After months of teasers, the Honda City Hatchback – which is replacing the Honda Jazz for the Malaysian market – has finally been launched in Malaysia. Just like its sedan sibling, four different variants of the B-segment hatchback are offered here, including the highest-end RS e:HEV hybrid model.

First, let’s talk prices. The most affordable S variant of the City Hatchback costs RM75,670, while the mid-tier E model is priced at RM83,080. As for the V trim – the range-topping petrol variant – it goes for RM87,860. Do note that these prices are with sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022.

Unfortunately, the highest-end RS e-HEV hybrid model will only be available here sometime in early 2022, so we’ll only know how much this trim costs once it is launched then.

Anyway, as its name suggests, the City Hatchback is basically the hatchback version of the City sedan, so both models are quite similar to each other. The petrol variants, for one, are powered by the same 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine that outputs 121PS and 145Nm of torque. It is paired to a CVT gearbox, with drive sent to the front wheels.

The City Hatchback RS, on the other hand, features a Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain that delivers 109PS and 253Nm of torque out of an electric motor; this is what powers the car most of the time. The RS has a 1.5L engine too that does 98PS and 127Nm of torque, but it mainly acts as a generator for the electric motor. The 1.5L mill is only used at higher speeds.

It’s also worth noting that the City Hatchback RS is the only model to get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety system. It’s made up of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

But what really sets the City Hatchback apart from the City sedan are the ULTRA seats, the signature feature of the Jazz. Thanks to this ingenious seat design, you can fold the seats down (flat) or completely flipped up to accommodate cargos of different shapes and sizes.

If the Honda City Hatchback piqued your interest, you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to place a booking. Alternatively, can also book it online here, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.