Verdict
At RM149,900, the 1.5L turbo RS is RM18,000 cheaper than the RM167,900 e:HEV RS and carries just RM90 annual road tax against RM377. Yet the hybrid is not simply an economy play: its 181 hp, 315 Nm motor helps it reach 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, 0.4 seconds ahead of the turbo. Both share the same 497-litre boot, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres and Honda Sensing. The e:HEV’s dual-zone climate control and wireless charger are useful, but the turbo’s Google built-in infotainment and lower ownership entry make it the sharper buy for most Malaysians.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the RM18,000 lower entry price, RM90 road tax and Google Services built-in.
Pick the Honda Civic if the quicker 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time, 181 hp/315 Nm motor, dual-zone air-con and wireless charger justify the extra outlay.
Key differences
- Price: RM149,900 vs RM167,900
- Road tax per year: RM90 vs RM377
- 0-100 km/h: 8.3 seconds vs 7.9 seconds
- Top speed: 200 km/h vs 180 km/h
- Climate control: single-zone automatic vs dual-zone automatic
- Front power provision: 1 front socket and 2 USB ports vs 1 front socket, wireless charger and 2 USB ports
1.5 RS Turbo
- RM18,000 lower purchase price
- Google Services built-in on the 9.0-inch touchscreen
- 200 km/h top speed versus 180 km/h
- 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time trails the hybrid’s 7.9 seconds
- Single-zone climate control instead of dual-zone
- No wireless phone charger
2.0 RS e:HEV
- 181 hp and 315 Nm electric motor
- Quicker 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Dual-zone climate control and a wireless charger
- RM18,000 higher purchase price
- RM377 annual road tax versus RM90
- 180 km/h top speed is 20 km/h lower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM149,900✓ | RM167,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM377 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 141 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.4 mm | 81 mm × 96.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 13.9 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | 7.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,362 kg | 1,445 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres | 497 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R18 | 235/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R18 | 235/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Matte Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Matte Grey Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| 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 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 9.0" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Front 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 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 |
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 cars for sale
1.5 RS Turbo vs 2.0 RS e:HEV FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda Civic better?
The e:HEV RS is better for outright acceleration and cabin convenience, but the 1.5L turbo RS is the better-value choice, retaining the same boot, tyres, safety systems and core practical layout for substantially less money.
What is the price difference?
The gap is RM18,000: the 1.5L turbo RS costs RM149,900 and the e:HEV RS costs RM167,900, both on-the-road without insurance.
Which Honda Civic has lower annual road tax?
The 1.5L turbo RS does, at RM90 per year. The e:HEV RS is RM377 per year, a RM287 annual difference.
