Verdict
The Honda Civic is the keener drive on paper: 180 hp, 240 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and 200 km/h, for RM133,900. The Honda CR-V is the family hauler, costing RM178,200 but giving you a 589-litre boot instead of 497 litres, a 57-litre tank instead of 47 litres and hybrid hardware with two motors. It is slower at 8.9 seconds and 185 km/h, and Malaysian running costs include RM437 road tax versus the Civic’s RM90.
Civic
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the lower price, stronger petrol-turbo figures and quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time in a sedan.
CR-V
Pick the Honda CR-V if you need SUV access, 589 litres of boot space, more comfort kit and hybrid motor assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900 vs Honda CR-V RM178,200
- Powertrain: Honda Civic 1.5 turbo petrol with 180 hp/240 Nm vs Honda CR-V 2.0 hybrid petrol engine with 146 hp/190 Nm plus 181 hp/335 Nm motor output
- Performance: Honda Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and 200 km/h top speed vs Honda CR-V 8.9 seconds and 185 km/h
- Size: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long, 1,802 mm wide, 1,415 mm tall vs Honda CR-V 4,691 mm long, 1,866 mm wide, 1,681 mm tall
- Boot and tank: Honda Civic 497 litres and 47 litres vs Honda CR-V 589 litres and 57 litres
- Road tax: Honda Civic RM90/year vs Honda CR-V RM437/year
Civic
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time and higher top speed
- Lower purchase price and much lower road tax
- Longer 2,735 mm wheelbase than the CR-V’s 2,701 mm
- Smaller 497-litre boot versus the CR-V’s 589 litres
- Manual front seats and single-zone climate control versus powered front seats and dual-zone climate control
- No Blind Spot Info System listed, while the CR-V has it
CR-V
- Larger 589-litre boot and five-door SUV body
- Hybrid setup with two motors and 335 Nm of motor torque
- Adds power hands-free boot, multi-angle reverse camera and navigation
- Slower: 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds versus the Civic’s 8.3 seconds
- Lower 185 km/h top speed versus the Civic’s 200 km/h
- Heavier and costlier to tax: 1,616 kg and RM437 road tax versus 1,349 kg and RM90
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 133,900✓ | RM 178,200 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 146 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 190 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 13.9 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,691 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,866 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,681 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,701 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,616 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 57 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 589 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/60R18 |
| 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 | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | 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 | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function |
| 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 | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 437 |
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.
Civic vs CR-V FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda CR-V better?
The Honda Civic is better for performance and cost. The Honda CR-V is better for space, equipment and family use, with a 589-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
What is the price difference?
The Honda CR-V is RM44,300 more expensive: RM178,200 versus RM133,900 for the Honda Civic.
Which one is quicker?
The Honda Civic is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and reaching 200 km/h. The Honda CR-V takes 8.9 seconds and tops out at 185 km/h.