Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV detailed in pictures

Since the Honda Jazz has evolved into a more premium first world product, the duty of succeeding the model in market like ours has gone to the car we’re looking at here – the Honda City Hatchback.

Developed to replace the Jazz and also to give the Toyota Yaris a run for its money, the Honda City Hatchback was launched in Malaysia last year in four variants – the City Hatchback S, E, V, and the range-topping RS e:HEV hybrid version which we’re going to have a closer look at now.

The main highlight of the City Hatchback RS is obviously its powertrain, which comprises a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine and an electric motor that produce a combined output of 109 PS and up to 253 Nm of torque.

Paired with the engine is an e-CVT transmission which works hand-in-hand with the two-motor hybrid system which switches between Engine, EV, and Hybrid modes according to the driving conditions in order to give the best performance and to save fuel.

Fuel consumption of the City Hatchback RS is rated at 3.6 litres per 100 km.

As for the exterior, the City Hatchback is essentially a City Sedan without a butt. Measuring 4,349 mm in length, 1,748 mm in width, and 1,488 mm in height, the only difference between the City Hatchback and the sedan is the height of the car due to the former’s sloping roof at the rear.

Even the wheelbase length of 2,600 mm is identical in both versions of the Honda City. Design wise, everything here is identical with the sedan as well except for the rear.

Design wise, the City Hatchback RS here gets a few exclusive features that make the car look sportier than the other three variants, such as the blacked out front grille and side mirrors and the unique front and rear bumpers.

Sitting on 16-inch alloy wheels, the headlights, daytime running lights, front fog lights, and the rear combination lights of the City Hatchback RS are all LED, giving the car a more premium look.

The City Hatchback’s front grille design is also different from the sedan’s grille.

Inside, the City Hatchback RS comes with a fully digital instrument panel unlike the other variants that get the traditional analogue speedometer.

The seats in the City RS variant are also exclusive to the variant, clad in Ultrasuede material with red contrasting stitches.

As for the rear seats, there is plenty of head and leg room. There are rear air vents too.

Also unique to the City Hatchback RS e:HEV variant is the electronic parking brake with Auto Hold function.

Keeping everyone in the car well entertained is an eight -inch full colour touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity.

 

Further adding to the convenience of occupants are two USB ports and a 12V power outlet to charge everyone’s mobile devices.

Last but not least, boot space is rated at 289 litres with the rear seats up, and 1,189 litres with the seats down.

Also read: Honda City Hatchback variants explained