Honda Civic: FB Facelift vs FE Facelift
Verdict
At RM109,852 versus RM133,900, the RM24,048 gap buys the Honda Civic FE Facelift a much stronger 1.5 litre turbo package: 180 hp and 240 Nm against the FB’s 1.8 litre 139 hp and 174 Nm. The FE is also larger where it matters, with a 2,735 mm wheelbase and 497 litre boot. For a Malaysian buyer, the FB fights back with the lower entry price, a bigger 50 litre tank and a stated five-star ASEAN NCAP result, but its two airbags and lack of AEB show its age.
Pick the Honda Civic FB Facelift if you want the cheaper Civic, prefer a conventional automatic and can accept older safety kit.
Pick the Honda Civic FE Facelift if you want the stronger, roomier and better-equipped newer Civic with six airbags and AEB.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic FB Facelift RM109,852; Honda Civic FE Facelift RM133,900
- Engine output: Honda Civic FB Facelift 139 hp/174 Nm; Honda Civic FE Facelift 180 hp/240 Nm
- Transmission: Honda Civic FB Facelift conventional automatic; Honda Civic FE Facelift CVT automatic
- Size: Honda Civic FB Facelift 4,525 mm long with 2,670 mm wheelbase; Honda Civic FE Facelift 4,678 mm long with 2,735 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Honda Civic FB Facelift 460 litres; Honda Civic FE Facelift 497 litres
- Safety kit: Honda Civic FB Facelift 2 airbags and no AEB; Honda Civic FE Facelift 6 airbags and AEB
FB Facelift
- Lower RM109,852 price
- Conventional automatic gearbox
- 50 litre fuel tank, 3 litres larger than the FE
- Only 2 airbags
- No auto emergency braking
- Less power and torque
FE Facelift
- 180 hp and 240 Nm
- Larger 497 litre boot
- 6 airbags and auto emergency braking
- Costs RM24,048 more
- 47 litre fuel tank is smaller
- CVT automatic may not suit buyers who want a conventional auto
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 109,852✓ | RM 133,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve SOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 180 hp✓ |
| Torque | 174 Nm | 240 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5-Speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 5 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 8.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,525 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,755 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,225 kg | 1,349 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 497 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R16 | 215/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R16 | 215/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental MaxContact MC5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 2 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km, 30,000 km, 50,000 km, 70,000 km and 90,000 km intervals | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 279 | RM 90✓ |
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.
FB Facelift vs FE Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda Civic FB Facelift or Honda Civic FE Facelift better?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is the better all-rounder on these figures, with more power, more torque, a bigger boot, six airbags and AEB. The FB only wins if the lower price and conventional automatic matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic FB Facelift is RM109,852, while the Honda Civic FE Facelift is RM133,900. That makes the FE RM24,048 more expensive.
Which Honda Civic has the lower running cost from road tax?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift has the lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM279 for the Honda Civic FB Facelift.