Verdict
These sedans ask different things of a Malaysian buyer. The Honda Civic is RM87,900 cheaper, carries just RM90 annual road tax and reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, 0.6 seconds ahead of the Toyota Camry despite giving away 21 hp. The Camry counters with a 2.5-litre, 201-hp engine, 8-speed automatic, 2,825 mm wheelbase and 524-litre boot. Its blind-spot monitor, 360-degree camera, head-up display and powered front seats make the extra outlay tangible, but the Civic is the sharper financial case.
Pick the Honda Civic if RM87,900 saved, lower RM90 road tax and the quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than D-segment space and luxury equipment.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want the larger 524-litre boot, 201 hp 2.5-litre engine and equipment such as blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price and road tax: Honda Civic RM133,900 and RM90/year; Toyota Camry RM221,800 and RM867/year.
- Performance: Honda Civic 180 hp, 240 Nm and 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h; Toyota Camry 201 hp, 246 Nm and 8.9 seconds.
- Dimensions: Honda Civic is 4,678 mm long on a 2,735 mm wheelbase; Toyota Camry is 4,920 mm long on a 2,825 mm wheelbase.
- Boot and fuel tank: Honda Civic has 497 litres and 47 litres; Toyota Camry has 524 litres and 60 litres.
- Transmission and wheels: Honda Civic uses a CVT with 16-inch alloys; Toyota Camry uses an 8-speed automatic with 18-inch alloys.
- Parking and safety equipment: Honda Civic has a reverse camera and no blind-spot system; Toyota Camry has a 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring.
Civic
- RM87,900 lower purchase price and RM777 lower annual road tax.
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 60:40 split-fold rear seats and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Less powerful at 180 hp and 240 Nm versus 201 hp and 246 Nm.
- Smaller 497-litre boot, 47-litre tank and 2,735 mm wheelbase.
- Misses the Camry's blind-spot monitor, 360-degree camera, head-up display and powered front seats.
Camry
- 201 hp, 246 Nm 2.5-litre engine with an 8-speed automatic.
- Longer 2,825 mm wheelbase and larger 524-litre boot.
- Gets blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, head-up display and 8-way memory driver's seat.
- RM87,900 more expensive, with RM867 annual road tax versus RM90.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 8.9 seconds versus 8.3 seconds.
- Fixed rear seats and a tyre repair kit, where the Civic has split-fold seats and a space-saver spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM221,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM867 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm | 246 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" 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, Driver's Knee, 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | Fixed Rear Seats |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 & Camry for sale
Civic vs Camry FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Toyota Camry better?
The Honda Civic is the better buy for cost and acceleration, saving RM87,900 and reaching 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. The Toyota Camry is better equipped and roomier, with a 524-litre boot, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Camry costs RM87,900 more than the Honda Civic. It also carries RM867 annual road tax, compared with RM90 for the Civic.
Which sedan is more practical for carrying luggage and passengers?
The Toyota Camry has the larger 524-litre boot and a 90 mm longer wheelbase. The Honda Civic's 497-litre boot is smaller, but its 60:40 split-fold rear seats give it an advantage when carrying longer items.