Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM24,322 more than the RM109,578 Volkswagen Jetta, but the gap buys substantially newer active safety and cabin equipment: Honda Sensing autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction, a reverse camera and a 9.0-inch Google-equipped screen. Its 180 hp also cuts the 0-100 km/h run to 8.3 seconds. The Jetta counters with 250 Nm, a seven-speed DSG, 5 L/100 km rated economy, a 55-litre tank and a 510-litre boot. For most Malaysian buyers, the Civic’s safety kit is the stronger reason to spend more.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control, LED lighting and 180 hp performance, and can justify the RM24,322 premium.
Pick the Volkswagen Jetta if lower purchase cost, 5 L/100 km rated economy, 250 Nm and a larger boot matter more than active safety and infotainment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Volkswagen Jetta RM109,578.
- Power and acceleration: Civic 180 hp and 8.3 seconds 0-100 km/h; Jetta 148 hp and 8.6 seconds.
- Torque and transmission: Civic 240 Nm with CVT; Jetta 250 Nm with seven-speed dry DSG.
- Fuel economy and tank: Civic has no rated figure and a 47-litre tank; Jetta is rated at 5 L/100 km with a 55-litre tank.
- Wheelbase and boot: Civic 2,735 mm and 497 litres; Jetta 2,651 mm and 510 litres.
- Driver assistance: Civic has autonomous braking, adaptive cruise and lane-keeping; Jetta has none of these systems.
Civic
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- 180 hp and 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google services and eight speakers
- RM24,322 more expensive
- 240 Nm trails the Jetta’s 250 Nm
- 497-litre boot and 47-litre tank are smaller
Jetta
- RM24,322 lower entry price
- 5 L/100 km rated economy, 55-litre tank and 510-litre boot
- 250 Nm, seven-speed DSG and full-size spare tyre
- No autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist
- 148 hp and 8.6-second 0-100 km/h performance trail the Civic
- Halogen headlamps, manual air-con and no reverse camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM109,578✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 8.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 115 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,644 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,778 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,651 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Sedona Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Sedona Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| 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 | RCD 220 radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB and 6 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) | Manual key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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 & Jetta for sale
Civic vs Jetta FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta better?
The Honda Civic is the better-equipped choice, with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, LED lamps and a reverse camera. The Jetta is the budget and economy choice, costing RM24,322 less and rated at 5 L/100 km.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 and the Volkswagen Jetta costs RM109,578, so the Civic is RM24,322 more expensive.
Which is faster, the Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta?
The Honda Civic is quicker to 100 km/h at 8.3 seconds versus 8.6 seconds for the Jetta, thanks to its 180 hp output. The Jetta produces slightly more torque, at 250 Nm against 240 Nm.