Honda City Facelift Launched: Base Model 1.5S up RM7,300 to RM84,900, eHEV up RM3,100 to RM111,900

Aside from the visual flourish of the front grill in the RS versions, most of the notable changes to the City are in its accessories. There's a slight increase in length, but that's only due to the new bumper and front grille. The interior space is entirely the same. So, what's new across the board?

• Paddle shifters are available on all variants (racerboys go vroom)
• Walkaway auto lock (neat-o)
• Honda Sensing safety features are standard in all-variants
• 6 airbags now standard

We have to say that the Honda Sensing feature that comes standard is almost worth the price increase across the range. We suspect it's a move to combat Toyota's new Vios that has safety features as standard too across the range. Removing a paywall from your safety features is a great customer-centric move that should be applauded as you had to pay a premium of RM17,000 from the base model to get the V Sensing, now for only RM7,400 than last year's base 1.5S, you get all the Sensing features.

The RS badge does not mean it's a higher performance model—at least, not anymore. It seems like Honda will stick that sexy RS badge (they've even redisigned the badge) on anything to increase its price. We've covered the eHEV variant of the Honday City hatchback, and with that RS, you get the electric motor.

With the petrol version, the RS badge simply means a more aggressive honeycomb grill and sporty looking kit. It also comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, sports pedals, and seven-inch digital instrument cluster. The RS badge is a confusing moniker at this point but the Civic (which we reviewed), the WR-V, and the City now all have an RS version for their cars that are simply sporty looking versions of their cars. Maybe they want to spin off the eHEV branding to live on its own in the future.

Being the most expensive, the electric-ish City gains auto brake hold and an electronic parking brake. It also gets two automated systems: Low Speed Follow and Lead Car Departure Notification—plus all the sporty things.

In the RM100k range, you're still paying for the electric motor and the fuel saving capacity. Having said that, we tested it on Genting's hills and the engine was screaming all the way to the top and petrol saving was not even a consideration. We weren't even pushing the car mind you, just trying to get to the top at a reasonable pace.

But the boys at WapCar managed 900km on a single tank, so on straight roads at consistent speeds, the electric motor is allowed to flex its petrol saving muscles.