Skip to main content
Roda
Guides

Toyota Vios vs Honda City — Which Is Better in Malaysia?

· Roda Editorial · Updated

toyota vioshonda citycomparison

The Toyota Vios and the Honda City are B-segment sedans with 1.5-litre engines, sold in Malaysia across several generations, so the used market has examples at many ages and prices. Which one is "better" depends on the generation, the condition of the specific car and what you value. This guide compares them on the facts that matter when buying used: generations, drivetrains, warranty and what to check.

Generations on the used market

Toyota Vios

Based on paultan.org's model history:

  • 2013: third-generation Vios (NCP150).
  • 2016: update with a new engine and gearbox (NSP151), with facelifts in 2019 and 2020.
  • March 2023: the current Vios (NGC102).

Honda City

Based on Honda Malaysia's press releases and paultan.org:

  • 2014: sixth-generation City (GM6), facelifted in 2017.
  • October 2020: the current-generation City (GN2), facelifted in 2023 and again in 2026.

Drivetrains

Toyota Vios

  • Current petrol: 1.5-litre (2NR-VE, 1,496 cc) rated at 78 kW and 138 Nm, with a CVT, according to UMW Toyota's model page.
  • Current hybrid: UMW Toyota also lists a Vios hybrid with an E-CVT.
  • 2016 to early 2023: a 1.5-litre engine with a CVT, which replaced the earlier four-speed automatic, as reported at the time.

Honda City

  • Current petrol: 1.5-litre i-VTEC with a CVT, according to Honda Malaysia's specifications.
  • Current hybrid: the City e:HEV RS, with Honda's two-motor e:HEV system. See our hybrid guide.
  • 2014 to 2020 (GM6): a 1.5-litre i-VTEC with a CVT, according to Honda's launch release.

Both petrol versions use a 1.5-litre engine and a CVT, so road tax for a privately owned petrol saloon is the same band under JPJ's rate guide. Test drive both: they differ in seating position, steering feel, cabin noise and boot shape.

Warranty

As of October 2026, according to the brands' official pages:

Toyota (UMW Toyota)

  • 5 years, unlimited mileage, for passenger models.
  • UMW Toyota says the warranty is fully transferable to subsequent owners.
  • Servicing on schedule at a UMW Toyota service centre or appointed dealer is required. Its periodic maintenance page lists every 10,000 km or 6 months for normal use, and every 5,000 km or 3 months for severe conditions.

Honda Malaysia

  • 5 years, unlimited mileage.
  • The City's page also lists a service-activated warranty for years 6 to 8, covering the engine and transmission, with conditions.
  • From 1 May 2026, Honda Malaysia gives a 10-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid batteries, which it says covers existing e:HEV owners and subsequent owners up to year 10.
  • Honda's customer service page says preventive maintenance must follow its schedule at a Honda authorised dealer, and that the warranty is transferable if the car is still under warranty when sold.

Read the full terms on each brand's site. Conditions on servicing, parts and claims apply.

Recalls and service campaigns

Both brands have an online check by chassis number:

  • UMW Toyota's special service campaign page.
  • Honda Malaysia's product recall page, which covers product updates such as airbag replacement campaigns.

Run the check for any used Vios or City before you buy, and ask the seller for proof that open campaigns were done.

What to check on either car

  1. Paperwork: the name on the registration record matches the seller's IC, and the chassis and engine numbers match.
  2. Loan: any loan will be settled at transfer.
  3. Use: some have been used for e-hailing or in fleets. Check the mileage against the age and the wear on the driver's seat, steering wheel and pedals.
  4. CVT: pull away smoothly, without judder, whining or a delay before the car moves.
  5. Hybrid: on a hybrid, check that no hybrid system warnings show, and ask for a battery health check at an authorised centre.
  6. Body: look for repainted panels and uneven gaps.
  7. Air-conditioning: it should stay cold after fifteen minutes in traffic.
  8. Flood signs: silt or water marks under the carpets and in the boot.

Then book an inspection and complete the transfer. See our PUSPAKOM inspection guide and JPJ ownership transfer guide.

How to choose

  • Compare cars of the same generation and similar mileage, not the badges.
  • If the car is within the warranty period, check how much is left and whether it transfers to you.
  • If you want a hybrid, compare a City e:HEV and a Vios hybrid of similar age, and check battery health and warranty.
  • Choose the one with the better service history and condition.

Browse used Toyota Vios and used Honda City ads on Roda. For older or cheaper options, see used cars under RM30,000.

Sources

Toyota Vios

See all Toyota Vios

Related reading