Verdict
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM399,900, RM36,012 more than the RM363,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA, but brings 315 hp and 420 Nm against 302 hp and 400 Nm, plus a 272 km/h top speed. It is also 257 kg lighter at 1,423 kg. The AMG GLA counters with a quicker 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. For Malaysian buyers carrying people and gear, its five seats, 435-litre boot and rear air vents are more useful than the Type R's four seats and 410 litres.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want the stronger 315 hp/420 Nm powertrain, a six-speed manual and 272 km/h top speed.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if you want all-wheel drive, a 5.2-second sprint, five seats and SUV practicality for RM36,012 less.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA RM363,888.
- Performance: Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 302 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic Type R 5.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 5.2 seconds.
- Driveline and gearbox: Honda Civic Type R front-wheel drive, six-speed manual; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA all-wheel drive, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- Weight: Honda Civic Type R 1,423 kg; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 1,680 kg.
- Practicality: Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA has five seats and a 435-litre boot.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp and 420 Nm, versus 302 hp and 400 Nm.
- 257 kg lighter than the AMG GLA.
- Six-speed manual and 272 km/h top speed.
- Costs RM36,012 more.
- Has four seats and a 410-litre boot versus five seats and 435 litres.
- Lacks rear air vents, powered front seats and a 360-degree camera.
AMG GLA
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds and all-wheel drive.
- Five seats, 435-litre boot and rear air vents.
- Powered front seats with memory, powered boot and 360-degree camera.
- Produces 302 hp and 400 Nm, below the Type R's 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- Weighs 1,680 kg, 257 kg more than the Type R.
- Its 250 km/h top speed is 22 km/h lower than the Type R's 272 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM363,888✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM436 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with Mild Hybrid Assistance and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp✓ | 302 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,680 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 255/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 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 Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 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 Civic Type R & AMG GLA for sale
Civic Type R vs AMG GLA FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA better?
The Civic Type R is the better choice for manual-gearbox engagement, stronger outputs and a 272 km/h top speed. The AMG GLA suits buyers needing all-wheel drive, five seats, a larger boot and more convenience equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM399,900 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM363,888, so the Type R is RM36,012 more expensive.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is more practical: it has five seats, a 435-litre boot, rear air vents and a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench. The Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot.