Verdict
The Honda Civic costs RM18,000 more at RM133,900, but it is a much larger C-segment sedan with 497 litres of boot space, a 2,735 mm wheelbase and a 180 hp/240 Nm turbo engine. Its 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.8 seconds ahead of the HR-V’s. The RM115,900 HR-V counters with five doors, a taller 1,591 mm body, 18-inch wheels and ULTRA Seat flexibility. For Malaysian buyers who need a compact SUV shape, it is the cheaper answer; those carrying luggage or covering faster highway miles should pay for the Civic.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want 180 hp, 497 litres of boot space and a 2,735 mm wheelbase in a C-segment sedan.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want the RM115,900 entry price, a five-door SUV body and ULTRA Seat flexibility.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Honda HR-V RM115,900.
- Power and torque: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Honda HR-V 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic 8.3 seconds; Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Honda HR-V 335 litres.
- Dimensions: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long and 1,415 mm tall; Honda HR-V 4,347 mm long and 1,591 mm tall.
- Safety hardware: Honda Civic has front and rear curtain airbags; Honda HR-V has driver, passenger and front side airbags.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine
- 497-litre boot and 2,735 mm wheelbase
- Front and rear curtain airbags, front parking sensors and auto wipers
- Costs RM18,000 more
- Four-door sedan body versus the HR-V’s five doors and ULTRA Seat
- 16-inch wheels versus 18-inch wheels
HR-V
- RM115,900 price
- Five-door SUV body with manual-recline 60:40 ULTRA Seat
- 18-inch wheels and walk-away auto lock
- 119 hp and 145 Nm leave it 3.8 seconds slower to 100 km/h
- 335-litre boot is 162 litres smaller
- No curtain airbags, front parking sensors or auto wipers
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM115,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 119 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 12.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 186 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,347 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,591 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,274 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 335 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| 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) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear 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 |
| 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-fold | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front |
| 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 | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| 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 & HR-V for sale
Civic vs HR-V FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda HR-V better?
The Civic is better for performance, boot space and passenger room, with 180 hp, 497 litres and a 2,735 mm wheelbase. The HR-V is better if the lower RM115,900 price and taller five-door SUV body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 and the Honda HR-V costs RM115,900, so the Civic is RM18,000 dearer.
Which is quicker, the Honda Civic or Honda HR-V?
The Civic is decisively quicker: it reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds against 12.1 seconds for the HR-V. Its turbocharged 1.5 litre produces 180 hp and 240 Nm, versus 119 hp and 145 Nm.