Verdict
The Honda Civic FC costs RM108,165 against RM133,900 for the Honda Civic FE Facelift, a RM25,735 gap. The newer car earns much of it with 180 hp and 240 Nm versus 139 hp and 174 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h from 10.4 to 8.3 seconds. It also brings Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control and a 9.0-inch Google-equipped screen. But the FC counters with a 519-litre boot, 8-way powered driver’s seat and RM280 annual road tax; the FE’s 1.5-litre engine is only RM90 a year.
Pick the Honda Civic FC if you want the lower purchase price, a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre engine, 519 litres of boot space and a powered driver’s seat.
Pick the Honda Civic FE Facelift if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm, Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control, and can justify the RM25,735 extra outlay.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic FC RM108,165; Honda Civic FE Facelift RM133,900.
- Power and torque: FC 139 hp/174 Nm; FE Facelift 180 hp/240 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: FC 10.4 seconds; FE Facelift 8.3 seconds.
- Road tax: FC RM280 per year; FE Facelift RM90 per year.
- Wheelbase and boot: FC 2,700 mm/519 litres; FE Facelift 2,735 mm/497 litres.
- Driver assistance: FC has passive cruise control and no autonomous braking; FE Facelift has adaptive cruise control and Honda Sensing autonomous braking.
FC
- RM25,735 lower purchase price
- 519-litre boot, 22 litres larger
- 8-way powered driver’s seat
- 139 hp and 174 Nm trail the FE Facelift’s 180 hp and 240 Nm
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or steering correction
- Passive rather than adaptive cruise control
FE Facelift
- 180 hp and 240 Nm; 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and steering correction
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google services and wireless Apple CarPlay
- RM25,735 higher purchase price
- 497-litre boot is 22 litres smaller
- Manual-adjust driver’s seat instead of the FC’s 8-way power adjustment
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM108,165✓ | RM133,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM280 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve SOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,799 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp at 6,500 rpm | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 174 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 87.3 mm | 73 mm × 89.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | G-Design Shift CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 8.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,644 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,799 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,416 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,251 kg | 1,349 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 497 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 215/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 215/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental MaxContact MC5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Advance Display Audio with 8 Speakers | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive 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, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/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 cars for sale
FC vs FE Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda Civic FC or Honda Civic FE Facelift better?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is the better-equipped and much quicker car, with 180 hp, 240 Nm, Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control. Choose the FC instead if its lower RM108,165 price, larger 519-litre boot and powered driver’s seat matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift costs RM133,900 and the Honda Civic FC costs RM108,165, so the difference is RM25,735.
Which Civic has lower road tax?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift has lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM280 for the Honda Civic FC. Its 1,498 cc turbo engine sits below the FC’s 1,799 cc naturally aspirated unit.
