Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM25,012 more than the RM108,888 Renault Fluence, but its 180 hp/240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo is markedly stronger than the Fluence’s 143 hp/195 Nm 2.0-litre, cutting the century sprint from 10.1 to 8.3 seconds. The Civic also brings Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control, while its RM90 annual road tax is far easier on the wallet than RM379. The Fluence counters with a 530-litre boot, 60-litre tank and 17-inch wheels, but the Civic is the more complete Malaysian daily driver.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want quicker 8.3-second performance, a RM90 annual road tax bill and active safety including autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Renault Fluence if saving RM25,012 upfront, carrying more in a 530-litre boot and having a 60-litre fuel tank matter more than performance and driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Renault Fluence RM108,888.
- Power and torque: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Renault Fluence 143 hp and 195 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic 8.3 seconds; Renault Fluence 10.1 seconds.
- Road tax per year: Honda Civic RM90; Renault Fluence RM379.
- Boot space and fuel tank: Honda Civic 497 litres and 47 litres; Renault Fluence 530 litres and 60 litres.
- Rear suspension: Honda Civic multi-link; Renault Fluence torsion beam.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo petrol engine
- Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control and LED headlamps
- RM25,012 dearer to buy
- 497-litre boot is 33 litres smaller
- 47-litre fuel tank is 13 litres smaller
Fluence
- RM25,012 lower purchase price
- 530-litre boot and 60-litre fuel tank
- Dual-zone climate control, navigation and full-size spare tyre
- 143 hp and 195 Nm, with a slower 10.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM90
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM108,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 143 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 195 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | X-Tronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 10.1 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 195 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 178 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,618 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,813 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,485 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,406 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 530 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size 15" |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental ContiPremiumContact 2 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| 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-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 7" Touchscreen Renault R-Link CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Control and Arkamys 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | A courtesy car if maintenance work takes more than 48 hours |
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 & Fluence for sale
Civic vs Fluence FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Renault Fluence better?
The Honda Civic is better for most buyers: it is quicker at 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h, has 180 hp and 240 Nm, and adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The Fluence suits buyers prioritising lower upfront cost and luggage space.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 and the Renault Fluence costs RM108,888, so the Civic is RM25,012 more expensive.
Which has the lower running tax and more practical storage?
The Civic has the lower annual road tax at RM90 versus the Fluence’s RM379. The Fluence is more useful for long trips and luggage, with a 60-litre tank and 530-litre boot against 47 litres and 497 litres.