Verdict
At RM84,900, the Honda City is the sensible sedan: 119 hp, 145 Nm, 5.6 L/100 km and a 519-litre boot make it easier on cash and luggage. The RM399,900 Honda Civic Type R is a very different ask, with 315 hp, 420 Nm, a 6-speed manual and 5.5-second 0-100 km/h pace. Malaysia buyers are choosing between low running costs and five-seat practicality, or a Japan-built C-segment hatchback with real speed, wider 19-inch tyres and adaptive dampers.
Pick the Honda City if you want the cheaper five-seat sedan with a 519-litre boot, 5.6 L/100 km rating and RM90 road tax.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want 315 hp, 420 Nm, a 6-speed manual and 5.5-second 0-100 km/h pace more than boot space or a fifth seat.
Key differences
- Power: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm
- Acceleration/top speed: Honda City 10.2 seconds and 196 km/h; Honda Civic Type R 5.5 seconds and 272 km/h
- Transmission: Honda City CVT automatic; Honda Civic Type R 6-speed manual
- Size/weight: Honda City 4,580 mm long and 1,125 kg; Honda Civic Type R 4,593 mm long and 1,423 kg
- Cabin/boot: Honda City 5 seats and 519 litres; Honda Civic Type R 4 seats and 410 litres
- Road tax/fuel tank: Honda City RM90 per year and 40 litres; Honda Civic Type R RM378 per year and 47 litres
City
- Far cheaper to buy and tax
- 5.6 L/100 km rated fuel economy
- Five seats, rear air-con vents and a 519-litre boot
- 119 hp and 145 Nm are far behind the Honda Civic Type R’s 315 hp and 420 Nm
- 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Honda Civic Type R’s 5.5 seconds
- Rear drum brakes and torsion beam suspension are simpler than the Honda Civic Type R’s rear discs and multi-link setup
Civic Type R
- 315 hp, 420 Nm and 5.5-second 0-100 km/h pace
- 6-speed manual with 19-inch wheels and 265/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres
- Adaptive dampers, multi-link rear suspension and disc brakes all round
- RM315,000 dearer to buy and RM288 more in road tax per year
- Four seats and a 410-litre boot versus the Honda City’s five seats and 519 litres
- Tyre repair kit only, while the Honda City has a space-saver spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM399,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,996 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 315 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 9.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 5.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,593 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,407 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,734 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,423 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 410 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 265/30R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 265/30R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM378 |
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 City & Civic Type R for sale
City vs Civic Type R FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda Civic Type R better?
For most buyers, the Honda City is better because it costs much less, seats five and has the bigger boot. The Honda Civic Type R is better if performance and a manual gearbox matter more than price or practicality.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM315,000 more than the Honda City: RM399,900 against RM84,900.
Which is more practical for family use?
The Honda City. It has five seats to the Honda Civic Type R’s four, a 519-litre boot versus 410 litres, rear air-con vents and a space-saver spare instead of a tyre repair kit.