Verdict
The RM41,090-cheaper Honda Civic Type R is the harder-driving choice: its 315 hp and 420 Nm beat the Audi A5 Sportback’s 249 hp and 370 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and continuing to 272 km/h. It also brings adaptive dampers, Honda Sensing autonomous braking and a five-year warranty. The Audi counters with all-wheel drive, a seven-speed dual-clutch, five seats and a 480-litre boot against the Honda’s four seats and 410 litres. For Malaysian daily use, the Audi’s larger cabin footprint and rear air-con matter; for performance, take the Honda.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you need five seats, a 480-litre boot, all-wheel drive and the convenience of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want 315 hp, a six-speed manual, adaptive dampers and Honda Sensing for RM41,090 less.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; Honda Civic Type R RM399,900.
- Power and torque: Audi 249 hp and 370 Nm; Honda 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Audi all-wheel drive with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; Honda front-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Practicality: Audi has five seats and a 480-litre boot; Honda has four seats and a 410-litre boot.
- Dimensions and weight: Audi is 4,757 mm long and 1,605 kg; Honda is 4,593 mm long and 1,423 kg.
- Warranty: Audi has two years with unlimited mileage; Honda has five years with unlimited mileage.
A5 Sportback
- All-wheel drive and seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic.
- Five seats and a 480-litre boot.
- 12-way powered front seats, rear air-con and powered hands-free boot.
- RM41,090 more expensive.
- 249 hp and 370 Nm trail the Honda’s 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- No autonomous braking or collision warning, and a two-year warranty versus five years.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp, 420 Nm and a 272 km/h top speed.
- Adaptive dampers, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
- RM41,090 lower price and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- Four seats and a 410-litre boot, against five seats and 480 litres.
- Manual front seats and no rear air-con.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,990 | RM399,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM378 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,996 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp at 5,000 rpm | 315 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 420 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 86 mm × 85.9 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 9.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Honda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,593 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,407 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,734 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,423 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 410 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 265/30R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 265/30R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain) | 6 (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 | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 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 A5 Sportback & Civic Type R for sale
A5 Sportback vs Civic Type R FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Honda Civic Type R better?
The Civic Type R is better for outright performance and driver involvement, with 315 hp, 420 Nm, adaptive dampers and a six-speed manual. The A5 Sportback is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats, all-wheel drive and a 480-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM41,090 more than the Honda Civic Type R: RM440,990 versus RM399,900.
Which is more practical for daily family use?
The Audi A5 Sportback is more practical. It has five seats rather than four, a 480-litre boot instead of 410 litres, 40:20:40 rear seat folding and rear single-zone automatic climate control.
