Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM15,100 less and keeps annual road tax to RM90, against the Tesla Model 3’s RM280. The Tesla answers with a 279 hp, 420 Nm rear motor, a 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km range, cutting 0-100 km/h to 6.2 seconds versus the Civic’s 8.3 seconds. It is also roomier for luggage at 594 litres. For Malaysian buyers without a settled charging routine, the Civic’s 47-litre petrol tank and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty remain the simpler ownership proposition.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the lower RM133,900 entry price, RM90 annual road tax and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge an EV and want 534 km range, 6.2-second acceleration and a 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Power and torque: Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Model 3 motor 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Civic 8.3 seconds; Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Energy storage: Civic 47-litre petrol tank; Model 3 62.5 kWh battery with 534 km range.
- Boot space: Civic 497 litres; Model 3 594 litres.
- Annual road tax: Civic RM90; Model 3 RM280.
Civic
- RM15,100 lower purchase price.
- RM90 annual road tax and a 47-litre petrol tank.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- Slower 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.2 seconds.
- Smaller 497-litre boot versus 594 litres.
- No blind spot information system or panoramic glass roof.
Model 3
- 279 hp and 420 Nm deliver 6.2-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- 62.5 kWh battery, 534 km range, 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, blind spot information system and powered front seats.
- Costs RM15,100 more and annual road tax is RM190 higher.
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage.
- No spare tyre is listed, while the Civic gets a space saver.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | — |
| Torque | 240 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 279 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Prismata 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model 3 for sale
Civic vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better for acceleration, EV range and boot capacity: 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h, 534 km and 594 litres. The Honda Civic is the better fit if lower upfront cost, lower road tax and unlimited-mileage warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM15,100 more than the Honda Civic. Its RM149,000 price compares with RM133,900 for the Civic.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Honda Civic has lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM280 for the Tesla Model 3. That is a RM190 annual difference.