Verdict
At RM133,900, the Civic costs RM18,000 more than the RM115,900 HR-V, but that gap brings 180 hp and 240 Nm against 119 hp and 145 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h claim from 12.1 to 8.3 seconds. It is also a larger C-segment sedan with a 497-litre boot, six airbags and multi-link rear suspension. The HR-V is the cheaper B-segment SUV, 176 mm taller, with five doors, 18-inch wheels and ULTRA rear seats. For Malaysian buyers carrying bulky loads, the Civic’s 162-litre boot advantage matters. Civic road tax is RM90 yearly, RM30 below the HR-V.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want substantially stronger turbo performance, a 497-litre boot and six airbags.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you prefer a taller five-door SUV body, ULTRA rear seats and the lower entry price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Honda HR-V RM115,900.
- Power: Honda Civic 180 hp; Honda HR-V 119 hp.
- Torque: Honda Civic 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm; Honda HR-V 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic 8.3 seconds; Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Honda HR-V 335 litres.
- Airbags: Honda Civic 6; Honda HR-V 4.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine
- 497-litre boot and longer 2,735 mm wheelbase
- Six airbags, front parking sensors and auto wipers
- Higher purchase price
- 16-inch wheels versus the HR-V’s 18-inch wheels
- No ULTRA rear-seat function or rear-seat recline
HR-V
- Lower purchase price
- ULTRA rear seats with manual recline
- 18-inch wheels and walk-away auto lock
- 119 hp and 145 Nm leave it much slower
- 335-litre boot is 162 litres smaller
- Four airbags versus the Civic’s six
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM115,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 73 mm × 89.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 12.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 186 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,347 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,591 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,274 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 335 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| 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) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear 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 |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front |
| 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 | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| 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 & HR-V for sale
Civic vs HR-V FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda HR-V better?
The Honda Civic is better for performance, boot capacity and airbag count, with 180 hp, a 497-litre boot and six airbags. The Honda HR-V suits buyers who place more value on a taller SUV body and ULTRA rear-seat flexibility.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM18,000 more than the Honda HR-V: RM133,900 versus RM115,900.
Which is quicker, the Honda Civic or Honda HR-V?
The Honda Civic is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds versus 12.1 seconds for the Honda HR-V. Its 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine also substantially exceeds the HR-V’s 119 hp and 145 Nm.
