More Car Prices Increased Due to Inflation – Kia, Honda, Mitsubishi

The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is currently suffering with poor performance, even when compared against other regional currencies. This substantial drop in performance, unfortunately, has prompted several automakers to increase their models’ prices in order to cope with these losses.

Among the biggest victims of this sudden inflationary is Honda Malaysia, who are forced to increase the prices of their three core models – the Honda City Hatchback, Honda HR-V, and Honda Civic. 

Fortunately, the range-topping Honda City Hatchback e:HEV RS price remains unaffected

Starting off with the former, all variants of the City Hatchback have increased by RM300, with the exception of the range-topping e:HEV RS hybrid variant. These adjustments see the baseline City Hatchback 1.5L S variant increased to RM78,900 (previously RM78,600), while the mid-spec 1.5L E variant now priced at RM86,900 (previously RM86,600). The two V variants – the 1.5L V and 1.5L V-Sensing – are now priced at RM91,900 (previously RM91,600) and RM95,900 (previously RM95,600) respectively.

Honda Civic FE 1.5L Turbo RS

Just like the City Hatchback, all Honda Civic FE variants prices – except for the e:HEV RS hybrid one – are now up by RM1,200. This puts the baseline 1.5L E Civic priced at RM131,900 (previously RM130,700), the mid-spec 1.5L V at RM144,900 (previously RM143,700), while the 1.5L RS now retailed at RM151,900 (previously RM150,700).

The 'new' Honda Civic FE e:HEV RS retains its launching price tag

As for the range-topping Civic FE 2.0L e:HEV RS, its price remains unchanged at RM166,500 – the same price when it was launched last year.

Honda HR-V 1.5L Turbo V

Moving to the Honda HR-V, all variants of this B-SUV have increased by RM1,100, which puts the baseline 1.5L S trimline priced at RM115,900 (previously RM114,800). Meanwhile, the two turbocharged variants – 1.5L Turbo E and 1.5L Turbo V – are now increased to RM130,900 (previously RM129,800) and RM135,900 (previously RM134,800) respectively.

Honda HR-V e:HEV RS

Unlike the Civic and City Hatchback, the range-topping HR-V e:HEV RS hybrid has also increased in price, now at RM141,900 compared to its original price tag of RM140,800).

Moving to another Japanese brand, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has revised the prices for the Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck for the second time this year, with the first one being earlier in April 2023. Depending on the variant, the Triton’s prices increased by around RM2,500 to RM5,000.

Mitsubishi Triton Quest 4x2 M/T

The sole Triton Quest 4x2 M/T variant has increased by RM2,500, which is now priced at RM86,390 (previously RM83,890). Meanwhile, the the baseline Triton 4x4 M/T is now priced at RM109,000 (previously RM105,500), while its A/T twin commands a higher price tag of RM112,890 (previously RM109,990) – increasing RM3,500 and RM2,900 respectively.

Mitsubishi Triton VGT Premium (left) & Athlete (right)

Moving to the two Premium variants, the M/T Premium is now priced at RM121,200 (RM2,500 increase, previously RM118,700), while the A/T Premium fetched a higher price of RM134,900 (RM5,000 increase, previously RM129,900). As for the range-topping Triton Athlete, this variant suffered the highest price increase of RM5,000, making it now priced at RM154,900 (previously RM149,900).

Kia EV6 GT

The final car brand that succumbed to this inflationary pressure (for now) is Kia – the sole South Korean entrant on this list. Fresh from launching its second-ever EV model – the Kia Niro EV – Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto Alliance and sole distributor of Kia car brands in Malaysia have increased the price for the Kia EV6 GT.

Fully-imported (CBU) from South Korea, the Malaysian-spec EV6 GT is now priced at RM319,668 – which is about RM19,000 more expensive than before.

Bermaz Auto's executive chairman Dato' Sri Ben Yeoh (third from left)

Aside from this hike, the automaker also warned of the possibility for further price hikes for other Kia models, citing the automotive sector’s supply chain issues being the main driving factor, with the underperforming Ringgit being a secondary factor. This revelation is confirmed by Bermaz Auto’s executive chairman Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, who spoke during the Niro EV launch this morning.

“Yes (price hikes for other models), but it's mainly due to supply chain and less about our currency. It's affecting everyone in the industry as well, not just us,” said Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh.