speed of 175km/h. But while the other variants need 10.7 seconds to reach 100km/h, the RS needs just 9.7. And best of all, according to Honda, the other variants will need 5.6 litres of fuel to reach 100 kilometres. The RS though needs just 3.6 litres, which with today’s fuel prices puts it at just under RM10 to travel 100km.
But it’s not just the powertrain that makes the RS model stand out from the rest. It is also the interior that works a charm for me.
The seats are the first thing that charm your senses. And the fact that they come wrapped in something Honda calls Ultra Suede makes it nice to touch and even nicer to sit on.
And because this is the RS variant, the side bolstering holds you in place every so gently.
The dash is easy on the eye and to the touch. The steering wheel feels meaty in your hands and the buttons actually do feel like they belong in a RM100,000 car.
On that point, even the tiny weighted clicks of the air-conditioning dial invoke a premium feeling that you would not expect to get in a City.
The entertainment system is accessed through an eight-inch display that also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offers smartphone mirroring capability that lets you access your navigational and other favourite applications and mirror those on the screen.
Honda has undoubtedly done a remarkable job with the interior of the new City. During our test drive event, there was a Toyota Yaris available for comparison and the interior of that felt dated and unimaginative.
The final thing that makes the argument for this City costing above RM100,000 is the fact that it comes with Honda’s popular Sensing safety suite.
Honda Sensing is basically a collection of advanced safety technologies that make the City an incredibly safe car, perhaps one of the most laden with safety tech.
Before we dive into what is on offer with Honda Sensing, keep in mind that the City RS hatchback already has LaneWatch, Hill Start Assist, Auto Brake Hold, Vehicle Stability Assist, six airbags, ABS and EBD.
Honda Sensing takes it all a notch higher by further offering Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Colliding Mitigating, Auto High Beam and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Consider for a second that these are exactly the same safety systems also available in the pricier Honda Civic and the Honda CRV. The only omission being that the adaptive cruise control does not offer stop and go function.
Now, is the Honda City RS hatchback worth the RM107,000 asking price?
There is no doubt that it is a fine car with premium feel and a powertrain that balances the holy grail of power and economy. It is also packed with safety tech and has a drive that will put a smile on the faces of the young and not so young.
The simple answer would be yes for those who appreciate the tech. And the not so simple answer would be to consider the V-Spec which is a full RM15,000 cheaper and features all of the above but minus the hybrid powertrain and the Ultra Suede seats with red stitching. I actually prefer the leather seats available in the V-Spec than the fabric seats of the RS, as plush as those may be.
In the past, Honda Malaysia would usually take us to Thailand to get first impressions of a new model and we would get to drive it some distance in places like Chiangmai or Phuket. However, with border restrictions due to the pandemic, that is no longer possible so they organized a brief drive at the Sepang circuit before the launch of the new Civic and then arranged for a media drive to Penang and back (not during the Hari Raya period, of course). Here’s what Chips Yap found out about the C-segment leader…
Whenever I look at the recent generations of Honda Civics, I am always struck by how the model has grown in size since it first appeared in the 1970s. When I tested the first generation, it was just a small hatchback and it was even smaller than a Proton Iriz. But then again, cars back then were also smaller (besides being cheaper too).
With most generation changes, there was a constant increase in length but (disregarding the first generation which was only a hatchback) it was from the fourth generation to the fifth one which came at the beginning of the 1990s that saw the greatest increase of all the generations to date. From around 4230 mm, the overall length extended to around 4450 mm – a 220 mm difference. The growth in size could have been due to the fact that Honda had begun making the Civic in America and its popularity had grown quickly, so it needed to be more ‘rightsized’ for that market.
The Civic began life as a hatchback but the sedan very quickly became the dominant version globally.
In time, it would be the US market that kept the Civic line alive and evolving because in Japan, it was no longer favoured. In 2009, out of the 609,000 units sold globally, only 9,000 were sold in Japan, and in the following year, Honda decided to stop selling it. It brought back the model in 2017 but still its appeal remained low as buyers preferred compact models and the mini MPVs. By 2020, the company again decided to stop Civic sedan sales in Japan when only 1,619 units were sold in the entire year.
However, outside Japan, the Civic has remained a popular model; although it had started as an entry-level model with low pricing, it gradually moved out of that level and further up the market (which saw the City being introduced to take over its place). Nevertheless, in markets other than Japan, it had a following that kept volumes high enough to justify its continued existence to arrive at the 11th generation which we now have.
While the Civic continues to appeal to generally younger buyers, the latest generation has given up some of its bolder styling elements this time round. Unlike the 10th generation which had a major design change from its predecessor, an evolutionary approach has been taken. The overall size is close to the 10th generation, increasing in overall length by 30 mm with a marginally longer wheelbase as well.
The totally new frontal appearance suggests that the EXCITING H!!! DESIGN philosophy which was adopted in 2013 has been finally changed to a ‘New Age Identity’ that is thin and light look. There are still remnants of the Solid Wing Face but it is a much simpler form to complement the low bonnet and front fenders.
Also gone are the crab claw tail lights which gave the 10th generation a distinctive visual signature from afar. The new LED units wrap around the corners and taper towards the centre, generating s visual signature too but nothing really unique.
Models that have gone through as many generations as the Civic has – over almost 50 years – usually become more mature, just like humans do. And so it is with the styling which is still polished and has the premium look but maybe not as aggressive as the model before. It still has sporty undertones with the roofline flowing smoothly to the rear end and the repositioning of the A-pillars further back visually stretches the bonnet line.
The drive route took us through Ipoh and gave good insights into the new car’s behaviour in various conditions. Though Honda says that noise levels are reduced, there were times when it seemed that noise from the rear was still not much changed. We would put it down to the widely varying quality of road surfaces in our country as there were times when things were quieter and the level of vibrations felt was also low.
Although the CVT was available in Malaysia as far back as the 1980s (in just a couple of models), it’s only over the past 10 years or so that it’s become mainstream and I think it was Honda that was the first major brand to offer it in Malaysia with the first Jazz. Enthusiasts dislike CVTs because of its non-linear power delivery and most people cannot stand that ‘rubberband’ characteristic when accelerating hard. But the newer CVTs, like the one in the Civic, have improved feel and less mechanical noise evident though it is still not the same as a conventional automatic. With the RS model we tested, you get paddle shifters which are useful on twisty roads when you want better control.
While it’s the same powerplant as before, the 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has improved output with an additional 10 ps and 20 Nm to push total output to 182 ps/240 Nm. It feels a little bit slow off the line but that generous torque gives it strong muscles once on the move. High speeds can be sustained easily and there’s quick responsiveness when you need an additional burst of speed to overtake.
The Civic is still a sporty handler, instilling confidence and able to give the driver an entertaining time behind the wheel with its agility around corners. Matching the mature looks, the ride is composed with a balance of sportiness and comfort. Thanks to increased body rigidity, roll is negligible and the suspension does a decent job of flattening most road imperfections but could do a better job of making potholes ‘disappear’.
For me, the highlight of this Civic generation is the dashboard. When I saw the first pictures of it, I somehow immediately had recollections of older Honda models. Friends who, like me, had been in those models of the 1970s, also felt the same way and it has something to do with the honeycomb grille that runs across the entire dashboard. It’s classy in a classic sort of way and I think that just as the designers of the Honda e looked back at the early models for the dashboard design, the interior designers of the new Civic also studied designs that predecessors adopted.
The whole dashboard has been visually decluttered, a change from the previous one, and even the air vents seem to be absent. But they aren’t – they are actually hidden under the finely detailed grille (which is metal, not plastic). The vents are adjusted by small handles which resemble joystick controllers so Gen Z should be right at home with them.
The other thing about the dashboard design is that the interior designers have paused on the rush towards digitizing everything and putting controls on display panels. It may seem like the way to go but there are practical reasons why rotary controls and physical pushbuttons are still better and the Civic shows this sensible thinking. There are three rotary knobs to adjust the air-conditioner blower speed and temperature and this is how it should be because these are operations you do not want to have to look at a panel to do. Most of the time, they are done intuitively, without looking, and that’s better for safety.
With adjustments done on a screen, I’ve found that you need to look at the screen and then precisely press a spot on it to adjust something. That’s not so good when you’re driving so Honda has got it right with the Civic, leaving the on-screen buttons as one-touch operations. Oh, the large icons on the 9-inch centre display are also appreciated and most of all, operations are intuitive enough.
It doesn’t need saying that the fit and finish are top-notch and being the RS version, there’s also a premium touch (for extra money, of course). I spent some time in the back seats and they have good form and function with the concaved cushioning providing good support and generous space on the floor. There’s good width for 3 persons to sit comfortably too with the body now having been broadened up to 1.8 metres, the widest ever in 11 generations.
The Honda SENSING driver assistance suite for the Civic RS has improved functionality and consists of 9 active safety systems. There’s now a Lead Car Departure Notification System which alerts the driver when the vehicle ahead moves off though I’m not sure if that’s really needed. But the Driver Attention Monitor is good as it could save a driver from dozing off and crashing. It monitors the way the car is being controlled and if there is unusual driving behaviour, the driver will be alerted (and should pull over for a break).
I used to disregard the value of lane-keeping systems but driving the Civic RS, I could see that apart from enhancing driving safety, the system can also help reduce fatigue on long journeys. Basically, the system will monitor lane markings and maintain the car in the middle. If there is too much deviation to one side or the other, there will be alerts but if the driver still does not take corrective action, then there will be gentle steering action to guide the car back into position.
While this may seem intrusive to some, I came to realise that when we drive, there is some adjustment of the steering to keep the car in the lane. You do it consciously or sometimes even unconsciously and it is something that requires a tiny bit of effort. If the lane-keeping system does this, then that effort is unnecessary and as I drove along gently winding roads, I noticed how the steering would turn by itself slightly as the road curved. And if you have the adaptive cruise control on, then you can enjoy a preview of autonomous motoring as well!
I’ve mentioned Honda LaneWatch a few times and praised it and I will again say it’s one of Honda’s great innovations which is now available in most models. It provides (on the screen) a view of the left side of the car whenever the left signal is activated and the good thing is that the head does not have to turn as much as if it had to look at the door mirror. Also, the small camera mounted on the mirror captures clear images at night so you get a better view. The LaneWatch display can also be manually activated by pressing on the button on the tip of the right stalk if there is a need to take a look at any time.
One thing which surprised me though was that, because the LaneWatch display uses the same centre panel, when it comes on, it dominates the screen. So if you’re looking at a map that was mirrored using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, it will suddenly ‘disappear’. The first few times it happened, I found it a bit disconcerting as it would happen at that moment when I was watching for a turn. But then again, you can get used to it and live with it.
Sadly, the cost of the Honda LaneWatch system has been high and last year, Honda said that it would eventually stop offering it and go for more conventional blindspot monitoring systems like in other cars. It’s a pity because I thought they had found a way to reduce the cost in the newer models with a separate camera mounting.
The Civic RS version we drove is the top version of the latest range and it’s priced from RM144,350.09 (without insurance and sales tax exemption only till June 30, 2022). If it’s within your budget, the extra amount you pay over the other two variants is well worth the money. It comes loaded with all the latest features and being a Civic – and a Honda – you can be sure that it will not only be reliable but also hold its value well.
As with the City Sedan, Honda Malaysia has now added another variant of the City Hatchback with the Honda SENSING driver-assistance package for those who want more advanced safety systems. The new City Hatchback V-SENSING variant is similar to the City Hatchback 1.5V and is priced from RM91,708.51 (excluding insurance and sales tax), which is around RM3,852 more than the 1.5V without Honda SENSING.
While Honda has provided various types of active safety systems over the years such as ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist and Traction Control, these have been independent in their functions. With Honda SENSING, which was first introduced in 2015 in Japan and 2017 in Malaysia (with the 5th generation CR-V), the active systems function in a collaborative manner and expand the capabilities of recognizing as well as reacting to potential accident situations.
Such unified systems use either a radar or a camera, or both, to scan the road ahead for other vehicles and road-users as well as road markings. More expensive models usually have the radar as well but for the City Hatchback (and Sedan), Honda uses only a camera, probably to reduce the cost. However, compared to the earlier Honda SENSING system, the camera (mounted in the space above the rearview mirror) in the latest one has a wider view and improved imaging capabilities in all lighting conditions. The imagery captured by the camera is constantly analysed and also picks up lane markings on the road as well as the edge of the road.
Compared to the original Honda SENSING system first introduced in Malaysia, today’s system has increased features and consists of:
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)
With ACC, the desired cruising speed can be set as well as the length of the gap with the vehicle ahead. The system will adjust the speed to maintain the gap.
ACC is a more advanced type of cruise control where the car can run in semi-autonomous mode. The driver still needs to pay attention and steer but once the cruising speed is set, there is no need for the driver to use the brakes to slow down if there is a vehicle ahead. The system will do it automatically to maintain a safe distance, returning to the set speed when there is no vehicle ahead. This will not only make driving easier in heavy traffic but also help to reduce fatigue on long journeys, improving safety.
CMBS and FCW are related systems, both functioning to prevent a collision with a vehicle ahead or hitting other road-users. FCW will warn the driver by sound and by warning lights if there is a risk of a collision. If the driver does not act to prevent this from happening – ie slowing down or braking – CMBS then activates and the brakes will be applied automatically. While the automatic emergency braking may or may not prevent a collision (depending on road conditions and speed), the earlier deceleration could reduce the damage of the impact if it occurs.
With CMBS, the brakes will automatically be applied if the Honda SENSING system determines that a collision will occur and the driver has not taken action to prevent it.
Incidentally, when CMBS occurs, the rear brake lights automatically flash and the hazard warning lights will also come on. This is to alert drivers in vehicles behind of the sudden braking so they won’t also collide… not all cars may have systems like Honda SENSING.
LDW, LKAS and RDM also related and their main function is to keep the car within its lane. These systems were developed as studies have found that many accidents have occurred due to the car wandering out of its lane without the driver being aware (usually due to lack of attention or drowsiness). The systems will not activate if a turn signal is in use, signifying that the car’s movement out of its lane is deliberately done.
The process starts with LDW which relies on the camera imagery to recognise lane markings. This may not be 100% perfect since the markings may not be present or worn out, or the road may be wet with rain. If the car is not positioned within its lane, there will be alerts to make the driver aware. Should the car keep drifting out of the lane, LKAS will start and the steering wheel will receive a slight turning action to guide the car back into the lane. Like ACC, this feature can also reduce driving fatigue on long journeys.
RDM operates like LKAS except it is for a more extreme situation such as when the car is about to leave the road unintended. The system will apply steering torque to bring the car back into the lane but if that is not likely to work, braking action may also occur to prevent further departure from the road.
How Road Departure Mitigation works.
AHB is a straightforward system which just switches the headlights between high and low beams automatically. When driving at night, the illumination should be maximised as much as possible and this is usually with high beams. However, they can dazzle oncoming drivers so they need to be switched low beams. AHB takes away the need for the driver to do this and the lighting will be kept at maximum as much as possible. Having high beam in use also enhances the effectiveness of the camera at night.
Also of note in the safety department is Honda Lanewatch, an innovative feature which provides the driver with a view of the blind spot on the left side of the car by using a small camera mounted on the door mirror. The real-time image is displayed on the 8-inch panel in the middle of the dashboard so the driver doesn’t have to turn the head all the way to the left to see the mirror. The camera is only on when the left signal is activated.
Besides having the same standard equipment as the Sedan, the City Hatchback also comes with the ULTRA seats at the rear. This is a simple but clever idea which originated in the first generation of the Jazz some 20 years ago. Where hatchbacks usually have rear backrests that fold flat to expand the cargo volume and floor length of the boot, the ULTRA seat folds up to also create extra cabin height for carrying tall items like plants.
Besides this TALL mode, there are three other modes – UTILITY, LONG or REFRESH. For the LONG and REFRESH modes, the front passenger’s seat can also be folded flat so there is an open space from the back door all the way to the dashboard to carry a really long item or just to stretch out. The UTILITY mode is essentially like what you get in other hatchbacks with the rear backrests folded down to enlarge the boot space which can accommodate bicycles.
Performance-wise, there is the same well proven 1.5-litre DOHC i–VTEC engine. This produces 121 ps/145 Nm which is the highest in its class and the power gets to the front wheels through a CVT.
For more information on the City Hatchback V-SENSING and other Honda models, visit www.honda.com.my or any authorised Honda showroom.
