Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic is RM4,900 cheaper and gives the Malaysian buyer quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration of 8.3 seconds, a 497-litre boot and a longer 2,735-mm wheelbase. The RM138,800 Omoda Jaecoo J7 counters with 194 hp and 290 Nm, 19-inch wheels, a 360-degree camera and a seven-year/150,000-km warranty. Its SUV body is 265 mm taller, but the Civic carries 85 litres more luggage and reaches 200 km/h against 180 km/h. Choose the body style and equipment level that suits your daily use; performance and cargo capacity favour the Honda.
Pick the Honda Civic if quicker 8.3-second acceleration, a 497-litre boot and the lower RM90 annual road tax matter most.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J7 if you want a taller SUV with 290 Nm, 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Omoda Jaecoo J7 RM138,800.
- Performance: Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; Omoda Jaecoo J7 194 hp/290 Nm and 9.2 seconds.
- Dimensions: Honda Civic is 4,678 mm long, 1,802 mm wide and 1,415 mm tall; Omoda Jaecoo J7 is 4,500 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,680 mm tall.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Omoda Jaecoo J7 412 litres.
- Wheels: Honda Civic 16-inch alloys with 215/55R16 tyres; Omoda Jaecoo J7 19-inch alloys with 235/50R19 tyres.
- Warranty: Honda Civic five years with unlimited mileage; Omoda Jaecoo J7 seven years/150,000 km.
Civic
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Larger 497-litre boot.
- RM90 annual road tax and RM4,900 lower purchase price.
- No blind-spot information system or front centre airbag, unlike the J7.
- Manual front-seat adjustment and single-zone climate control.
- Five-year warranty versus the J7's seven years/150,000 km.
J7
- 194 hp and 290 Nm from its 1.6-litre turbo engine.
- 360-degree camera, head-up display and blind-spot information system.
- Powered front seats, panoramic sunroof and powered boot.
- Slower 9.2-second 0-100 km/h time versus the Civic's 8.3 seconds.
- Smaller 412-litre boot versus 497 litres.
- Costs RM4,900 more and has RM120 annual road tax versus RM90.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM138,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| 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✓ |
| 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) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| 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✓ |
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 & J7 for sale
Civic vs J7 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Omoda Jaecoo J7 better?
The Civic is the better choice for acceleration, boot space and lower running taxes. The J7 is better equipped, has more torque, a taller SUV body and a longer seven-year/150,000-km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J7 costs RM4,900 more than the Honda Civic.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda Civic has the bigger boot at 497 litres, compared with 412 litres for the Omoda Jaecoo J7. That is an 85-litre advantage for the sedan.