Honda Civic vs Omoda Jaecoo J7
Verdict
The Honda Civic is the lower, lighter-feeling choice on paper, and its 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 200 km/h top speed beat the Omoda Jaecoo J7 despite having less output. It also has the bigger boot at 497 litres. The J7 costs RM138,800 against RM133,900, and that RM4,900 gap buys an SUV body, more torque, 19-inch wheels, powered front seats, a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, head-up display and blind spot monitoring. If you want equipment, the J7 is hard to ignore; if you want pace and luggage space, the Civic answers back.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the quicker car, the larger 497-litre boot and a lower RM133,900 entry price.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J7 if you want an SUV with more kit, 290 Nm of torque and added safety equipment such as blind spot monitoring and a front centre airbag.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Omoda Jaecoo J7 RM138,800
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm; Omoda Jaecoo J7 194 hp/290 Nm
- Performance: Honda Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; Omoda Jaecoo J7 in 9.2 seconds
- Size: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long and 1,415 mm tall; Omoda Jaecoo J7 4,500 mm long and 1,680 mm tall
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Omoda Jaecoo J7 412 litres
- Warranty: Honda Civic 5 years/unlimited mileage; Omoda Jaecoo J7 7 years/150,000 km
Civic
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time and higher top speed
- Bigger 497-litre boot
- Lower road tax at RM90 a year
- Less power and torque than the J7
- No blind spot info system, 360-degree camera or head-up display
- Manual front seats and single-zone climate control only
J7
- Stronger 194 hp and 290 Nm outputs
- Richer cabin kit, including powered front seats, dual-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof
- Adds blind spot monitoring, front centre airbag and 360-degree camera
- Slower 0-100 km/h time despite higher output
- Smaller 412-litre boot
- Higher road tax at RM120 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 133,900✓ | RM 138,800 |
| 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 with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 194 hp✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 77 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 9.9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-speed Dual-clutch Gearbox |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 9.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,500 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,680 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 412 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Cooper Evolution CTT |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| 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 outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Shade |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 14.8-inch Portrait Touchscreen with Sony Sound System, Apple CarPlay and 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 120 |
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 J7 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Omoda Jaecoo J7 better?
The Honda Civic is better for pace and boot space; the Omoda Jaecoo J7 is better for SUV practicality and equipment. The Civic does 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and has 497 litres of boot space, while the J7 gets more comfort and safety kit.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J7 costs RM4,900 more than the Honda Civic, at RM138,800 versus RM133,900.
Which is quicker, the Honda Civic or Omoda Jaecoo J7?
The Honda Civic is quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and reaches 200 km/h, while the Omoda Jaecoo J7 takes 9.2 seconds and tops out at 180 km/h.