Confirmed: the 2021 Honda City RS costs more than a Proton X50 Flagship
When Honda Malaysia first launched the fifth-generation City last year, it paraded an all-new range topper in the form of the City RS e:HEV, which was making its global debut at the time. However, the hybrid variant was not immediately available for sale at launch, with official pricing slated for a later date.
After securing 20,000 bookings for the all-new City, with over 13,1000 units delivered since launch, Honda Malaysia finally has a concrete number to put to the B-segment sedan which became the "torque of the town" with a combined 253Nm of twist. The City RS e:HEV now officially retails for RM105,950 on-the-road without insurance, after SST exemption. This makes it a cool RM19k pricier than the highest-spec petrol variant (City 1.5 V). It's even more expensive than the Proton X50 Flagship, which goes for RM103,300.
As eye-opening as the numbers are, the Honda City RS e:HEV is considerably more sophisticated than its siblings, peers and rivals on strict petrol diets. Its dual -motor i-MMD architecture is employed in more advanced Honda hybrids while the range-topping City also marks the official entry of Honda Connect, and all the multimedia connectivity it brings with it, into the Malaysian market. Honda Sensing, which was a revelation in mainstream safety just a few years ago, is also part of the package.
All of the extra tech and the additional cost they command make the 2021 Honda City RS e:HEV the most expensive B-segment sedan currently on sale in Malaysia, with the C-segment being within close touching distance; a Civic 1.8 is only marginally more expensive at RM109,327. Honda Malaysia's MD and CEO, Toichi Ishiyama somewhat concurs as he describes the brand's latest offering as "an overall package that is beyond the B-segment".
Do you agree?