Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM9,988 less than the Hyundai Tucson, yet its 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine beats the SUV’s 154 hp and 192 Nm naturally aspirated unit; it also records 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. Honda Sensing brings autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control, none of which the Tucson lists. But the Tucson is the more practical five-door: its 582-litre boot is 85 litres larger, with a 2,755-mm wheelbase and 54-litre tank. Its RM440 annual road tax is steep beside the Civic’s RM90.
Pick the Honda Civic if lower purchase and road-tax costs, stronger turbo performance and Honda Sensing matter more than SUV space.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need a five-door SUV with a 582-litre boot, larger fuel tank and longer eight-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Hyundai Tucson RM143,888.
- Engine output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Hyundai Tucson 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Road tax per year: Honda Civic RM90; Hyundai Tucson RM440.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Hyundai Tucson 582 litres.
- Safety assistance: Honda Civic has autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control; Hyundai Tucson has none, no and passive cruise control.
- Warranty: Honda Civic five years with unlimited mileage; Hyundai Tucson eight years or 160,000 km.
Civic
- RM9,988 lower purchase price and RM350 lower annual road tax.
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine; 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- 497-litre boot is 85 litres smaller than the Tucson’s.
- Five-year warranty is three years shorter than the Tucson’s eight-year cover.
- Single-zone climate control and a 9.0-inch screen trail the Tucson’s dual-zone system and 12.3-inch display.
Tucson
- 582-litre boot, 54-litre fuel tank and five-door SUV body.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 12.3-inch curved widescreen, navigation, dual-zone climate control and wireless charger.
- Costs RM9,988 more and carries RM440 annual road tax versus the Civic’s RM90.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm fall short of the Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning; cruise control is passive.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM143,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 181 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,665 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,488 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 54 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 582 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| 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 | 60:40 Split-fold |
| 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| 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 | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 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✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 8 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 & Tucson for sale
Civic vs Tucson FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Hyundai Tucson better?
The Civic is the stronger buy for performance, active safety and lower ownership costs: it has 180 hp, Honda Sensing and RM90 annual road tax. Choose the Tucson if its 582-litre boot, SUV format and eight-year warranty are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Tucson costs RM9,988 more than the Honda Civic: RM143,888 versus RM133,900.
Which has more luggage space and longer warranty?
The Hyundai Tucson has both. Its boot holds 582 litres versus the Civic’s 497 litres, and its warranty runs for eight years or 160,000 km, compared with five years and unlimited mileage for the Civic.
