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

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The brand-new D74A 2023 Perodua Axia may be the hottest car at the moment, owing to its superb value-for-money proposition, but if you need a larger car at the same price, why not take a look at a used GM6 Honda City?

Over on CARSOME, a used GM6 Honda City is priced from the RM 47k mark, right smack into the D74A Perodua Axia’s price range.

Overview

The GM6 Honda City made its debut in Malaysia back in 2014, with 4 variants offered at launch, namely the S, S+, E, and V. Regardless of variant, the GM6 Honda City is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre L15Z 4-cylinder petrol engine that does 120 PS and 145 Nm, mated to a CVT-type automatic transmission.

Honda Malaysia then debuted the facelifted GM6 City in 2017, giving its popular B-segment sedan a much-needed nip-and-tuck, including revised looks and a longer equipment list.

Crucially, the 2017 update also saw the introduction of the GM7 City Hybrid, powered by Honda’s previous generation i-DCD petrol-electric parallel-hybrid system. The combined system output for the GM7 Honda City Hybrid is 137 PS and 170 Nm.

Further differentiating the GM7 City Hybrid from the regular petrol GM6 City is the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Which variant to get?

In the case of the pre-facelift GM6 Honda City, the best variant to get would be the 1.5 V, as it is the only variant to offer features like dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, cruise control, leather steering wheel, soft touch dashboard, automatic air-conditioning, 8 speakers, and crucially, 6 airbags.

It’s a similar story with the facelifted GM6 Honda City – opt for the top-spec 1.5 V where possible. The facelifted 1.5 V added several nice-to-have features, like LED headlights, LED front fog lights, LED tail lights, revised 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and leather upholstery.

But if maximum fuel efficiency is what you’re after, then the GM7 City Hybrid is where it’s at. Owners of the GM7 City Hybrid have reported getting fuel consumption figures that range between 5-litre/100 km (20 km/L) to 3.3-litre/100 km (30 km/L).

Common problems?

For the most part, the GM6 Honda City is a reliable little workhorse, though there are certain niggles to keep an eye out for.

If the used units you’re looking at has clocked past the 100,000 km mark, keep an eye (and ear) out for noises coming from the suspension. There are also reports of the front lower arm deteriorating around the 120,000 km mark, so replace the lower arms if vibrations are noticeable.

Another common issue with the GM6 Honda City is the steering rack. Many owners have reported of steering noises when the steering wheel is rotated at lower speeds or when the car is stationary. For units less than 5 years old, replacing the steering rack can be done under warranty, but if the car you’re looking at isn’t covered under the manufacturer warranty, expect to pay close to RM 2,000 for a brand-new steering rack.

Then there’s the GM7 City Hybrid. Despite our hot climate, cases of inverter failures are far and between. There are outlier cases in which the inverter failed, but no owners had to repair theirs outside of the warranty period.

As for battery replacement cost, Honda Malaysia stated that it costs roughly RM 5,500 to replace the Lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid battery is covered by an 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Conclusion

Just like when it was brand-new, a used GM6 Honda City also offers a lot of value for money. Opt for a newer unit and you still have Honda Malaysia’s manufacturer warranty intact.

The GM7 City Hybrid, despite being one generation older, is still a very capable alternative.

Plus, a good deal is always made sweeter when there's discounts and offers to be had. From 17- to 19-March, head down to CARSOME Automall PJ for CARSOME Autofair 2023! Nab yourself up to RM 8,000 in discounts, longer warranties and free services, on top of special offers at CARSOME Service Centres too.

Register here to enjoy all the benefits and more.