Honda Civic: FB vs FE Facelift
Verdict
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is the stronger new-car case: for RM21,124 more, it gets 180 hp and 240 Nm against the Honda Civic FB’s 139 hp and 174 Nm, plus six airbags and AEB. It is also longer, wider and has a 497-litre boot, so the extra metal is useful. The FB still works if you prioritise the lower buy-in, its 50-litre tank and its 5-star ASEAN NCAP result, but two airbags and no AEB date it clearly.
Pick the Honda Civic FB if you want the cheaper Civic with a larger 50-litre fuel tank and can live with 139 hp, two airbags and no AEB.
Pick the Honda Civic FE Facelift if you want the newer, quicker and better-equipped Civic, with 180 hp, 240 Nm, six airbags and AEB.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic FB RM112,776; Honda Civic FE Facelift RM133,900
- Engine/output: Honda Civic FB 1,798 cc, 139 hp, 174 Nm; Honda Civic FE Facelift 1,498 cc, 180 hp, 240 Nm
- Transmission: Honda Civic FB conventional automatic; Honda Civic FE Facelift CVT automatic
- Size: Honda Civic FB 4,525 mm long, 1,755 mm wide; Honda Civic FE Facelift 4,678 mm long, 1,802 mm wide
- Boot space: Honda Civic FB 460 L; Honda Civic FE Facelift 497 L
- Safety kit: Honda Civic FB 2 airbags, no AEB, 5-star ASEAN NCAP; Honda Civic FE Facelift 6 airbags, AEB, no ASEAN NCAP rating listed
FB
- Lower listed price
- Larger 50-litre fuel tank
- 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Only 2 airbags
- No auto emergency braking
- 139 hp and 174 Nm trail the newer car
FE Facelift
- 180 hp and 240 Nm
- 6 airbags and AEB
- 497-litre boot
- Higher listed price
- Smaller 47-litre fuel tank
- No ASEAN NCAP rating listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 112,776✓ | 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 | Manual Key | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | 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 vs FE Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda Civic FB or Honda Civic FE Facelift better?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is better on paper, with 180 hp, 240 Nm, six airbags, AEB, an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a 497-litre boot. The Honda Civic FB fights back with a lower price and 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is RM21,124 dearer: RM133,900 versus RM112,776. That gap buys more power, more torque, six airbags, AEB and a larger boot, while annual road tax drops from RM279 to RM90.
Which one is more practical?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift has the edge for luggage and cabin footprint, with a 497-litre boot, 4,678 mm length and 2,735 mm wheelbase. The Honda Civic FB has a smaller 460-litre boot and 2,670 mm wheelbase, but a larger 50-litre fuel tank.