Verdict
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900, RM31,130 less than the RM165,030 Kia Optima, and its RM90 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than RM379. It is also the more safety-focused choice: Honda Sensing adds autonomous braking, steering correction lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. The Optima fights back with 242 hp and 350 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 7.4 seconds against 8.3 seconds, plus a larger D-segment body, 18-inch wheels and notably richer front-seat comfort. For most Malaysian buyers, the Civic’s price and active-safety edge matter more; choose the Optima for performance and space.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want to save RM31,130, pay RM289 less road tax annually and get autonomous braking with adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Kia Optima if 242 hp, 350 Nm, a 2,805 mm wheelbase and ventilated power front seats matter more than lower ownership costs.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Kia Optima RM165,030.
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Kia Optima 242 hp and 350 Nm.
- Acceleration: Honda Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; Kia Optima in 7.4 seconds.
- Length and wheelbase: Honda Civic 4,678 mm and 2,735 mm; Kia Optima 4,855 mm and 2,805 mm.
- Fuel tank and boot: Honda Civic 47 litres and 497 litres; Kia Optima 70 litres and 510 litres.
- Driver assistance: Honda Civic has autonomous braking, lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control; Kia Optima has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping and…
Civic
- RM31,130 lower purchase price and RM90 annual road tax.
- Honda Sensing includes autonomous braking and steering-correction lane-keeping.
- 9.0-inch display with Google services, eight speakers and wireless Apple CarPlay.
- 180 hp and 240 Nm trail the Optima’s 242 hp and 350 Nm.
- Manual front seats lack the Optima’s power adjustment, heating, ventilation and driver memory.
- Smaller 47-litre tank and 497-litre boot than the Optima’s 70 litres and 510 litres.
Optima
- 242 hp and 350 Nm deliver a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Larger 4,855 mm D-segment body with a 2,805 mm wheelbase.
- Power front seats with heating, ventilation and driver memory, plus a panoramic sunroof.
- Costs RM31,130 more and its annual road tax is RM379 versus RM90.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping, while cruise control is passive rather than adaptive.
- 7.0-inch touchscreen and six speakers trail the Civic’s 9.0-inch unit and eight speakers.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM165,030 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 242 hp✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10 |
| 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 | 7.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 191 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,855 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,805 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,580 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| 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 | Full Size 18" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front 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 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 |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Dynamic LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Memory Function for Driver |
| 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, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear door window shades |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 7.0" touchscreen with 6 speakers |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 & Optima for sale
Civic vs Optima FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Kia Optima better?
The Honda Civic is the better buy for lower cost and active safety, with autonomous braking, lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. The Kia Optima is better if you prioritise 242 hp, a larger body and more luxurious front-seat equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Optima costs RM31,130 more than the Honda Civic: RM165,030 against RM133,900. Its annual road tax is also RM289 higher, at RM379 versus RM90.
Which is faster, the Honda Civic or Kia Optima?
The Kia Optima is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds versus 8.3 seconds for the Honda Civic. Its 2.0-litre turbo produces 242 hp and 350 Nm, against 180 hp and 240 Nm from the Civic’s 1.5-litre turbo.