Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5
Verdict
At RM133,900 against RM134,469, the Honda Civic is only RM569 cheaper, but it gives you the stronger numbers: 180 hp, 240 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and a 497-litre boot. The Mazda CX-5 answers as the taller SUV, with 1,675 mm of height, a 56-litre tank and a more flexible 40:20:40 rear seat. For Malaysian buyers, this is less about price and more about use: the Civic is quicker and better equipped for driver assistance, while the CX-5 buys you SUV packaging.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the quicker car, lower RM90 road tax, a bigger 497-litre boot and Honda Sensing features at almost the same price.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want SUV height, a wider body, a larger 56-litre fuel tank and the more flexible 40:20:40 rear seat.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Mazda CX-5 162 hp and 213 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic 8.3 seconds; Mazda CX-5 10.4 seconds
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Mazda CX-5 442 litres
- Dimensions: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long and 1,415 mm tall; Mazda CX-5 4,550 mm long and 1,675 mm tall
- Road tax: Honda Civic RM90 a year; Mazda CX-5 RM439 a year
Civic
- Stronger 1.5 turbo output at 180 hp and 240 Nm
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 200 km/h top speed
- Honda Sensing includes autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, collision warning and adaptive cruise control
- Smaller 47-litre fuel tank versus the Mazda CX-5’s 56 litres
- Single-zone climate control versus dual-zone in the Mazda CX-5
- Rear seat splits 60:40, not the Mazda CX-5’s more versatile 40:20:40 layout
CX-5
- SUV body gives much more height at 1,675 mm versus 1,415 mm
- Larger 56-litre fuel tank
- Gets dual-zone climate control, wireless charger and built-in navigation
- Lower output at 162 hp and 213 Nm versus the Honda Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm
- Slower 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning listed here
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 133,900✓ | RM 134,469 |
| 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, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 162 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 213 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 56 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| 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 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 | LED Projector |
| 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 | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 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 | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 439 |
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 CX-5 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Mazda CX-5 better?
The Honda Civic is better if performance and safety kit matter: it has 180 hp, a 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and Honda Sensing. The Mazda CX-5 is better if you want SUV height and a more flexible rear seat.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900, while the Mazda CX-5 costs RM134,469. The Mazda is RM569 dearer, so price is almost irrelevant here; the bigger difference is sedan versus SUV packaging.
Which has the bigger boot and lower running cost?
The Honda Civic has the bigger boot at 497 litres versus 442 litres. It also has lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM439 for the Mazda CX-5.