Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM55,988 less than the RM189,888 Hyundai Sonata, while its annual road tax is only RM90 against RM877. The Civic’s 1.5-litre turbo also makes 180 hp and 240 Nm, edging the Sonata’s 177 hp and 232 Nm, and it adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The Sonata is the larger D-segment sedan: 222 mm longer, with a 105 mm longer wheelbase, 70-litre tank and 510-litre boot. For a Malaysian buyer, the Honda is the rational pick; the Hyundai spends more on space and cabin hardware.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the RM55,988 saving, lower RM90 road tax and active safety including autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata if you need a substantially larger sedan with a 2,840 mm wheelbase, 70-litre fuel tank, panoramic sunroof and powered front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Hyundai Sonata RM189,888.
- Annual road tax: Honda Civic RM90; Hyundai Sonata RM877.
- Engine output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Hyundai Sonata 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Honda Civic 4,678 mm and 2,735 mm; Hyundai Sonata 4,900 mm and 2,840 mm.
- Fuel tank and boot: Honda Civic 47 litres and 497 litres; Hyundai Sonata 70 litres and 510 litres.
- Wheels: Honda Civic 16-inch alloys with 215/55R16 tyres; Hyundai Sonata 18-inch alloys with 235/45R18 tyres.
Civic
- RM55,988 cheaper to buy with RM787 lower annual road tax.
- 180 hp and 240 Nm exceed the Sonata’s outputs.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- Smaller 4,678 mm body and 2,735 mm wheelbase than the Sonata’s 4,900 mm and 2,840 mm.
- 47-litre tank and 497-litre boot trail the Sonata’s 70 litres and 510 litres.
- Lacks the Sonata’s panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, head-up display and around-view monitor.
Sonata
- Larger D-segment dimensions, including a 2,840 mm wheelbase.
- 70-litre fuel tank, 510-litre boot and 18-inch wheels.
- Panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats and head-up display.
- Costs RM55,988 more and carries RM877 annual road tax versus RM90 for the Civic.
- 177 hp and 232 Nm are below the Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- Has passive cruise control and no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, where the Civic has adaptive cruise control and Honda Sensing.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM189,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM877 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with continuously variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 232 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,840 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,448 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| 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) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot View Monitoring, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| 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 | 10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, 4-Way Power-Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 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 | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry with Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Wireless Qi Charger with Cooling Function, Head-up Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 300,000 km |
| 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 & Sonata for sale
Civic vs Sonata FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Hyundai Sonata better?
The Honda Civic is the better buy for most buyers: it is RM55,988 cheaper, has far lower annual road tax and brings autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Choose the Hyundai Sonata for its larger cabin-related dimensions and richer comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 and the Hyundai Sonata costs RM189,888, so the Sonata is RM55,988 more expensive.
Which car is better for rear-seat and luggage space?
The Hyundai Sonata is better suited to space needs on its dimensions: its 2,840 mm wheelbase is 105 mm longer, and its 510-litre boot is 13 litres larger than the Civic’s 497 litres. It also has a 70-litre tank against 47 litres.