Verdict
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900, RM44,300 below the RM178,200 Honda CR-V, and is the quicker choice at 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h against 8.9 seconds. Its 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo petrol also brings annual road tax down to RM90, versus RM437 for the CR-V hybrid. But the CR-V earns its premium for family use: 589 litres of boot space, 92 litres more than the Civic, plus a 57-litre tank, eight airbags and blind-spot monitoring. The sedan is the sharper-value commuter; the SUV is the more useful five-seater for regular long trips and bulky loads.
Pick the Honda Civic if RM44,300 lower purchase cost, 8.3-second acceleration and RM90 annual road tax matter more than SUV space.
Pick the Honda CR-V if you need its 589-litre boot, 18-inch tyres, eight airbags and more accommodating rear-seat functions.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Honda CR-V RM178,200.
- Performance: Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; CR-V in 8.9 seconds.
- Boot space: Civic 497 litres; CR-V 589 litres.
- Road tax: Civic RM90 per year; CR-V RM437 per year.
- Dimensions: Civic is 4,678 mm long and 1,415 mm tall; CR-V is 4,691 mm long and 1,681 mm tall.
- Safety: Civic has six airbags; CR-V has eight airbags and blind-spot monitoring.
Civic
- RM44,300 cheaper to buy
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower RM90 annual road tax
- 497-litre boot is 92 litres smaller
- Six airbags versus the CR-V's eight, with no blind-spot system
- Manual front-seat adjustment and single-zone climate control
CR-V
- 589-litre boot and sliding, reclining rear seats
- Eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring and five-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Power front seats, dual-zone climate control and hands-free power boot
- RM44,300 higher purchase price
- Slower 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM437 annual road tax versus RM90
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM178,200 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM437 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 146 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 190 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 81 mm × 96.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 13.9 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,691 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,866 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,681 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,701 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,616 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 57 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 589 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/60R18 |
| 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 | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags) |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map 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 | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function |
| 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 | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 & CR-V for sale
Civic vs CR-V FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda CR-V better?
The Civic is better for lower-cost, quicker everyday driving, with 8.3-second acceleration and RM90 road tax. The CR-V is better for family practicality, adding 92 litres of boot space, rear-seat sliding and reclining, plus two more airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Honda CR-V costs RM178,200 and the Honda Civic costs RM133,900, so the CR-V costs RM44,300 more.
Which has the larger boot?
The Honda CR-V has the larger boot at 589 litres, compared with 497 litres in the Honda Civic. That is a 92-litre advantage, and the CR-V also has 60:40 split-folding rear seats that slide and recline.
