This is the Honda City Hatchback, a brand-new model that made its Malaysian debut back in December 2021 across 4 variants. It supersedes the Honda Jazz as Honda Malaysia’s B-segment hatchback offering.

Seen here is the top-of-the-line RS variant, priced from a cool RM 109,800.

Why does the Honda City Hatchback RS costs more than RM 100k?

The short and simple answer is the City Hatchback RS’ sophisticated e:HEV two-motor full-hybrid petrol-electric powertrain.

On top of that, it also offers RS-specific bits, like a body kit, rear disc brakes, semi-leather upholstery, sport pedals, rear air-conditioning vents, and an electric parking brake.

Also Read: Review: 2022 Honda City Hatchback V - Capable all-rounder, but why do we miss the Jazz?

What is the difference between V and V Sensing

As the name implies, the Honda City 1.5 V Sensing gains the Honda Sensing ADAS suite.

The Honda Sensing ADAS suite includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

Also included in the V Sensing is a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster that’s necessary for Honda Sensing operations.

With these inclusions, the City Hatchback 1.5 V Sensing costs RM 4,000 more than the regular V variant; a reasonable amount to top up for the added safety kit.

Also Read: Review: 2022 Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV - The everyman's hybrid with an unfair price

Does the interior of the City Hatchback RS differ from the regular petrol variant?

The hybrid version of the City Hatchback does offer some differences inside the cabin.

For starters, it is the only variant to offer the semi-leather seat upholstery, rear air-conditioning vents, electric parking brake (EPC), and sport pedals.

Is the Honda City Hatchback spacious inside?

Typical of any modern-day Honda vehicle, the interior of the Honda City Hatchback offers a number of storage spaces for your miscellenous items.

Unlike the sedan, the City Hatchback also offers Honda's clever Ultra Seats, allowing the rear seats to be folded in a number of ways, further maximizing its interior space.

Also Read: The Honda City Hatchback is smaller than the Sedan but has more space inside, how?

How big is the Honda City Hatchback's boot?

According to Honda, the City Hatchback's boot is 289 litres with the rear seats up.

Fold the rear seats down and boot space expands to 1,189 litres.

What is the green Brake Hold light?

Brake Hold, as the name implies, holds the car’s brakes even when the driver lifts his/her foot off the brake pedal.

For example, when the City Hatchback RS comes to a complete stop, Brake Hold will keep holding the brakes, allowing the driver to remove his/her foot from the brakes. It is very useful in urban traffic conditions, such as at intersections and traffic light stops.

​As useful as Brake Hold may be, there are situations that you want to disable the feature. For example, when maneuvering into a tight parking spot, as you want very fine control of the throttle to inch forward, and not having the brakes hold you. It's also a similar case in slow-moving traffic jams, as Brake Hold makes it harder for you to inch forward gradually.

To start moving, just gently press on the throttle pedal as Brake Hold always stays on.

Are Honda hybrids reliable?

Over the past couple of years, Honda has introduced several versions of their petrol-electric hybrid systems, including IMA and i-DCD.

Regardless of version, Honda’s hybrid solutions have been very reliable.

Of which, i-DCD-equipped models are holding up even today. Although some owners had their inverter failed, it is covered under warranty and no owners had to replace theirs outside of the warranty period.

Also Read: Used 5-year-old Honda City Hybrid GM7 from RM 60k – Your first hybrid?

Why nothing happens when I press the Honda City Hatchback RS’ paddle shifters?

While the City Hatchback RS has what appears to be paddle shifters nestled behind the steering wheel, they don’t actually control the gear ratios.

Recall that the City Hatchback RS does not have a gearbox in a traditional sense, relying instead on two motors – the traction motor that drives the wheels, which also doubles as a generator. The second motor serves as a generator.

​ And that is where these paddles, which are actually called Deceleration Selector Paddles, come in, as the control the intensity of the City Hatchback RS’ regenerative braking.

The feature is added to give users a quasi-EV driving feel, using regenerative braking to slow the car. Note that feature is not a replacement for the brake pedal. The driver must always maintain control of the vehicle's braking with the brake pedal.

Why is there a vent near the back seat?

The air vent near the back seat channels cool air from the cabin to the battery pack located in the boot.

One should never block these cooling vents as it safeguards and ensures the longevity of the hybrid battery.

Is the Honda City Hatchback RS fuel efficient?

When driven sedately, the Honda City Hatchback RS is extremely fuel efficient.

During our time with the hatchback, it returned an average of 4.5-litre/100 km, which translate into an eye-watering 22.2 km/litre.

In fact, we clocked slightly over 500 km and the fuel gauge sat at the half-way mark. Up to 1,000 km a tank? We reckon it would be possible, given a more disciplined right foot.

Is the City Hatchback RS safe?

​ Yes. ASEAN NCAP crash tested the Honda City sedan and it scored a 5-star crash test rating.

While ASEAN NCAP did not test the City Hatchback separately, but due to the fact that both the City sedan and Cty Hatchback share a similar front structure, their crash test results are identical.

The City Hatchback RS comes with 6 airbags as standard, further adding to its safety credentials.

Why is Honda LaneWatch only on one side?

To explain this, we first need to explain how Honda LaneWatch works.

Honda LaneWatch features a camera mounted on the passenger side mirror that provides a vide feed onto the car’s head unit when the driver turns on the left signal, minimizing blind spot.

As you would have already known by now, it’s not safe for the driver to look at the centre screen if he/she were to turn right. Furthermore, blind spots are less of an issue on the driver's side; it's more apparent on the passenger side.

On top of which, Honda's LaneWatch is a blessing in dark and wet nights, as the video feed from the camera provides better guidance as opposed to a blind spot indicator on the side mirror.

What is the maintenance cost like?

Over a 5-year period, it costs RM 3,681.83 to maintain the City Hatchback RS. For comparison, that’s cheaper than the RM 3,931.84 required for the regular petrol version of the City Hatchback over the same period of time.

One of the biggest reason why the hybrid version of the City Hatchback is cheaper to maintain is because it doesn’t need any transmission fluid replacement within the first 5 years of its life.

Instead, the transmission fluid is only due at the 150,000 km or 90-month mark, costing just RM 74.73. The regular petrol version of the City Hatchback requires its CVT fluid replaced at every 40,000 km or 24 month interval, costing RM 104.75 each time.

What is the tyre cost?

The City Hatchback RS, as well as the 1.5 V variants, wear 185/55R16 tyres.

Depending on brand, each 16-inch tyre would cost anything between RM 220 to RM 300 a piece.

Is the City Hatchback a better buy than the City sedan?

Between the sedan and hatchback, it depends on what you're looking for in a car.

If you're looking for a quieter car, the City sedan would be a better option, thanks to having a separate cabin and boot compartments, which effectively masks out road and tyre noises.

With that said, the City Hatchback is the more practical opption as it offers Ultra seats, which can be a boon if you frequently transport tall or long items.

Also Read: Deciding between the Honda City Hatchback and Sedan? These are the compromises needed