Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM14,280 more than the RM119,620 Mazda 3 Sedan, but brings a 180 hp/240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo against 118 hp/153 Nm from Mazda’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit. Its 497-litre boot is also 53 litres larger, with rear air vents and two rear USB ports useful for regular family duty. The Mazda counters with 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Choose on priorities: Honda for pace and space; Mazda for equipment and a lower entry price.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm, an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a 497-litre boot.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you prioritise a lower buy-in, 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620.
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Honda Civic 16-inch wheels with 215/55R16 tyres; Mazda 3 Sedan 18-inch wheels with 215/45R18 tyres.
- Rear suspension: Honda Civic multi-link; Mazda 3 Sedan torsion beam.
- Fuel tank: Honda Civic 47 litres; Mazda 3 Sedan 51 litres.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm from the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
- 497-litre boot, rear air vents and two rear USB ports.
- 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim and multi-link rear suspension.
- Costs RM14,280 more.
- Uses 16-inch wheels where the Mazda gets 18-inch items.
- Lacks the Mazda’s blind-spot monitoring, head-up display and power-adjustable driver’s seat.
3 Sedan
- Lower purchase price and a rated 5.8 L/100 km fuel consumption figure.
- 18-inch wheels, head-up display and built-in navigation.
- Blind-spot monitoring, driver’s knee airbag and dual-zone automatic climate control.
- Its 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- 444-litre boot is 53 litres smaller.
- No rear air vents or rear USB ports.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM119,620✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 118 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 153 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,361 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 444 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| 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) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| 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 | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000 km free service |
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 & 3 Sedan for sale
Civic vs 3 Sedan FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Mazda 3 Sedan better?
The Honda Civic is the stronger practical choice, with 180 hp, 240 Nm, an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a 497-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan is the better-equipped lower-cost alternative, with blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and 18-inch wheels.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM14,280 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan. The gap buys substantially more power and torque, a larger boot, rear air vents and rear USB ports, while the Mazda retains several extra convenience and safety features.
Which sedan is better for carrying passengers and luggage?
The Honda Civic is better for family carrying duties. It has a 497-litre boot versus 444 litres, plus rear air vents and two rear USB ports. Both cars seat five and use 60:40 split-folding rear seatbacks.
