Honda City Hybrid or 1.5L E Variant - Which one to buy?

Malaysia is the only country other than Japan that gets the IMA Hybrid versions of the Jazz and the Civic. At RM 88Kthey are also one of the most affordable Hybrid vehicles in the country. However, not everyone wants to buy a hybrid. Especially when there are cheaper variants to choose from. The Honda City 1.5L E is nearly RM 7000 cheaper than the Hybrid. So which one is the better option to go for?

The Honda City has an unshakable reputation as a daily driver that is reliable, comfortable, nice to drive, and looks good. First coming out in 1996, it is now in its sixth generation. Going by the trend, Honda should have a new generation in the making. And yet they launched the Hybrid in 2017 replacing the S+ variant.

The obvious advantage here is the hybrid drivetrain. The normal 1.5L i-VTEC produces 120 PS at 6600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4600 rpm. The 1.5L engine in the Hybrid is an Atkinson cycle engine that produces 110 PS at 6000 rpm and 134 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm from its lean burn DOHC unit. There is also an electric motor that provides 30 PS and 160 Nm of torque. The combined output then is 137 PS and 170 Nm of torque. This is not just higher than the standard trim but pushes it into the Civic territory that uses a 1.8L engine.

While this may be a little less than other hybrids, it is still a lot of power. Add to that the quick shifting 7-speed dual clutch that justifies the paddle shifters (and the sports button) and this car suddenly gains a lot of sporty appeal. Honda has conducted two years of extensive testing to make it as free from niggles as possible. While not without its faults, it is overall a huge improvement on the normal CVT.

The electric motor means that the car can start completely in silence. This might take some getting used to but is indeed something that needs to be experienced. The electric motor also means that the car is heavier by almost 100 kg. The weight, however, makes the suspension stiffer and leads to a less comfortable ride. To better handle the added weight, the car has also been stiffened. The handling, as a result, is a bit better but in the end, this is no sports car. The aforementioned sports button delivers sharper throttle response and holds the revs higher which charges the battery. The top speed although is limited to 180 km/h to protect the battery. Still, it can deliver 50+ km/L fuel economy figures.

It uses 185/55R16 wheels instead of 175/65R15. The hybrid can also be distinguished from the 1.5E on account of its triple 5 spoke alloys. Inside it is very much the same with keyless entry and remote start, touch-panel climate controls, and the new 6.8-inch double-DIN head unit with a reverse camera and six speakers. Plastic interiors, urethane steering wheel, and fabric seats remind that you are not in the range-topping 1.5V variant.

Same as the 1.5E, there are only four airbags. ABS with EBD, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, and Honda’s G-Force control are thankfully all present. The rear passengers get their own AC vents and do not have to compromise on legroom despite the additional hybrid machinery. The AC vents are necessitated because the hybrid system does tend to get hot. The boot also misses out on the spare wheel due to making space for the battery. Like the 1.5E, service intervals are still at 10000 km. The car comes with a five-year warranty while the battery has its own eight-year warranty.

Coming back to the question then, it is an obvious improvement over the 1.5E. It is however almost as expensive as the range-topping V. Should you buy the Hybrid then? Frankly, yes. It should be a better value for money proposition and should definitely be worth the money.