Proton S70 vs Honda City: More power for RM21,100 less, so what's the catch?

At the Proton showroom, there is a sedan bearing a price tag of RM68,800, packing 181 PS and 290 Nm under the bonnet with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of 7.5 seconds.

At the Honda showroom, the entry-level City 1.5 E costs RM89,900, its engine pushing 121 PS and 145 Nm, taking just over 10 seconds from 0 km/h to 100 km/h. That represents a price gap of RM21,100.

However, the math is far from a simple tally. The official fuel consumption of the City e:HEV RS is rated at 3.6 litres per 100 km, whereas the turbocharged S70 claims 5.7 litres per 100 km.

If you clock over 20,000 km annually, the fuel savings from the City Hybrid over five years could recoup a sizeable chunk of that price difference. The real dilemma comes down to this: what makes more financial sense – the upfront savings at the point of purchase, or spending more on fuel year after year?

Specification Comparison

Note: Proton S70 Executive price includes an RM5,000 rebate, applicable to the first 2,000 customers who register before 31 March 2026.

Performance

The S70 Executive is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder i-GT turbo engine producing 181 PS and 290 Nm, mated to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.

This powerplant replaces the previous 3-cylinder MPI unit, consigning the older 150 PS and 226 Nm output to the history books.

In contrast, the petrol City uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine pushing 121 PS and 145 Nm through a CVT, with a 0-100 km/h time of just over 10 seconds. That is a massive torque deficit of 145 Nm and an acceleration gap of nearly three seconds.

The effortless punch of the S70 when pulling away in city traffic or overtaking on the highway is something the petrol City simply cannot deliver. Delivering 290 Nm of torque in a car priced under RM70,000 is an offer unmatched in the Malaysian market.

However, the City e:HEV RS is a completely different proposition. Its electric drive motor churns out 109 PS and 253 Nm, providing instantaneous off-the-line throttle response that feels even nippier than the S70 in stop-and-go urban traffic.

An official fuel consumption figure of 3.6 litres per 100 km works out to under RM0.09 per km, whereas the S70 Turbo, calculated at 5.7 litres per 100 km, costs around RM0.13 per km. Covering 20,000 km a year, the City Hybrid can save you roughly RM800 annually on fuel alone.

If your annual mileage is moderate, the S70's power advantage is a tangible perk you will enjoy every single day. If you clock upwards of 20,000 km each year, the City Hybrid's fuel efficiency will steadily accumulate into meaningful savings.

Dimensions

The S70 measures 4,602 mm in length versus the City's 4,589 mm – a slight 13 mm advantage. In terms of wheelbase, the S70 stands at 2,627 mm compared to the City's 2,600 mm, an extra 27 mm. Side by side, these differences are practically imperceptible without a measuring tape.

Boot space on the S70 is rated at 500 litres, while the petrol City offers 519 litres, dropping to around 410 litres on the hybrid variant due to battery packaging.

The petrol City actually provides 19 litres more cargo room than the S70, whereas the City Hybrid is 90 litres smaller. For families who regularly haul bulky luggage, this difference warrants consideration.

Where the S70 truly pulls ahead is cabin width. At 1,809 mm wide, the S70 is 61 mm wider than the City (1,748 mm). When carrying three adults abreast in the rear seats, that extra 61 mm makes a noticeable difference.

The S70 delivers the shoulder room of a proper family sedan, while the City feels more compact.

Equipment

The S70 Flagship, priced at RM84,800 after rebate, comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera system, a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster, six airbags, and a full Level 2 ADAS suite featuring 13 active safety functions.

By comparison, the City 1.5 E at RM89,900 settles for an 8-inch infotainment display, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch multi-info display, fabric upholstery, and 15-inch alloy wheels.

However, the full Honda Sensing active safety suite comes standard, bringing full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist to the table.

To match the S70's equipment levels in the City, you would need to step up to the 1.5 V (RM94,900) for wireless CarPlay and a larger display, or the RS variant (RM99,900) for a 360-degree camera.

In short, matching the kit level of the S70 Flagship requires pushing your City budget to roughly the RM100,000 threshold.

Ownership

Over a five-year period, total scheduled maintenance for the S70 Turbo stands at approximately RM4,893.16, compared to around RM4,295.62 for the petrol City. The City works out to be roughly RM598 cheaper. While the difference is modest, the Honda proves more economical to maintain.

On the depreciation front, the S70 holds an estimated 3-year resale value of 71.6%, against the City's 72.2%. With a minimal gap of just 0.6 percentage points, the S70 holds its own remarkably well.

Given that the City carries an upfront price premium of RM21,100, an equivalent percentage of depreciation means a City owner loses a larger sum in absolute ringgit terms. Viewed from this angle, the S70's total cost of ownership looks even more compelling.

In terms of warranty coverage, the S70 comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty along with 6 times free labour servicing.

The City historically offered a standard 5-year unlimited mileage package, but Honda Malaysia has upgraded coverage for all newly registered units from 1 September 2026 to an 8-year unlimited mileage warranty, while retaining 5 times free labour servicing.

Verdict

If your budget is capped around RM70,000, you crave strong performance, your annual mileage is modest, and your daily driving mainly consists of city commutes with occasional interstate road trips, the S70 Executive at RM68,800 is hard to beat.

It delivers 181 PS, 290 Nm, a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time, and a 500-litre boot – figures that the same budget cannot match anywhere in the City range.

If you want the full-fat tech experience, the S70 Flagship X at RM89,800 (with rebate) adds a 12.3-inch wireless screen, 360-degree camera, and full ADAS, offering a level of equipment a tier above the similarly priced City 1.5 E.

On the other hand, if you clock over 20,000 km annually, prioritise rock-bottom running costs, and value a mature after-sales network, the City e:HEV RS at RM111,900 is worth a look. While it commands an RM22,100 premium over the top-spec S70, its 3.6 L/100 km fuel economy can save you roughly RM800 annually, recouping around RM4,000 over five years.

The City also boasts lower servicing costs, backed by Honda's decades of brand equity and comprehensive service network across Malaysia that Proton cannot immediately eclipse.