Verdict
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is the clear new-car choice: its 180 hp and 240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo beats the FB’s 139 hp and 174 Nm 1.8, while Honda Sensing, six airbags and a 497-litre boot make daily use easier. The RM21,124 gap is substantial, but it also brings a larger 2,735 mm wheelbase, adaptive cruise control and a 9.0-inch touchscreen. The Honda Civic FB remains the sensible used-generation alternative for buyers who prefer its 50-litre tank, 5-speed automatic and lower initial outlay.
Pick the Honda Civic FB if you want the lower-cost, lighter 1,225 kg Civic with a 50-litre fuel tank and conventional 5-speed automatic.
Pick the Honda Civic FE Facelift if you want 180 hp, Honda Sensing, six airbags and substantially more modern cabin technology.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic FB RM112,776; Honda Civic FE Facelift RM133,900.
- Power and torque: Honda Civic FB 139 hp and 174 Nm; Honda Civic FE Facelift 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Honda Civic FB RM279; Honda Civic FE Facelift RM90.
- Size and boot: Honda Civic FB is 4,525 mm long with a 2,670 mm wheelbase and 460-litre boot; Honda Civic FE Facelift is 4,678 mm, 2,735 mm and 497 litres.
- Safety: Honda Civic FB has two airbags and no autonomous braking; Honda Civic FE Facelift has six airbags and Honda Sensing autonomous braking.
- Transmission: Honda Civic FB uses a 5-speed conventional automatic; Honda Civic FE Facelift uses a CVT automatic.
FB
- RM21,124 lower listed price
- 124 kg lighter at 1,225 kg
- 50-litre fuel tank, versus 47 litres
- 139 hp and 174 Nm trail the FE Facelift’s 180 hp and 240 Nm
- Only two airbags; no Honda Sensing, collision warning or lane-keeping assistance
- No reverse camera, adaptive cruise control or rear air-con vents
FE Facelift
- 180 hp turbo engine with 240 Nm
- Honda Sensing and six airbags
- 497-litre boot and 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google built-in
- RM21,124 higher listed price
- 124 kg heavier at 1,349 kg
- 47-litre fuel tank is 3 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM112,776✓ | RM133,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM279 | RM90✓ |
| 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✓ |
| 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) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| 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 | — |
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 cars for sale
FB vs FE Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda Civic FB or Honda Civic FE Facelift better?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is better for safety, performance and equipment. It has 180 hp, 240 Nm, six airbags, Honda Sensing and a reverse camera, where the FB has 139 hp, 174 Nm, two airbags and no autonomous braking.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift costs RM21,124 more than the Honda Civic FB. That gap brings the turbo engine, CVT, Honda Sensing, a larger boot, adaptive cruise control and a 9.0-inch touchscreen.
Which Civic has lower road tax?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift has lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM279 for the Honda Civic FB. Its 1,498 cc turbo engine sits below the FB’s 1,798 cc naturally aspirated engine in capacity.