Verdict
At RM399,900, the Honda Civic Type R undercuts the RM509,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class by RM109,988, yet it is no stripped-out alternative: it brings adaptive dampers, 410 litres of boot space and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. The AMG answers with a huge performance advantage, its 421 hp, 500 Nm and all-wheel drive delivering 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds versus 5.5 seconds. For a Malaysian buyer who wants a manual hot hatch and usable luggage room, the Honda makes stronger financial sense; the Mercedes is the faster, more lavishly equipped choice.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want the RM109,988 saving, a six-speed manual, 410-litre boot and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class if you want 421 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class RM509,888.
- Performance: Honda Civic Type R 315 hp, 420 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class 421 hp, 500 Nm and 3.9 seconds.
- Transmission and drive: Honda Civic Type R six-speed manual, front-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class has five seats and a 370-litre boot.
- Weight and fuel tank: Honda Civic Type R weighs 1,423 kg with a 47-litre tank; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class weighs 1,550 kg with a 51-litre tank.
- Warranty: Honda Civic Type R has a five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class has a two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer…
Civic Type R
- RM109,988 cheaper.
- Larger 410-litre boot.
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
- Slower 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.9 seconds.
- Four seats versus five.
- 315 hp and 420 Nm trail 421 hp and 500 Nm.
AMG A-Class
- 421 hp, 500 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Power front seats with memory, head-up display and auto parking.
- RM109,988 more expensive.
- Smaller 370-litre boot.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900✓ | RM509,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM376✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp at 6,500 rpm | 421 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 420 Nm at 2,600 rpm | 500 Nm at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 85.9 mm | 83 mm × 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 270 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 189 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,412 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Michelin Pilot Sport 4S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive dampers, Dynamic Select, AMG Performance Exhaust |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 | 4 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, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 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 Type R & AMG A-Class for sale
Civic Type R vs AMG A-Class FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class better?
The AMG A-Class is decisively quicker, with 421 hp, all-wheel drive and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The Civic Type R is the better buy for manual-shift involvement, a 410-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a RM109,988 lower price.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class costs RM109,988 more than the Honda Civic Type R.
Which car is more practical?
The Civic Type R has the larger boot at 410 litres versus 370 litres, but it seats four. The AMG A-Class seats five and has a slightly longer 51-litre fuel tank versus 47 litres.
