Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla Cross
Verdict
At RM133,900 for the Honda Civic and RM133,800 for the Toyota Corolla Cross, price is effectively a dead heat. The real split is format and drivetrain. The Civic is the keener car on paper, with 180 hp, 240 Nm, an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time, a 200 km/h top speed and multi-link rear suspension. The Corolla Cross answers with SUV height, a 5-door body, blind spot info, a 360-degree camera and a powered contactless boot. For Malaysian buyers, this is sedan pace versus crossover practicality and kit.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the stronger 1.5 turbo, lower RM90 road tax, bigger 497-litre boot and the more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.
Pick the Toyota Corolla Cross if you want the taller SUV body, extra driver assistance kit, 360-degree camera and powered contactless tailgate.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Toyota Corolla Cross RM133,800
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm; Toyota Corolla Cross 138 hp/172 Nm
- Performance: Honda Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and 200 km/h; Toyota Corolla Cross 0-100 km/h not listed and 185 km/h
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Toyota Corolla Cross 440 litres
- Size: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long/1,415 mm tall; Toyota Corolla Cross 4,460 mm long/1,620 mm tall
- Road tax: Honda Civic RM90/year; Toyota Corolla Cross RM359/year
Civic
- Much stronger turbo engine with 180 hp and 240 Nm
- Larger 497-litre boot and longer 2,735 mm wheelbase
- Lower annual road tax at RM90
- No blind spot info system against the Toyota's fitted system
- No 360-degree camera; reverse camera only
- Manual front seats, while the Toyota gets an 8-way powered driver's seat
Corolla Cross
- Taller 1,620 mm SUV body with a 5-door layout
- Blind spot info, driver's knee airbag and 360-degree camera
- Powered contactless boot and 18-inch alloy wheels
- Lower output at 138 hp and 172 Nm
- Smaller 440-litre boot
- Higher RM359 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 133,900 | RM 133,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing (Dual VVT-i) |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 138 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 440 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| 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 | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 359 |
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.
Civic vs Corolla Cross FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla Cross better?
The Honda Civic is better for performance and boot space, with 180 hp, 240 Nm and 497 litres. The Toyota Corolla Cross is better if you want SUV height, a powered tailgate, blind spot info and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla Cross is RM100 cheaper. It costs RM133,800, while the Honda Civic costs RM133,900, so price should not decide this comparison.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Honda Civic is cheaper on road tax at RM90 per year. The Toyota Corolla Cross costs RM359 per year, a RM269 annual difference.