Verdict
At RM131,900 against RM133,900, the FE1 keeps the 180 hp/240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, CVT, 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim and 497-litre boot of the facelift for RM2,000 less. The RM2,000 gap buys cabin tech: a 9.0-inch Google-built-in display, eight speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and automatic wipers, where the FE1 has a 7.0-inch screen, four speakers and wired phone integration. Mechanically, these two are too close to separate; buy on infotainment priorities and, for an outgoing FE1, condition and its actual equipment list.
Pick the Honda Civic FE1 if you want the same 180 hp, 240 Nm turbo drivetrain and 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim for RM2,000 less, plus paddle shifts and remote start.
Pick the Honda Civic FE Facelift if its 9.0-inch Google-built-in touchscreen, eight speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and automatic wipers matter more than the RM2,000 premium.
Key differences
- Price: RM131,900 for the FE1 versus RM133,900 for the FE Facelift.
- Touchscreen: 7.0-inch Advanced Display Audio for the FE1 versus 9.0-inch Advanced Display Audio with Google Services Built-in for the FE Facelift.
- Audio: four speakers in the FE1 versus eight speakers in the FE Facelift.
- Apple CarPlay: wired only in the FE1 versus wired and wireless in the FE Facelift.
- Front USB ports: one front USB in the FE1 versus two front USB ports in the FE Facelift.
- Convenience controls: paddle shifts and no automatic wipers in the FE1 versus no paddle shifts and automatic wipers in the FE Facelift.
FE1
- RM2,000 lower purchase price
- Paddle shifts
- Remote start and walk-away auto lock
- 7.0-inch screen versus the facelift's 9.0-inch Google-built-in unit
- Four speakers versus eight
- Wired-only Apple CarPlay and no automatic wipers
FE Facelift
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google Services Built-in
- Eight-speaker audio and wireless Apple CarPlay
- Automatic wipers and two front USB ports
- Costs RM2,000 more
- No paddle shifts
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM131,900✓ | RM133,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 73 mm × 89.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | 8.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,349 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 497 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 215/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 215/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | 16" Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | 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) |
| Chassis Notes | Agile Handling Assist | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (5 to 100 km/h) | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Front Departure Alert, Driver Attention Monitor | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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 USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 4 Speakers, Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 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 and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five 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
FE1 vs FE Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda Civic FE1 or Honda Civic FE Facelift better?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is better for cabin technology, with a 9.0-inch Google-built-in touchscreen, eight speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and automatic wipers. The FE1 is the sharper value choice because its 180 hp, 240 Nm powertrain and 8.3-second acceleration claim are unchanged.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift costs RM2,000 more: RM133,900 versus RM131,900 for the Honda Civic FE1.
Does the Honda Civic FE Facelift have more performance?
No. Both use a 1,498 cc turbocharged petrol four-cylinder with 180 hp at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm, driving the front wheels through a CVT. Both have an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim.
