Used Honda City vs Toyota Vios - For RM 80k - Which is the best starter family sedan for you?

UPDATE for July 2023: For a limited time period, CARSOME is offering an additional 1+1 year warranty for selected units of Honda City and Toyota Vios. Find out more here.

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In the battle of the B-Segment family sedan, two names reign supreme. For well over a decade, many car buyers moving on from their first car or ones that are starting a family would’ve likely have had to pick between the proven Honda City or Toyota Vios.

As the all-new 2023 Toyota Vios now takes centre stage, many great deals of the outgoing 'NSP 151' Toyota Vios, some of which are approximately three years old, are showing up on the used car market.

Also read: 2023 Toyota Vios (AC100) Review, a Significant Improvement with Minor Flaws

Just how good are these deals, or are you better off with its main rival, the Honda City? Let’s take a closer look.

Overview

Of course, there is no need to go into the details of the Honda City and Toyota Vios as they’re widely known and much loved by many Malaysian buyers.

Also read: Refueling and hypermiling banned: KL-Penang-KL with just 1 tank, can the hybrid Honda City e:HEV RS do it?

This article will focus on the 2020 and newer models of the (GN2) Honda City and (NSP 151) Toyota Vios and compare them like for like to see which suits you the best. We won't consider the two-motor full-hybrid Honda City RS i-MMD and concentrate on the more popular 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated S, E, and V variants. 

Starting off, here’s a snapshot of the specification sheet of both cars:

Powertrain and driving performance

In terms of performance, the Honda City is the more powerful car courtesy of its 120 PS 1.5-litre i-VTEC powerplant, however, you'd hardly say the Toyota Vios is lacking. Both the City and Vios, utilise CVT-type automatics which allow for smooth driving in the city and are well-adapted to longer journeys at sustained highway speeds. 

Also read: Used GM6 Honda City: From RM 47k, the B-segment sedan that's still relevant in 2023

In WapCar's 0-100 km/h test - the City 1.5 V completed the century sprint in 11.4 seconds, versus the Vios' 12.7 seconds, so yes if you're looking for more power, then the City is the quicker car. 

Fuel efficiency

Whilst the Honda City may have a performance advantage, both cars are much closer in terms of fuel efficiency.

During our internal tests, the City returned a slightly better average fuel usage of 6.3 litres/100km, whereas the Vios returned 6.8 litres/100km. Thus, regardless of choosing a City or Vios, you can be assured you'll enjoy approximately 450 - 500 km of driving range for a full tank. 

Interior space and creature comforts

When it comes to the interior, it's a toss-up between what matters to you as a buyer. The City offers a more spacious interior (especially at the rear), and a larger boot at 519 litres versus the Vios' 506 litres. 

Another drawback which may affect certain owners is the unavailability of telescopic steering adjustment. With that said, the Vios offers a more refined cabin and is quieter while on the move.

Also read: Used 3rd-gen Toyota Vios - 1NZ-FE vs 2NR-FE 1.5L, maintenance costs and which is best?

The Vios also offers a 360-degree camera (E and G variants) versus just a rear camera in the City, which will further ease parking. The City, on the other hand, offers rear seat AC vents, telescopic steering adjustment and a larger 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit (Grade E and V) versus the Vios' 6.8-inch unit. 

Therefore, the City is best for owners who require its larger interior and cargo space, whereas buyers who aren't too strict with space requirements but want quiet and refined cabinspace may be better suited with the Vios. 

Safety 

In terms of safety features, the Vios clearly takes the lead, as long as we aren't considering the City RS or City V Sensing (Apr 2022 onwards) variants which come equipped with the Honda Sensing ADAS suite.

The Vios offers 7 airbags versus the City's 6, whilst E and G variants of the Vios also offer Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). E and V variants. Whilst the City Grade V only adds Honda LaneWatch for the same price. 

The variant to buy and where to find it

At current prices, used 2020-or-newer units of the Honda City start off at approximately RM 80k whilst used Toyota Vios units start off at just over RM 70k.

Though both cars were closely priced when new, due to stronger demand the Honda City commands a slight price premium on the used car market. 

That said, if your budget allows, search for E and G variants of the Vios or E and V variants of the City for a good mix of overall value, creature comforts and safety items.

Although, if you'd be just as happy with an entry-level variant, then these will still do the job of being a great family sedan. 

Where to get the best deals? Well, look no further than Carsome, which offers a wide-ranging inventory of immaculate Honda City and Toyota Vios units for sale. All Vios and City units on sale are Carsome Certified, and thus offered with a 1-year warranty and a 5-day money-back guarantee.

Also be sure to check out other great Hari Raya deals on Carsome, which are offered with exclusive discounts of up to RM 9,500, free service and warranty packages, and attractive interest rates for a limited time only. Download the Carsome App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and start browsing today. 

Conclusion

As both models offer superb value, proven reliability and fuel economy, your choice will likely come down to how each car drives and is better suited to your needs. 

The Vios shines for its driving performance, refinement and additional safety features, not to mention a pretty stylish cockpit that manages to feel premium too. 

As for the City, choose it for its sublime space and comfortable cabin space. The City also offers more power and slightly better fuel efficiency and has a proven track record of offering stable resale even after many years of ownership. 

Overall, the 2019 Toyota Vios and the 2019 Honda City are excellent choices for Malaysians looking for a reliable and affordable used car. It's a good idea to test drive both models and compare them side by side to see which one best meets your specific needs and preferences.