Verdict
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM440,990 to the Honda Civic Type R’s RM399,900, but its RM41,090 premium buys a five-seat cabin, 480-litre boot, quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Type R is the harder-edged choice: 315 hp and 420 Nm beat the Audi’s 249 hp and 370 Nm, while 5.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 272 km/h narrowly better 5.6 seconds and 250 km/h. For Malaysian daily use, the Audi’s extra rear seat, 70-litre larger boot and automatic transmission make the stronger case; the Honda brings more pace and driver assistance hardware.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you need five seats, a 480-litre boot and all-wheel-drive automatic convenience.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if 315 hp, a six-speed manual and adaptive cruise control matter more than rear-seat capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; Honda Civic Type R RM399,900.
- Output: Audi A5 Sportback 249 hp and 370 Nm; Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Audi A5 Sportback all-wheel drive with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; Honda Civic Type R front-wheel drive with six-speed…
- Performance: Audi A5 Sportback 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 250 km/h; Honda Civic Type R 5.5 seconds and 272 km/h.
- Practicality: Audi A5 Sportback has five seats and a 480-litre boot; Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot.
- Driver assistance: Audi A5 Sportback has passive cruise control and no autonomous braking listed; Honda Civic Type R has adaptive cruise control with low-speed…
A5 Sportback
- Five seats and a 480-litre boot
- All-wheel drive with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
- 12-way powered front seats, driver memory and rear climate control
- RM41,090 dearer
- 249 hp and 370 Nm trail the Type R’s 315 hp and 420 Nm
- No autonomous braking or collision warning listed
Civic Type R
- 315 hp, 420 Nm and a 272 km/h top speed
- Adaptive dampers and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
- Four seats and a 410-litre boot
- Front-wheel drive and six-speed manual only
- Manual front-seat adjustment and no rear air-conditioning listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,990 | RM399,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM378 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,996 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp | 315 hp✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 9.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Honda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,593 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,407 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,734 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,423 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 410 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 265/30R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 265/30R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used A5 Sportback & Civic Type R for sale
A5 Sportback vs Civic Type R FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Honda Civic Type R better?
The Audi A5 Sportback is better for five-up practicality and automatic all-wheel-drive use, with five seats and a 480-litre boot. The Honda Civic Type R is better for outright performance, producing 315 hp and 420 Nm versus 249 hp and 370 Nm.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM41,090 more than the Honda Civic Type R.
Which has more passenger and luggage space?
The Audi A5 Sportback does. It seats five and has a 480-litre boot, against the Honda Civic Type R’s four seats and 410-litre boot.