Verdict
These two C-segment cars serve sharply different Malaysian buyers. At RM399,900, the Civic Type R costs RM161,012 more, but its 315 hp, 420 Nm turbo 2.0 litre and six-speed manual cut the 0-100 km/h time to 5.5 seconds, against 8.3 seconds for the A-Class Sedan’s 161 hp 1.33 litre and 7G-DCT. The Mercedes is the easier daily proposition: five seats, a 420-litre boot, power front seats with memory and active parking assist. The Honda answers with adaptive dampers, multi-link rear suspension, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if 315 hp, a six-speed manual, 5.5-second 0-100 km/h pace and adaptive-damper chassis matter more than RM161,012.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if you want the RM238,888 price, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, five seats and power front seats with memory.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888.
- Output: Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 161 hp and 270 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic Type R 5.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 8.3 seconds.
- Transmission: Honda Civic Type R six-speed manual; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan seven-speed 7G-DCT automatic.
- Rear suspension: Honda Civic Type R multi-link with adaptive dampers; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan torsion beam with comfort lowered suspension.
- Practicality: Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has five seats and a 420-litre boot.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp and 420 Nm deliver a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive dampers and multi-link rear suspension.
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and lane-keeping steering correction.
- RM161,012 more expensive.
- Six-speed manual is less convenient than the Mercedes’ 7G-DCT automatic.
- Four seats and 410 litres of boot space, versus five seats and 420 litres.
A-Class Sedan
- RM161,012 lower purchase price.
- Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, plus paddle shifts.
- Power front seats with memory and Active Parking Assist.
- 161 hp and 270 Nm, well below the Honda’s 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.8 seconds slower.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension and no lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM238,888✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp✓ | 161 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 270 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds✓ | 8.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,549 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Comfort Lowered Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, 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 | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, 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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Active Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM70✓ |
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 Civic Type R & A-Class Sedan for sale
Civic Type R vs A-Class Sedan FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan better?
The Civic Type R is better for outright pace and driver involvement, with 315 hp, 420 Nm, a manual gearbox and 5.5-second 0-100 km/h. The A-Class Sedan is better for lower-cost automatic daily use, rear-seat capacity and parking convenience.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM399,900 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM238,888. The difference is RM161,012 in favour of the Mercedes.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is more practical on the numbers: it seats five and has a 420-litre boot. The Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot, though it has five doors to the Mercedes’ four.