Verdict
At RM133,900, the Civic costs RM4,261 more than the RM129,639 Sportage, but its 1.5-litre turbo makes 180 hp and 240 Nm against the Kia’s 154 hp and 192 Nm, and Honda quotes 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. It also brings Honda Sensing autonomous braking, steering-correction lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. The Sportage answers with SUV practicality: a 587-litre boot, five doors and a 2,755-mm wheelbase. For Malaysian running costs, the Civic’s RM90 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than RM440.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the stronger 180 hp turbo, an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim and active safety aids including autonomous braking.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you need five-door SUV access, a 587-litre boot and a RM4,261 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Kia Sportage RM129,639.
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres.
- Annual road tax: Honda Civic RM90; Kia Sportage RM440.
- Wheelbase: Honda Civic 2,735 mm; Kia Sportage 2,755 mm.
- Weight: Honda Civic 1,349 kg; Kia Sportage 1,578 kg.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- RM90 annual road tax and unlimited-km five-year warranty.
- 497-litre boot is 90 litres smaller than the Sportage’s.
- Costs RM4,261 more than the Sportage.
- Four-door sedan body is less convenient than the Sportage’s five-door layout for loading.
Sportage
- 587-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- RM4,261 cheaper to buy.
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charger and 17-inch wheels.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed, where the Civic has both.
- RM440 annual road tax and a five-year/100,000-km warranty, versus RM90 and unlimited mileage for the Civic.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM129,639✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| 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 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 587 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) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| 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 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 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-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 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 & Sportage for sale
Civic vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Kia Sportage better?
The Civic is the better driver-focused choice on these figures, with 26 hp and 48 Nm more plus autonomous braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. The Sportage is better for luggage, with a 587-litre boot versus 497 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic is RM4,261 more expensive: RM133,900 versus RM129,639 for the Kia Sportage.
Which has the lower running-cost burden?
The Civic has the lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM440 for the Sportage. It also carries a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, while the Sportage warranty is five years or 100,000 km.
