Verdict
At RM133,900, the Honda Civic FE Facelift costs RM21,124 more than the RM112,776 Honda Civic FB, but the gap brings 180 hp and 240 Nm against 139 hp and 174 Nm, plus six airbags rather than two. Its 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time, Honda Sensing and 497-litre boot make it the more complete Malaysian daily sedan. The FB counters with a larger 50-litre tank, a 124 kg lower kerb weight and RM279 annual road tax, versus RM90 for the 1.5-litre FE. Buy used condition carefully; the FB is now firmly an older-generation choice.
Pick the Honda Civic FB if a lower entry price, a 50-litre fuel tank and simpler naturally aspirated 1.8-litre petrol power matter more than newer safety and infotainment.
Pick the Honda Civic FE Facelift if you want 180 hp, 240 Nm, six airbags, Honda Sensing and a 497-litre boot in a newer Civic.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic FB RM112,776; Honda Civic FE Facelift RM133,900.
- Power and torque: FB 139 hp and 174 Nm; FE Facelift 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- Safety: FB has 2 airbags; FE Facelift has 6 airbags plus Honda Sensing.
- Dimensions and boot: FB is 4,525 mm long with 460 litres; FE Facelift is 4,678 mm long with 497 litres.
- Road tax and tank: FB is RM279 yearly with a 50-litre tank; FE Facelift is RM90 yearly with a 47-litre tank.
- Transmission: FB uses a 5-speed automatic; FE Facelift uses a CVT automatic.
FB
- RM21,124 lower price.
- 50-litre fuel tank, 3 litres larger.
- 124 kg lighter kerb weight.
- 139 hp and 174 Nm trail the FE Facelift’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- Only 2 airbags, without Honda Sensing or a reverse camera.
- 460-litre boot is 37 litres smaller.
FE Facelift
- 180 hp and 240 Nm turbo petrol engine.
- Six airbags and Honda Sensing.
- 497-litre boot, rear AC vents and a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google built-in.
- Costs RM21,124 more.
- 47-litre fuel tank is 3 litres smaller.
- At 1,349 kg, it is 124 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM112,776✓ | RM133,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM279 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve SOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp at 6,500 rpm | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 174 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 87.3 mm | 73 mm × 89.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5-Speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 5 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 8.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,525 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,755 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,225 kg | 1,349 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 497 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R16 | 215/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R16 | 215/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental MaxContact MC5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 2 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 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 on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km, 30,000 km, 50,000 km, 70,000 km and 90,000 km intervals | — |
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
FB vs FE Facelift FAQ
Is the Honda Civic FB or Honda Civic FE Facelift better?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift is better for safety, performance and daily equipment: it has 180 hp, six airbags, Honda Sensing and a reverse camera. The Honda Civic FB suits buyers prioritising the lower price, lighter 1,225 kg kerb weight and larger tank.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift costs RM133,900 and the Honda Civic FB is RM112,776, a difference of RM21,124. The FE Facelift adds 41 hp, 66 Nm, four extra airbags, Honda Sensing and a 37-litre larger boot.
Which Civic has better safety equipment?
The Honda Civic FE Facelift has the stronger safety package: six airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning, steering correction, adaptive cruise control and a reverse camera. The Honda Civic FB has two airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control, but lacks those driver-assistance systems.
