Verdict
With only RM100 separating them, this is a choice of format and priorities rather than budget. The Honda Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo dwarf the Toyota Corolla Cross’ 138 hp and 172 Nm 1.8-litre naturally aspirated unit, while its 8.3-second 0-100 km/h claim, 2,735-mm wheelbase and 497-litre boot suit buyers wanting a quicker, roomier sedan. The Corolla Cross counters with SUV bodywork, 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera and a powered tailgate, but its RM359 annual road tax is far above the Civic’s RM90.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm, a 497-litre boot and RM90 annual road tax in a lower-slung sedan.
Pick the Toyota Corolla Cross if you want a five-door SUV with an 18-inch wheel package, blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera and powered tailgate.
Key differences
- Performance: Civic 180 hp and 240 Nm; Corolla Cross 138 hp and 172 Nm.
- Road tax: Civic RM90 per year; Corolla Cross RM359 per year.
- Boot space: Civic 497 litres; Corolla Cross 440 litres.
- Wheelbase: Civic 2,735 mm; Corolla Cross 2,640 mm.
- Height and wheels: Civic 1,415 mm on 16-inch alloys; Corolla Cross 1,620 mm on 18-inch alloys.
- Rear suspension: Civic multi-link; Corolla Cross torsion beam.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo engine
- 497-litre boot and 2,735-mm wheelbase
- RM90 annual road tax
- No blind-spot information system or 360-degree camera
- Manual driver’s seat and no powered tailgate
- 16-inch wheels versus the Corolla Cross’ 18-inch set
Corolla Cross
- Blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera
- Powered contactless tailgate
- 18-inch alloy wheels and front/rear foglamps
- 138 hp and 172 Nm trail the Civic’s 180 hp and 240 Nm
- RM359 annual road tax versus RM90
- 440-litre boot is 57 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900 | RM133,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM359 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing (Dual VVT-i) |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 138 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 440 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| 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) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 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 | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 & Corolla Cross for sale
Civic vs Corolla Cross FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla Cross better?
The Civic is better for performance, lower annual road tax and luggage capacity: it has 180 hp, 240 Nm and a 497-litre boot. The Corolla Cross is better equipped for parking and visibility, with blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera and a powered tailgate.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM133,900 and the Toyota Corolla Cross costs RM133,800, so the Corolla Cross is RM100 cheaper.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda Civic has the bigger boot at 497 litres, against 440 litres in the Toyota Corolla Cross. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
