Verdict
The Honda City is the sensible B-segment play: RM49,000 cheaper, lighter by 224 kg and with a larger 519-litre boot. The Honda Civic answers as the C-segment step-up, using the same 1,498 cc capacity but adding turbocharging for 180 hp and 240 Nm, so 0-100 km/h drops from 10.2 to 8.3 seconds. The gap buys more cabin length, a 2,735 mm wheelbase, multi-link rear suspension, rear discs, LED reflector headlamps and a much richer infotainment set-up.
Pick the Honda City if you want the lower entry price, rated 5.6 L/100 km economy and the bigger boot without giving up five seats, adaptive cruise or autonomous braking.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the stronger 180 hp turbo engine, quicker 8.3-second sprint and the C-segment chassis and cabin hardware.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Honda Civic RM133,900
- Output: Honda City 119 hp/145 Nm; Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Honda City 10.2 seconds; Honda Civic 8.3 seconds
- Size: Honda City 4,580 mm long, 2,600 mm wheelbase; Honda Civic 4,678 mm long, 2,735 mm wheelbase
- Boot and tank: Honda City 519 litres/40 litres; Honda Civic 497 litres/47 litres
- Rear hardware: Honda City torsion beam with drum brakes; Honda Civic multi-link with solid disc brakes
City
- Much lower purchase price
- Larger 519-litre boot
- Rated fuel economy of 5.6 L/100 km
- Far less power and torque than the Civic
- Slower 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Halogen projector headlamps and manual air-conditioning versus the Civic’s LED headlamps and automatic climate control
Civic
- Stronger 180 hp, 240 Nm turbo engine
- Longer 2,735 mm wheelbase
- Multi-link rear suspension and rear disc brakes
- RM49,000 higher purchase price
- Smaller 497-litre boot
- Heavier at 1,349 kg versus 1,125 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 84,900✓ | RM 133,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 180 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 240 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 8.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,349 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 497 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental MaxContact MC5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 | 5 Three-point |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map 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 Google Services Built-in, 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, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | 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 | RM 90 | RM 90 |
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.
City vs Civic FAQ
Is the Honda City or Honda Civic better?
The Civic is better for performance and C-segment hardware, with 180 hp, 240 Nm and multi-link rear suspension. The City is better value if you prioritise price, boot space and the listed 5.6 L/100 km economy.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM84,900, while the Honda Civic costs RM133,900. That makes the Civic RM49,000 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda City has the bigger boot at 519 litres. The Honda Civic has 497 litres, although it counters with a larger 47-litre fuel tank against the City’s 40 litres.