Verdict
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 to the Nissan Kicks e-Power’s RM113,800, a RM20,100 gap that buys a larger C-segment sedan with a 497-litre boot, 2,735-mm wheelbase and 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo also make it the quicker car. The Kicks counters with SUV height, a 136 hp/280 Nm electric motor, 17-inch wheels and a driver’s knee airbag. For Malaysian families carrying rear passengers and luggage, the Civic’s rear air-con vents and larger cabin footprint matter more; the Kicks suits buyers prioritising the lower entry price and electric-motor drive.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the quicker 8.3-second sedan, 497-litre boot, rear air-con vents and lane-keeping steering correction.
Pick the Nissan Kicks e-Power if you want to save RM20,100, prefer an SUV body and want its 136 hp/280 Nm electric motor.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Nissan Kicks e-Power RM113,800.
- Performance: Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; Kicks e-Power in 9.5 seconds.
- Powertrain: Civic 1.5-litre turbo makes 180 hp and 240 Nm; Kicks has an 82 hp/103 Nm 1.2-litre petrol unit plus a 136 hp/280 Nm motor.
- Size and luggage: Civic is 4,678 mm long with a 2,735-mm wheelbase and 497-litre boot; Kicks is 4,384 mm long with a 2,673-mm wheelbase and 423-litre boot.
- Rear suspension: Civic multi-link; Kicks e-Power torsion beam.
- Driver assistance: Civic has lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control; Kicks has no lane-keeping assist and passive cruise control.
Civic
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 497-litre boot and 2,735-mm wheelbase
- Rear air-con vents, front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control
- Costs RM20,100 more
- Rides on 16-inch alloys versus the Kicks e-Power’s 17-inch wheels
- No front foglamps or driver’s knee airbag
Kicks e-Power
- RM20,100 lower entry price
- 136 hp/280 Nm electric motor and 2.1-kWh lithium-ion battery
- 17-inch wheels, front foglamps and driver’s knee airbag
- Slower 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 423-litre boot and 62-mm shorter wheelbase
- No rear air-con vents, lane-keeping assist or front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM113,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,198 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 82 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 103 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 136 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 2.1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 9.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 21.7 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,384 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,813 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,610 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,673 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 41 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 423 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Yokohama BluEarth E70 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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 & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM85✓ |
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 & Kicks e-Power for sale
Civic vs Kicks e-Power FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Nissan Kicks e-Power better?
The Civic is better for pace, luggage capacity and rear-passenger comfort: it reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, has a 497-litre boot and rear air-con vents. The Kicks e-Power makes more sense if its lower purchase price and SUV format are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Kicks e-Power is RM20,100 cheaper than the Honda Civic.
Which has stronger safety and driver assistance?
Both get autonomous braking, stability control, curtain airbags and ISOFIX on the two outer rear seats. The Civic adds lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control, while the Kicks adds a driver’s knee airbag and an airbag-disable function.