The word “average” is often tossed around with some sort of negativity for being boring or as something that just sits in the middle. In an era where everyone must choose a side, being a fence-sitter shouldn’t often be seen as a bad decision.

After all, it’s good to embrace normalcy and live through a routine since too much spice in life may lead to more problems in the long run. The Honda City might seem like a cautious choice of car but many Malaysians embrace it for a reason - it just works.

3 years after the fifth-generation GN City was launched here, Honda Malaysia introduced a very subtle facelift in August 2023. Even if nothing stands out from an enthusiast’s point of view, the general Malaysian buyer would still consider getting one.

The average Malaysian would prioritise fuel economy and practicality which on the City RS e:HEV, does exceedingly well in those regards. Normal is the safe word for most buyers who just want a car that offers no drama while also being equipped with the latest features.

While the City might sound like an obvious choice, it is being threatened by the likes of the Toyota Vios and the larger, similarly-priced Proton S70. Both the Vios and the City are also competing to see which would become Malaysia’s best-selling non-Malaysian car of 2023, so can the Honda sedan still prove itself beyond popular support?

Also read: 2023's TIV set to cross 780k unit sales milestone, new record

Looks are not entirely deceiving

If the City were to enter a beauty contest featuring the B-segment sedan players, it wouldn’t stand a chance. The underappreciated Nissan Almera gets my vote but most Malaysians would probably admire the City’s junior Civic design.

The facelift isn’t dramatic with new front and rear bumpers that add a bit more sportiness, especially on the RS variant. Given that some City owners would eventually add their own visual embellishments later, Honda has already given some head start on further “improving” their rides.

Additionally, the City RS variant is available as a petrol or a petrol-electric hybrid. Both receive new dual-tone 16-inch wheels, lower bumper garnish, and a rear trunk spoiler. The only visual difference between the two is the blue Honda badge on the hybrid.

Also read: Sensing as standard, new RS petrol variant: 2023 Honda City facelift launched in Malaysia, from RM 85k

Inside, the facelifted City retains the same design as the pre-facelift and here is where the Honda really excels. The dashboard layout is completely fuss-free with the use of simple knobs to adjust the climate control and chunky buttons on the steering wheel.

Also read: 2023 Honda City facelift - Let us walk you through the differences on the 5 variants

Those knobs also give a satisfying click as you rotate through the fan speed or adjust the temperature which turns blue when cooling down or red as you increase it.

It’s a nice little touch that elevates the otherwise routine activity but I highly doubt most people would get excited over the changing colours of the dial as I did.

While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as standard on all variants except for the base S, both the petrol and hybrid RS variants are the only ones offered with wireless function.

It might seem like a shame that wireless charging is absent on even the top-spec variants of the City, given that the feature is offered on the Vios but having driven a few modern cars with that feature, it seems more redundant given that only a small percentage is charged up.

Besides, when not in use, it can't be used for storage since the charger could heat up cards and metal objects. Good thing the City comes standard with 4 USB charging ports – 2 USB-A ports in front and 2 USB-C ports in the back.

The rear is really where the City has the upper hand with ample legroom that even tall folks wouldn’t have an issue with. 60:40 rear folding seats are offered on all variants of the City for longer items.

Boot volume in the City RS e:HEV is smaller (410 litres) than the petrol-powered variants (519 litres) but that is impressive nevertheless. Besides the smaller boot, the hybrid City also doesn’t come with a spare wheel like the others and only offers a tyre repair kit.

Unlike the Vios, the removal of the spare tyre isn't to save cost and weight. This compromise is due to the lithium-ion battery that helps to juice up the front-mounted electric motors. However, the hybrid powertrain presents an outstanding case to get one in 2024.

Also read: Answering your questions about the 2023 Toyota Vios - Why omit spare tyre, folding seats?

Money-saving method (In the long run)

One of the biggest talking points just a week into 2024 is the implementation of the Central Database System (PADU). Besides being the central database system for the Malaysian population, PADU’s role is towards a more targeted distribution of subsidies.

Also read: Tool to implement targeted fuel subsidy, PADU, launches today

During the tabling of Budget 2024 at Parliament, it was revealed that almost RM 81 billion had been spent on subsidies alone in 2023, far exceeding the RM 64 billion allocated for Budget 2023. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who also serves as Finance Minister announced that a trial for a new targeted subsidy would be implemented in 2024 for diesel.

Also read: Budget 2024 on subsidies reform: RON 95 petrol safe for now, diesel and EV users targeted but solar incentives extended

While the price of subsidized RON 95 will be kept this year at RM 2.05 per litre, for how long will the subsidies continue is really anyone’s guess. Malaysia’s price of RON 95 is ranked among the cheapest in the world, even cheaper than oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

Hence, hybrid vehicles make more fuel-saving sense over EVs and the City RS e:HEV is one of the most affordable hybrid cars on sale. Yes, that RM 111,900 price tag might sound scary to most but it offers great fuel efficiency and performance that is on par with 2.0-litre-powered cars.

During the New Year weekend, I decided to travel back to my hometown in Johor with the hybrid City and clocked around 500 km of mileage. In the end, I returned 4.88 L/100 km or 20.4 km/L which is not that far off from the City’s trip computer readings.

What is impressive though is that all those 500 km of mileage used up around half the fuel tank. When my colleagues took charge of the pre-facelift City e:HEV RS, they also achieved similarly impressive results.

Paying 6-figures for a City might sound absurd to a lot of people but when you’re spending less money on petrol while getting a lot more power, it does make some sense. Even more so when the discussion of targeted fuel subsidies comes into play.

That’s not to say the City RS e:HEV is the variant to get – we have a guide on which variant is the right City for you. Few average Malaysians could probably spend that much for one and there’s really nothing wrong if you decide on the petrol variants.

Besides, with the introduction of the RS Petrol in the facelift, there is now another option to get the “Road Sailing” treatment.

Also read: Facelifted 2023 Honda City in Malaysia: Summary of differences between the 5 variants, we select the best choice for you

Life on the average side

As great as the City RS e:HEV is during the economy runs, it doesn’t quite stir up the hearts of enthusiasts when compared to the Toyota Vios. The steering is light but vague and doesn’t quite inspire confidence around corners but if you’re seeking the City as some kind of fun runabout, you’re looking at it wrongly.

Also read: Review: 2023 Toyota Vios (AC100) - It came, it saw, it conquered? Almost...

From the point of Average Joe and Jane, the City just works during the daily commute where 0-100 km/h times are irrelevant. Still, the powerplant (1.5L NA output: 98 PS/127 Nm, 2 electric motors: 109 PS/253 Nm) is responsive enough that overtaking and cruising on the fast lane feels effortless.

The light steering wheel also makes manoeuvring around a cinch. Whether it is tight U-turns or corners, it is relatively easy to move around and the same goes for parking as well.

While the City is also the king of practicality and space, it is not the most comfortable in its class. That belongs to the Almera but the City easily falls in between both its core rivals in terms of comfort. In other words, it’s average.

But here’s the thing about being the average kid in the group; when something exceptional pops out, that trait becomes the entire talking point. The City has average written all over it from its looks to its handling to its comfort, but with the i-MMD hybrid system, it becomes exceptionally efficient.

The only hybrid that comes close in its price range (aside from the City Hatchback RS e:HEV) is the Perodua Ativa Hybrid but that is only available for lease. Besides, the City in both petrol and hybrid versions offer unbeatable practicality among B-segment sedans.

The latest facelift also offers Honda Sensing as standard across the variants, giving the City additional brownie points when it comes to advanced safety features.

Also read: Is the 2023 Honda City facelift still the safest B-segment sedan you can buy in Malaysia today?

Though it is pretty much the antithesis of driving excitement, the Honda City is a brilliant daily driver. You can have some fun with a weekend car but as you toil through the traffic jams amidst all the hustle and bustle of life 5 days of the week, all you really need is something drama-free.