Perodua Myvi vs Honda City Hatchback – Do you really need the H badge?

• Top-spec Perodua Myvi 1.5 AV offers similar features for less money
• Same money buys you only base spec Honda City Hatchback 1.5 S
• Do you choose between good features or the more powerful i-VTEC engine?

The two most anticipated models of this year, the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift and Honda City Hatchback have been introduced.

Although the 2022 Myvi is more expensive than ever (at just under RM 60k), it’s also the best it’s ever been.

Also read: Is RM 59k too expensive for the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift?

With the shift to the new D-CVT transmission, the Myvi is now faster, more refined and more economical than before.

Add to that, the Perodua Smart Drive Assist suite (AV variant) that adds a comprehensive suite of ADAS functions comparable to Honda Sensing.

On paper at least, it has features that rival the more expensive Honda City Hatchback and Toyota Yaris for much less money.

Also read: S and B mode in the new 2022 Perodua Myvi's CVT shifter. What's S and B for?

With deliveries of the City Hatchback due to begin next year, it begs the question, do you really need to spend more for the famed ‘H’ badge or can you be happy with ‘P’ badge and save quite a bit of money.

How do the spec sheets compare?

There are four variants of the 2022 Myvi facelift and City Hatchback respectively.

Prices range between RM 48k and RM 59k for the Myvi, and RM 76k to RM 88k for the City Hatchback.

Therefore, the cheapest City Hatchback is roughly RM 17k dearer than the most expensive Perodua Myvi.

Note, prices of the City Hatchback are estimates for now. Separately, the price of the range-topping City RS e:HEV Hatchback will be announced closer to delivery dates, slated for Q1 2022. 

How do they measure up?

Whilst the Myvi is no slouch and offers adequate headroom and legroom in both the front and back, the City Hatchback is the bigger car. 

A 2,600 mm wheelbase largely contributes to more rear legroom in the City Hatchback than the Myvi. 

Additionally, by raising the roof of the City Hatchback, and equipping it with the multi-way folding ULTRA Seats, Honda has managed to eek out even more space and practicality than even the City sedan model. 

But the Myvi isn't far behind, bradishing its own flexible seating arrangements that match three out of the four ULTRA seat configurations. 

Also read: The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift's seating configuration almost rivals City Hatchback's ULTRA Seats

Also read: Honda City Hatchback's ULTRA seats, as clever as the Jazz's, and still the segment's best

The only difference being the ULTRA seat's Tall Mode, which allows the seat bottom to be folded upwards to accomodate taller items. 

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

On paper at least, the Myvi is more than a match

Whilst there’s logical and intangible reasons such as looks, driving feel, and prestige which would make one choose the City Hatchback over 2022 Myvi – this comparison simply looks at the spec and price differences between cheapest City Hatchback Grade S, and the range-topping Myvi 1.5 AV.

This is how the City Hatchback Grade S fares against the Myvi 1.5 AV.

Performance - very closely matched

The proven 1.5-litre i-VTEC powertrain of the City Hatchback beats the Myvi in terms of power and torque, offering a substantial 18 PS and 8 Nm more than the Myvi's 2NR-VE engine. 

However, the City Hatchback is also 116 kgs heavier, therefore the power-to-weight ratio of the Myvi isn't far off: 9.9 kg/PS versus 9.1 kg/PS in the City Hatchback.

Elsewhere, the new D-CVT transmission has greatly improved the acceleration and fuel economy of the Myvi. 

Also read: With CVT, the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is just as quiet as the Ativa!

In our tests, the Myvi returned a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 10.76 seconds (close to Perodua's claim of 10.2 seconds) whilst the fuel economy rating of 6.4-litres/100km is equally impressive. 

Whilst we don't have ratings for the City Hatchback yet, the City sedan completed the 0-100 km/h sprint in 11.4 seconds, and returned an overall economy 6.3-litres/100km.

Therefore we expect the City Hatchback and 2022 Myvi Facelift to be very close in terms of overall performance and fuel economy.

Note though, these comparisons only apply for the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, the City RS' full-hybrid i-MMD powertrain is another story altogether. 

Safety - the Myvi is miles ahead

It's a pretty much clear-cut win for the Myvi in terms of active and passive safety. 

The City Hatchback is offered with four airbags in the S and E variants, only the Grade V and RS offer six airbags. 

Whereas for the Myvi, the lower rung 1.3 H and 1.5 X variants are equipped with four airbags, the 1.5 H and AV receive a total of six airbags.

The new Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) suite is the umbrella term for all the ADAS features of the new Myvi Facelift.

The Myvi 1.5 AV is supplied with Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) - putting it on par with the larger Ativa. 

The well-known Honda Sensing ADAS suite offers similar features as the PSDA, but its only offered in the range-topping RS, which likely will cost above RM 100k.

At approximately RM 88k, the Grade V only offers Honda Lanewatch, which offers a camera view of the passenger side when switching lanes. 

LaneWatch is more effective than a BSM indicator (on the passenger side) in low-light / rainy conditions, but for the most part, it cannot make up for the lack of other features such as AEB and LKA. 

Wapcar's take - it's a case of logic versus emotion

Say what you will, but buying a Honda is an apsirational goal for many Malaysians and therefore an RM 17k premium over the better equipped Myvi might be a small price to pay for the prestige of the 'H' badge.

With that said, with Perodua throwing the proverbial kitchen sink of convenience and safety features at the Myvi, it is the clear winner in terms of overall value for money. 

Heck, forget the City Hatchback, for RM 60k, it has better safety features than ever some BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.

Therefore its a case of mind over heart, or the other way around when it comes to the final purchase decision. 

Both the Myvi and City Hatchback will offer a good ownership experience, and it's much the same with resale value. 

The Myvi and City have amongst the strongest resale value of any vehicle in Malaysia, should you choose to upgrade later on. 

Also read: 2022 Perodua Myvi 1.5L CVT has lower fuel consumption than our Ativa

Also read: Launched in Malaysia, 2022 Honda City Hatchback fights Yaris, est. price from RM 76k