Table of Content
The Honda City and the Toyota Vios have been neck to neck in competing for the top spot as the best compact sedan in Malaysia. It can be quite difficult to choose between the two, so let’s check them out to see which one wins the age old battle between the City and the Vios.
Comparison of specifications
| Specifications | Honda City | Toyota Vios |
| OTR Price (Kuala Lumpur) | RM75,295.00 | RM76,101.00 |
| Available EMI Options | RM781.00 | RM791.00 |
| Transmission Type | CVT | CVT |
| Engine | 1497cc | 1496cc |
| Power | 118hp | 106hp |
| Torque | 145Nm | 140Nm |
| Seating capacity | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Length | 4442mm | 4425mm |
| Width | 1694mm | 1730mm |
| Height | 1477mm | 1475mm |
| Wheel Base | 2600mm | 2550mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1084kg | 1110kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 40L | 42L |
| Cargo Volume | 536L | 506L |
| Turning Radius | 5.6m | 5.1m |
| Steering Gear Type | Rack & Pinion | Rack & Pinion |
| Tyre Size | 175/65 R15 | 185/60 R15 |
Honda City
Style
When it comes to the subjective matter of style, different people have different preferences. Similarities with the two cars include LED headlamps, LED tail lights and shark fin antenna. However, the Honda City’s aerodynamic exterior has a more sophisticated look compared to the Toyota Vios.
In terms of the interior, the City just feels more ‘grown-up’. The dashboard has three stylish silver trimmed, oval shaped meters. Honda has managed to create a lot of space in the cabin. Focus is given to the occupants’ comfort with great legroom and remarkable under-thigh support.
In addition to this, the City’s boot space is larger than the Vios as well. Honda has always been a benchmark when it comes to interior space and the City continues this trend, hands down beats the Vios in this category.
Performance
The Honda City has a 1.5L engine with 120PS and 145Nm of torque. The hybrid version has 137PS and 170Nm of torque. Acceleration is fast but you will need to switch gears to ensure a smooth ride. There is however, a buzzing sound that remains till the engine is switched off when the car crosses 2000 rpm.
Additionally, the steering wheel is decently weighted and it is quite easy to navigate through tricky terrains as well as roads with potholes. Generally, the Honda City has better handling than the Toyota Vios.
Safety
The Honda City has more than adequate safety features. There is an anti-locking braking system (ABS), parking sensors, brake assist, crash sensor, emergency stop signal and vehicle stability control system. The City has a total of 6 airbags and with higher variants, a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
Features
For comfort and convenience, the City has several features that are not present in the Vios. Among these features are a foldable rear seat, rear cup holders, multi-function steering wheel and the electric folding rear view mirror. In terms of entertainment and communication, the Honda City owners can opt to have a navigational system while Toyota Vios owners do not have this option at all. This car also has premium features such as the leather seats, push-button start stop system and the full LED headlamps.
Fuel Economy
The Honda City’s petrol tank is 40L. You will be able to get 14.3km/l for the manual petrol version and 23km/l for the diesel version for city driving. The automatic petrol version will give you about an average of 15km/l.
Maintenance Coverage
It’s good news for Honda owners as all Honda vehicles now come with a 3 year / 36,000 mile limited warranty. Additionally, the Powertrain limited warranty is 5 years / 60,000 miles while accessories have a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty.
Toyota Vios
Style
The new Toyota Vios is an upgrade from its previous generation. With upgraded curvy tail lamps and flowing side profile, the exterior is fresh and contemporary. Compared to the City, Vios has a more sporty look that the younger ones will go for.
The interior is also an upgrade from its older counterparts. The new Vios has a solid build quality that gives the impression that it will last through the years.
Performance
The Toyota Vios has a 1.5 liter petrol engine and CVT gearbox. While there is nothing exciting about its performance, this car’s 107PS and 140Nm of torque is more than adequate for both driving interstate on expressways as well as city driving. 110km/h is not an issue and the CVT’s seven speeds is an added bonus.
The Toyota Vios has lower noise levels as compared to the Honda City. However, it is less stable when on highways due to its extra body roll, making it less competent than the City when it comes to handling.
Safety
As always, Toyota takes the safety of its occupants very seriously. It has all the safety features that the Honda City has, plus several others. With an extra side airbag in front, the Vios has a total of 7 airbags compared to Honda’s 6. Other safety features include a blind spot monitoring system, traction control, as well as front and rear DVR. The Vios also features Toyota’s Premium Security Solar Firm for all its variants.
Features
The Toyota Vios is a sedan that has all the basic features that you will ever need. It has plenty of entertainment and communication features that are comparable to the Honda City, such as front and rear speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and USB and auxiliary input. However, in terms of comfort and convenience, the City seems to be on the winning side.
Fuel economy
The Toyota Vios has a 42L petrol tank. One feature of this sedan is that it is compliant to the EEV requirement thus reducing fuel consumption.
Maintenance Coverage
All Toyota vehicles except for the Hilux and Hiace have 5 years / unlimited mileage warranty. The first 3 years / 100,000 km is covered by the standard manufacturer’s warranty and the next 2 years warranty is covered by UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd.
How to choose the right car for you?
It is definitely not easy to choose the right car with the many brands in the market. However, here are some tips that will help you make the right decision.
1. Have a budget
If you will be taking a loan to finance your car purchase, consider how much you can afford to put towards your car each month. Monthly car repayments should not exceed 15% of your monthly income, regardless of whether you are buying brand new or second hand. Also, do remember that you will need to pay for fuel, insurance and car maintenance.
2. What do you need from your car purchase?
Before you purchase a car, assess your needs. What do you need the car for? Is it to make a statement or is it for daily use? Have an idea of where you will often be heading to and how many people you need to carry. You might also want to consider the car’s safety features and performance to see if the car is suitable for you. If you have young children, remember that your car will need to be spacious to fit baby/childrens’ seats.
3. Check car reviews
Do your research and check local car websites for your area. You can compare similar cars, read expert opinions as well as reviews from others who have already bought the car.
4. Check facilities at authorised service centers
First, do check where the service centers are located as you don’t want to end up driving for miles to a service center. Also, different brands will have different facilities available at their authorized service centers. Honda service centers are usually open 7 days a week, with well trained technicians handling your car. Make sure you choose a center with clear pricing on all services and repairs. Additionally, some centers have complimentary refreshments to keep you comfortable while you wait for your car.
The final verdict
When comparing the Honda City to the Toyota Vios, the better option seems to be the City. It has better pricing, bigger interior and boot space, as well as easier handling and very decent performance. If you are looking for a car that will provide comfort and convenience, then the City is for you. In terms of entertainment and communication features, both cars have almost the same features.
Overall, the Honda City seems to be the way to go, especially when considering all it offers for its price tag.