The launch of the 11th-generation Honda Civic is upon us. We can guess, because going by Honda Malaysia’s recent track record, it usually launches a car no more than a month after the first leg of media preview. Telltale signs would be marketing videos, and we’d wager you’ll see them cropping up in the next few days.
So far, we were only given access to the range-topping RS, which we know will get the revised 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine. It’s more powerful than what our Thai neighbours get, with outputs of 182 PS at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. An Earth Dreams CVT is standard, sending drive to the front wheels.
As it turns out, this mechanical configuration looks to be identical throughout the Civic FE range, if a leaked document is to be believed. Listed in the memo are three variants – 1.5 E, 1.5 V and 1.5 RS, all of which share the same engine, as well as the full range of Honda Sensing!
This is big news, because for the first time ever, the entire Civic range will ship with the automaker’s advanced driver assist system as standard, as is the case in Thailand. Features include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, lane keeping assist and automatic high beam.
That’s not all. Based on the RS we recently sampled, there’s also Lead Car Departure Notification System (new to the FE), which alerts the driver if the car in front is moving off from a stop. All variants appear to be fitted with six airbags, too, though the 1.5 E seems to be the only model without Honda LaneWatch. Honda Malaysia deserves some applause for always pushing the envelop, don’t you think?
Other standard features include remote engine start, LED lights with LED DRLs, front and rear parking sensors, single-zone climate control with rear air vents, a freestanding touchscreen display (presumably with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), electric parking brake with auto brake hold, and a handy function called Walk Away Auto Lock.
Compared to previous generations of the Civic, the FE range appears to present lesser compromises between the variants, especially regarding powertrain and safety features. Shoppers who are happy with the base model no longer have to worry about settling for the 1.8 litre NA engine. The most you’ll lose are the sportier cosmetic treatments, some nice-to-have conveniences, and maybe upholstery materials.
Besides that, Honda is also promising improvements such as a stiffer body structure, increased sound insulation and a retuned chassis that delivers better ride and handling balance. There’s also a new Sport mode, which sharpens the throttle and CVT response and adds more weight to the steering.
Seems like the company is starting the New Year on a high. If you’re keen to learn more about the Civic, you may read our initial impressions review, or watch the video version of it, below. So, what do you think? Will the Civic dominate the Malaysian C-segment market once again?
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since they drop the 1.8L, I guess the base model 1.5T will be higher and the RS variant will exceed RM140k.
C-segment sedan pricing ~150k is becoming a norm.
It’s a class below CR-V.
1.5T power also less than the CR-V
But the civic weights less than the CRV by a comfortable margin. So power to weight ratio, civic may still have the edge
As long as the Civic RS pricing doesn’t exceed the CRV 1.5T variant.
The ckd civic might follow accord by selling at cbu price to cover losing crv n hrv sales from x70 n x50
if they do, thats a SUICIDE.
Altis is Rm123-134k. So with better specs, CBU price might just work.
How to compare with altis is out dated engine NA…..where civic is turbo engine.
Common sense will tell Altis is far behind civic.
so got what diff between the 3?
Uncle design. The back light like vios
Check out year 2015 Hyundai Sonata…rear butt and tail lamps specifically!
It looks pretty good actually. Look nothing like Vios. Im staying in the US now. Able to see a few sedan version here.
Just ask your father to buy. You can go look for your boy racer from other manufacturers.
Honda is going after Uncle buyers because they have money.
Everybody gets it that you don’t like the car… so why are you here to diss it? This culture of hate is really getting on my nerves. You might not like it but others do. There’s no right or wrong. It’s just a matter of preference. Don’t forget that you will be an uncle one day.
Well said. If you don’t like it, just shut up and walk away. Do you know that by dissing the car, you are putting yourself above the designers in Japan and the US. That is pretty audacious.
I think the car looks more refined, much less pretentious, even vis a vis Altis. If you can’t appreciate it I think the problem is probably with you.
Earth Dream CVT? Not for me
So go for the V spec if you don’t wanna look like a boy racer since the kit is identical by the looks of it
Wouldn’t E spec variant be the most worth it since it will have just about everything from V spec just without Lanewatch which is useless in rainy weather or night time?
Give us blind spot monitoring and 360 degree parking system for V spec, instead of LaneWatch, detects only for passenger side but not for driver
If you read the article, neither V spec will get BLIS, only Lane Watch. E spec will make do with it.
LaneWatch and blind spot monitoring are blind spot information system. But blind spot monitoring is better than LaneWatch because blind spot monitoring is easy and detects both side while LaneWatch is difficult and only detects passenger side
If the spec for V variant based on the latest leak on one of the Civic FE forum is true, it will be a steal and set the bar higher for the non-luxury C segment.
The only difference with V spec variant is Lanewatch which is useless for rainy & night time, so E spec is the most valued for money there.
Give us blind spot monitoring and 360 degree parking system for V spec, instead of LaneWatch, detects only for passenger side but not for driver
Congratulation to Honda Malaysia again for making Malaysia the last country among ASEAN to launch your new product.
By the way stop boasting the extra few PS and start give us the 10″ instrument cluster and Bose sound system.
NO
Integra based-Civic looks beautiful. I don’t wan this type
I think we will see less civic with this coming in.
Accord body size
good option for uncle like me…
With its high price, it’s going to replace the Mazda 3 as a very rare c-segment sedan. The Mazda 3 on the other hand is going to die altogether.
Perfect Malaysia Taxi Red..
Only single-zone climate control for all variants? you sure or not?
look at it, not interested at all! Toyota Malaysia has overtaken Honda again in sales with the help of Yaris and Corolla Cross. Now, may be Altis will be popular again.
Altis will never be popular in numbers again with the C segment market here shrinking.
Corolla (no longer called Altis) is still not as popular although I do like its TNGA platform, the only drawback is the old engine.
It will be the Corolla Cross as the game changer for Toyota this year.
Starting from 13X? Ouchhh
Proton Saga?
Hoping and wishing a manual version to be released in Malaysia… it takes a miracle to happen but who knows right!
How to compare with altis is out dated engine NA…..where civic is turbo engine.
Common sense will tell Altis is far behind civic.