Zakirin
Honda Malaysia has released the initial technical and equipment details for a second facelift of the fifth-generation Honda City sedan, introducing several revisions to the vehicle’s interior electronics, active safety systems, and exterior design. The update introduces a 10-inch central touchscreen, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and dedicated blind spot monitoring sensors to the B-segment model. Exterior adjustments include a revised front lighting signature, functional bumper air curtains, and updated 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels on the RS grade. The mechanical lineup remains unchanged from the previous model year, carrying over both the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine and the dual-motor e:HEV hybrid system. While an introductory booking incentive has been introduced for the Merdeka promotional period, official retail pricing across the revised range has not yet been announced.
Key Points
- The updated Honda City sedan gains a 10-inch infotainment screen, a 360-degree camera system, and dedicated blind spot sensors.
- Exterior modifications introduce functional front bumper air curtains, a full-width front lighting element, and 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels on the RS variant.
- Honda Malaysia is offering an RM3,000 Early Bird Reward for bookings made during the Merdeka promotional period, while official vehicle pricing remains undisclosed.
Exterior Adjustments and Aerodynamic Components
The exterior changes on this second facelift are focused primarily on the front fascia and grade-specific trim elements. The headlamp assembly has been revised to incorporate a full-width lighting strip across the front edge of the vehicle, linking both light clusters horizontally. Lower on the front bumper, Honda has integrated functional vertical air curtains on the outer corners. This is the first instance of functional aerodynamic bumper vents being fitted to the City model line, designed to route incoming air around the front wheel wells to reduce aerodynamic drag at cruising speeds.
On the RS specification, several distinct exterior trim components differentiate the grade from the rest of the model range. The exterior revisions across the updated lineup include the following items:
- Full-Width Lighting Profile: Horizontal design elements running across the front cluster to alter the vehicle’s front visual signature.
- Functional Bumper Air Curtains: Aerodynamic channels built into the lower front bumper to manage airflow around the front wheels.
- 16-Inch Two-Tone Alloy Rims: Machine-finished wheels with a dual-tone paint scheme fitted as standard equipment on the RS grade.
- Grade-Specific Black Trim: Gloss-black finishes applied to the side mirror covers, front grille trim, and rear lower bumper section on RS models.
These updates represent an incremental cosmetic and functional revision to the exterior panels. The vehicle’s core platform dimensions, wheelbase, and structural sheet metal remain identical to the previous iteration.
Cabin Technology and Driver-Assistance Hardware
Inside the cabin, the mid-cycle update focuses on the infotainment interface and low-speed visibility systems. The center dashboard houses a larger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display, replacing the previous screen unit. The system handles media functions, vehicle configuration settings, and mobile connectivity, supporting standard wired and wireless smartphone integration protocols.
The driver assistance and active safety systems have also been expanded with additional hardware components. A technical breakdown of the newly added electronic equipment and their respective functions is outlined below:
| Feature | Technical Specification | Operational Function |
| Infotainment System | 10.0-inch Central Touchscreen | Operates multimedia playback, vehicle settings, and smartphone mirroring |
| Parking Camera | 360-Degree Surround-View System | Combines multiple camera feeds to display an overhead view of the vehicle perimeter |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | Dedicated Radar/Ultrasonic Sensors | Detects adjacent vehicles and illuminates visual warning indicators on the side mirrors |
| Driver Display | Integrated Instrument Screen | Displays active driver-assist status, safety alerts, and vehicle telemetry |
The 360-degree camera system is activated during parking maneuvers and low-speed driving, using sensors around the bodywork to generate a composite bird’s-eye view. The dedicated blind spot monitoring system relies on sensors located on the rear quarter panels to detect approaching traffic in adjacent lanes, signaling visual alerts to the driver via indicators on the exterior mirrors.
Mechanical Specifications and Powertrain Continuity
Honda Malaysia has retained the existing powertrain options for this update, with no alterations made to engine displacement, internal architecture, or output ratings. The standard variants continue to use a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels.
The top-tier RS variant continues to feature Honda’s intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) e:HEV hybrid system. This setup operates primarily via an electric traction motor at low to moderate speeds, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine engaging via a lock-up clutch during steady highway driving conditions.
The performance and output ratings for the two mechanical configurations are detailed below:
- 1.5-Litre DOHC i-VTEC (Petrol Variants): Produces a maximum power output of 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and peak torque of 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, paired with a standard CVT.
- 1.5-Litre e:HEV RS (Hybrid Variant): Features an internal combustion engine rated at 109 PS alongside an electric drive motor generating 253 Nm of torque, linked to an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).
The continuity of these powertrains means that mechanical components, servicing procedures, and fuel capacity figures remain identical to those of the pre-facelift model.
Hatchback Speculation and Commercial Parameters
The announcement of this second facelift currently applies solely to the four-door sedan variant. While industry observers expect that the five-door Honda City Hatchback will eventually receive a comparable set of exterior and interior updates, Honda Malaysia has not officially confirmed a timeline, specifications, or local release schedule for an updated hatchback variant.
To initiate the sales phase ahead of formal showroom distribution, Honda Malaysia has established a pre-booking framework without publishing official list prices:
- Merdeka Booking Incentive: Customers placing a formal booking during the promotional Merdeka period are eligible for an Early Bird Reward valued at RM3,000.
- Official Retail Pricing: Final retail pricing for all variant grades has not been released and will be confirmed at a later date.
- Order Processing: Authorized Honda dealerships nationwide have begun accepting customer registrations based on the revised specifications.
The RM3,000 incentive serves as an initial sales measure to accumulate advance bookings prior to the formal price announcement. The updated sedan enters the local B-segment market where electronic driver aids, camera systems, and cabin display sizes continue to serve as standard reference points among competing models.
