Honda Civic vs Hyundai Tucson
Verdict
The Honda Civic is RM133,900 against RM143,888 for the Hyundai Tucson, so the Honda saves RM9,988 before you even count road tax. It is also the stronger car on paper, with 180 hp and 240 Nm versus 154 hp and 192 Nm, plus Honda Sensing with autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The Tucson answers as an SUV: 582 litres of boot space, a taller 1,665 mm body and a bigger 54-litre tank. Choose pace and driver aids, or space and SUV packaging.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the stronger 1.5 turbo, lower annual road tax and the fuller driver-assist package.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need SUV height, the bigger boot and extra cabin convenience such as dual-zone climate control, navigation and a wireless charger.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Hyundai Tucson RM143,888
- Power and torque: Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm; Hyundai Tucson 154 hp/192 Nm
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Hyundai Tucson 582 litres
- Size: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long/1,415 mm tall; Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm long/1,665 mm tall
- Driver assist: Honda Civic has autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise; Hyundai Tucson has no autonomous braking, no lane-keeping assist…
- Road tax: Honda Civic RM90 a year; Hyundai Tucson RM440 a year
Civic
- More power and torque from the 1.5-litre turbo
- Honda Sensing adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- Lower annual road tax at RM90
- Smaller 497-litre boot than the Tucson’s 582 litres
- Single-zone climate control instead of the Tucson’s dual-zone system
- No navigation or wireless charger listed
Tucson
- Bigger 582-litre boot and taller SUV body
- Dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation and wireless charger
- Eight-year warranty, though capped at 160,000 km
- Costs RM9,988 more than the Civic
- Lower outputs at 154 hp and 192 Nm
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 133,900✓ | RM 143,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 181 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,665 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,488 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 54 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 582 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| 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 and Rear 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 | 5 Three-point | 5 Three Point |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 8 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 440 |
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 Tucson FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Hyundai Tucson better?
The Honda Civic is better for performance, road tax and active safety. The Hyundai Tucson is better if you need an SUV body, a bigger boot and more comfort kit.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Tucson costs RM143,888, while the Honda Civic costs RM133,900. That makes the Tucson RM9,988 more expensive.
Which has more boot space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the larger boot at 582 litres. The Honda Civic offers 497 litres, so the Tucson gives you 85 litres more luggage space.