Verdict
At RM149,000, the Tesla Model 3 costs RM15,100 more than the RM133,900 Honda Civic, but brings 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time against the Civic’s 180 hp, 240 Nm and 8.3 seconds. It also has a 62.5 kWh battery rated for 534 km, 170 kW DC charging and a 594-litre boot. The Civic counters with RM90 annual road tax versus RM280, a 47-litre petrol tank, a space-saver spare and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly, the Tesla’s extra performance and EV range justify the gap; the Civic is the lower-cost, simpler ownership choice.
Pick the Honda Civic if lower purchase cost, RM90 annual road tax, a 47-litre petrol tank and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than outright acceleration.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge at home or work and want 534 km EV range, 170 kW DC charging and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Power and torque: Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Civic 8.3 seconds; Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Energy storage and range: Civic 47-litre petrol tank; Model 3 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km range.
- Annual road tax: Civic RM90; Model 3 RM280.
- Boot space: Civic 497 litres; Model 3 594 litres.
Civic
- RM15,100 lower purchase price.
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM280.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Slower 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.2 seconds.
- Smaller 497-litre boot versus 594 litres.
- Six airbags versus seven.
Model 3
- 279 hp and 420 Nm from its single motor.
- 62.5 kWh battery with 534 km range, 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, powered front seats and panoramic glass roof.
- Costs RM15,100 more to buy.
- RM280 annual road tax versus RM90.
- Four-year/80,000 km vehicle warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage.
| 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 at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 a buyer who can charge regularly, with 279 hp, 534 km range and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The Civic is better for lower purchase cost, lower road tax and unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 is RM15,100 more expensive than the Honda Civic: RM149,000 against RM133,900.
Which has the larger boot?
The Tesla Model 3 has the larger boot at 594 litres, 97 litres more than the Honda Civic’s 497 litres.