Verdict
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 to the Hyundai Tucson’s RM159,800, a RM25,900 gap. The Civic is the sharper value case on paper: it weighs 1,349 kg, makes 180 hp and brings autonomous braking plus lane-keeping steering correction. The Tucson counters with SUV utility, a 582-litre boot, 54-litre tank and 264 Nm from 1,500 rpm. Its 2,755-mm wheelbase, powered boot and eight-year/160,000-km warranty suit family use, but the Civic’s RM90 annual road tax undercuts the Tucson’s RM120.
Pick the Honda Civic if lower cost, Honda Sensing braking and lane-keeping assistance matter more than SUV cargo capacity.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need a 582-litre boot, higher 264-Nm torque and an eight-year warranty.
Key differences
- Engine output: Civic 180 hp at 6,000 rpm; Tucson 178 hp at 5,500 rpm.
- Torque: Civic 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm; Tucson 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm.
- Boot space: Civic 497 litres; Tucson 582 litres.
- Kerb weight: Civic 1,349 kg; Tucson 1,521 kg.
- Wheels and tyres: Civic 16-inch alloys with 215/55R16 tyres; Tucson 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 tyres.
- Warranty: Civic five years with unlimited mileage; Tucson eight years/160,000 km.
Civic
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction
- 180 hp from a 1,349-kg body
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 497-litre boot trails the Tucson’s 582 litres
- 240 Nm is 24 Nm down on the Tucson
- No blind spot information system
Tucson
- 582-litre boot and powered tailgate
- 264 Nm arrives from 1,500 rpm
- Eight-year/160,000-km warranty
- 178 hp is 2 hp below the Civic
- RM120 annual road tax versus the Civic’s RM90
- No lane-keeping assist or autonomous braking, unlike the Civic
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM159,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm | 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,665 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,521 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 54 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 582 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 Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| 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) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear 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 | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 8 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 & Tucson for sale
Civic vs Tucson FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Hyundai Tucson better?
The Civic is better for a lower-cost, lighter sedan with autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction. The Tucson is better for family cargo space, stronger 264-Nm torque and its eight-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic is RM25,900 cheaper, at RM133,900 versus RM159,800 for the Hyundai Tucson. Its annual road tax is also RM30 lower, at RM90 instead of RM120.
Which has more usable family space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the more useful load area, with a 582-litre boot against the Civic’s 497 litres. It also has a 2,755-mm wheelbase, 20 mm longer than the Civic’s.
