Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM31,130 less than the RM165,030 Kia Optima and its RM90 annual road tax is RM289 lower. The Civic’s 180 hp/240 Nm turbo is slower, reaching 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds against the Optima’s 7.4 seconds, but it brings Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. The larger Optima counters with 242 hp, 350 Nm, a 70-litre tank and far richer front-seat comfort. For most Malaysian buyers, the Civic is the sharper buy on price and active safety.
Pick the Honda Civic if Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control, a 9.0-inch Google-equipped screen and much lower purchase and road-tax costs matter most.
Pick the Kia Optima if you want 242 hp, 350 Nm, a larger D-segment cabin footprint and powered heated, ventilated front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Kia Optima RM165,030.
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Kia Optima 242 hp and 350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic 8.3 seconds; Kia Optima 7.4 seconds.
- Size: Honda Civic 4,678 mm long with a 2,735 mm wheelbase; Kia Optima 4,855 mm and 2,805 mm.
- Fuel tank: Honda Civic 47 litres; Kia Optima 70 litres.
- Wheels: Honda Civic 16-inch alloys on 215/55R16 tyres; Kia Optima 18-inch alloys on 235/45R18 tyres.
Civic
- RM31,130 lower purchase price
- Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay
- 62 hp and 110 Nm down on the Optima
- Manual front-seat adjustment versus powered, heated and ventilated Optima seats
- Smaller 47-litre tank and 497-litre boot
Optima
- 242 hp and 350 Nm, with a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Powered, heated and ventilated front seats with driver memory
- Panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control and manual rear door shades
- Costs RM31,130 more and annual road tax is RM379 versus RM90
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assistance
- 7.0-inch screen and six speakers versus the Civic’s 9.0-inch unit and eight speakers
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM165,030 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm | 242 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,350 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 86 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | 7.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 191 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,855 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,805 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,580 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size 18" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 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 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 | Dynamic LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Memory Function for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear door window shades |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 7.0" touchscreen with 6 speakers |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 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 | Electroluminescent 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 Civic & Optima for sale
Civic vs Optima FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Kia Optima better?
The Honda Civic is better for lower ownership entry cost and active safety, with autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. The Kia Optima is better for outright performance and comfort, producing 242 hp and 350 Nm with powered heated and ventilated front seats.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Optima costs RM165,030, which is RM31,130 more than the Honda Civic at RM133,900. Its annual road tax is also RM379, compared with RM90 for the Civic.
Which car is quicker and more practical?
The Kia Optima is quicker, completing 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds against the Civic’s 8.3 seconds. It is also longer at 4,855 mm, has a 2,805 mm wheelbase and a 510-litre boot, versus 4,678 mm, 2,735 mm and 497 litres.
