Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic undercuts the RM134,469 Mazda CX-5 by just RM569, yet its 180 hp/240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds against 10.4 seconds. It also brings Honda Sensing, steering lane correction and adaptive cruise control, while costing RM90 a year in road tax rather than RM439. The CX-5 counters with SUV height, a 56-litre tank and dual-zone climate control, but its 442-litre boot trails the Civic’s 497 litres. For a Malaysian buyer prioritising pace, driver assistance and running costs, the Civic is the clearer choice.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm from 1,700 rpm, an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and Honda Sensing for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you need a 1,675-mm-tall SUV body, 17-inch wheels, a 56-litre fuel tank and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469.
- Performance: Honda Civic 180 hp, 240 Nm and 8.3 sec to 100 km/h; Mazda CX-5 162 hp, 213 Nm and 10.4 sec.
- Road tax: Honda Civic RM90/year; Mazda CX-5 RM439/year.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Mazda CX-5 442 litres.
- Height and wheels: Honda Civic 1,415 mm and 16-inch alloys; Mazda CX-5 1,675 mm and 17-inch alloys.
- Driver assistance: Honda Civic has autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control; Mazda CX-5 has none, no lane keeping and…
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- 497-litre boot and RM90 annual road tax.
- Single-zone climate control versus the CX-5's dual-zone system.
- 47-litre fuel tank versus the CX-5's 56 litres.
- 16-inch wheels versus the CX-5's 17-inch alloys.
CX-5
- Taller 1,675-mm SUV body and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- 56-litre fuel tank and dual-zone automatic climate control.
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, navigation and a wireless charger.
- Slower 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus the Civic's 8.3 seconds.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, and passive rather than adaptive cruise control.
- RM439 annual road tax versus the Civic's RM90.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM134,469 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 56 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" 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) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 & CX-5 for sale
Civic vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Mazda CX-5 better?
The Honda Civic is the better buy on these figures: it is cheaper, faster, has more boot space, costs far less in road tax and includes autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control. Choose the CX-5 for its taller SUV body and dual-zone air-con.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM569 less than the Mazda CX-5. That small gap also leaves the Civic with 18 hp more, 27 Nm more torque and substantially more active driver assistance.
Which has lower running costs?
The Civic has the clear road-tax advantage at RM90 per year, compared with RM439 for the CX-5. Its smaller 1,498 cc turbo engine also produces more power and torque than the Mazda’s 1,998 cc naturally aspirated unit.
