Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic costs RM74,100 more than the RM59,800 Proton S70, but brings 180 hp and 240 Nm against 118 hp and 150 Nm, plus a 2,735-mm wheelbase and multi-link rear suspension. It also gets Honda Sensing with autonomous braking, steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The S70 is 80 kg lighter, 7 mm wider and has a marginally larger 500-litre boot, but its halogen lamps, torsion-beam rear end and lack of AEB make the price saving the central argument.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm, Honda Sensing and a multi-link rear suspension.
Pick the Proton S70 if saving RM74,100 matters more than the Civic’s stronger performance and driver-assistance systems.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Proton S70 RM59,800.
- Output: Honda Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Proton S70 118 hp and 150 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Honda Civic 2,735 mm; Proton S70 2,627 mm.
- Rear suspension: Honda Civic multi-link; Proton S70 torsion beam.
- Active safety: Honda Civic has AEB, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control; Proton S70 has none of these.
- Headlamps: Honda Civic LED reflectors with auto high beam; Proton S70 halogen units.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm from 1.5 litres
- Honda Sensing AEB and adaptive cruise control
- Multi-link rear suspension and 2,735-mm wheelbase
- RM74,100 more expensive
- 497-litre boot is 3 litres smaller
- 80 kg heavier
S70
- RM74,100 lower purchase price
- 500-litre boot and 50-litre fuel tank
- Blind-spot information system and rear cross-traffic alert
- 118 hp and 150 Nm trail the Civic
- No AEB, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
- Halogen headlamps and torsion-beam rear suspension
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| 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 | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,269 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Halogen |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air Conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | — |
| Cup Holders | 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 | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 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 | — | 6x free labour servicing |
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 & S70 for sale
Civic vs S70 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Proton S70 better?
The Honda Civic is the more capable car on performance, active safety and rear suspension, with 180 hp, Honda Sensing and a multi-link rear end. The Proton S70 is the budget choice, retaining six airbags, blind-spot information and a 500-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM74,100 more than the Proton S70. That gap buys 62 hp, 90 Nm, AEB, lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise control, LED auto-high-beam headlamps and a multi-link rear suspension.
Which car has more boot space?
The Proton S70 has the larger boot at 500 litres, just 3 litres ahead of the Honda Civic’s 497 litres. Both are five-seat, four-door sedans.
