Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM44,300 less than the RM178,200 Honda CR-V and is the sharper numerical buy: its 180 hp, 240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, 0.6 seconds ahead. The CR-V justifies its outlay chiefly with SUV usability, a 589-litre boot against 497 litres, a 57-litre tank and five doors. Its hybrid system has two motors rated at 181 hp and 335 Nm, plus 7.0 L/100 km rated economy, but annual road tax is RM437 versus RM90. Choose space and equipment, or save substantially with the faster sedan.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the RM44,300 saving, lower RM90 annual road tax and quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Honda CR-V if a 589-litre boot, five-door access, hybrid hardware and richer convenience equipment matter more than the higher price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Honda CR-V RM178,200.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic 8.3 seconds; Honda CR-V 8.9 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Honda CR-V 589 litres.
- Annual road tax: Honda Civic RM90; Honda CR-V RM437.
- Height: Honda Civic 1,415 mm; Honda CR-V 1,681 mm.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda Civic 16-inch alloys with 215/55R16 tyres; Honda CR-V 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 tyres.
Civic
- RM44,300 lower purchase price
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Google services built into the 9.0-inch touchscreen
- 497-litre boot is 92 litres smaller
- Manual front seats and single-zone climate control
- No blind spot information system or front foglamps
CR-V
- 589-litre boot with reclining and sliding rear seats
- Power front seats, driver memory and dual-zone climate control
- Blind spot information system, front knee airbags and hands-free power boot
- RM44,300 higher purchase price
- RM437 annual road tax versus RM90
- Slower 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM178,200 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM437 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| 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 |
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 & CR-V for sale
Civic vs CR-V FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda CR-V better?
The Civic is better for a buyer prioritising purchase cost, road tax and acceleration. The CR-V is better for carrying people and luggage, with five doors, a 589-litre boot and power-adjustable front seats.
What is the price difference?
The Honda CR-V costs RM44,300 more than the Honda Civic.
Which has more family-friendly practicality?
The Honda CR-V does. Its 589-litre boot is 92 litres larger, it has five doors, and its 60:40 rear seats slide and recline. The Civic has a 497-litre boot and four doors.