Verdict
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 to the Mazda 3 Sedan's RM119,620, a RM14,280 gap. Its 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine dwarfs the Mazda's 118 hp and 153 Nm, with an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim, while the Civic also brings a 497-litre boot and rear air-con vents. The Mazda counters with 18-inch wheels, seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and a 5.8 L/100 km rated economy figure. Choose the Civic for stronger overtaking and family practicality; the Mazda if its lower entry price and richer cabin equipment matter more.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm, a 497-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want to spend RM14,280 less while gaining seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620.
- Engine 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 alloys with 215/55R16 tyres; Mazda 3 Sedan 18-inch alloys with 215/45R18 tyres.
- Airbags: Honda Civic six; Mazda 3 Sedan seven, including a driver's knee airbag.
- Fuel tank: Honda Civic 47 litres; Mazda 3 Sedan 51 litres.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo petrol engine
- 497-litre boot
- Rear air-con vents and four rear USB ports
- One fewer airbag than the Mazda 3 Sedan
- No blind-spot information system or head-up display
- 16-inch wheels versus the Mazda's 18-inch set
3 Sedan
- Lower purchase price
- Seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring and head-up display
- 5.8 L/100 km rated economy and a 51-litre fuel tank
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Civic's 180 hp and 240 Nm
- 444-litre boot is 53 litres smaller
- No rear air-con vents
| 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 at 6,000 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 74.5 mm × 85.8 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 better pick for performance and carrying space, with 180 hp, 240 Nm and a 497-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan suits buyers who prioritise lower cost and equipment such as seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM14,280 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan. That extra money brings 62 hp, 87 Nm and 53 litres more boot space, but the Mazda has more standard safety and convenience equipment.
Which sedan has more luggage space?
The Honda Civic has the larger boot at 497 litres, compared with 444 litres in the Mazda 3 Sedan. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
