Honda Civic has always been a great car, but it is even better with the e:HEV powertrain
EVERY segment has a benchmark. Not necessarily the fastest car, the longest equipment list, or the most aggressive financing package. Instead, it is the car that consistently finds itself on every buyer’s shortlist because it gets the fundamentals right.
In Malaysia’s C-segment sedan market, that car has been the Honda Civic for decades. Ask 10 different people what they want from a car and you might get 10 different answers. Some prioritise practicality, others value performance, fuel efficiency, comfort, technology or brand reputation.
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The reason the Civic has remained relevant for so long is because it manages to sit comfortably at the intersection of all those requirements. It looks good without being overly dramatic. The black trim pieces, spoiler and 18-inch wheels in the RS variant give it a more purposeful look, while the leatherand-suede seats, alloy pedals and black headliner add just enough sporting flavour inside.
It is not an aggressive car by modern standards, but perhaps that is precisely why it has aged so well. The Civic no longer needs to shout. It offers enough performance to be enjoyable without becoming intimidating.
It is practical enough for family duties yet engaging enough to satisfy those who still enjoy driving. More importantly, it has always been easy to recommend. Having spent time with the FE-generation Civic when it first arrived in Malaysia, what stood out most was not any single headline feature. It was how complete the package felt.
The driving position was excellent. Visibility was among the best in its class. The controls fell naturally to hand, and the cabin offered enough space for four adults to travel comfortably. Honda simply nailed the fundamentals, and that formula remains intact today.
The latest Civic continues to offer the same clean exterior design, spacious cabin and polished driving manners that made it one of the segment’s benchmark models in the first place. The difference now is that the rangetopping e:HEV RS adds another dimension to an already strong package.
At the heart of the Civic e:HEV RS is Honda’s 2.0-litre e:HEV powertrain, a system backed by over 22 years of Honda hybrid technology. Unlike some hybrid systems that constantly remind you of what they are doing, Honda’s approach is refreshingly seamless.
Most of the time, you simply drive the car and let it figure out the rest. In urban traffic and lower-speed conditions, the Civic often operates like an electric vehicle. The electric motor handles propulsion quietly and smoothly while the petrol engine works in the background when required, either generating electricity or assisting directly when conditions demand it.
The transition between power sources is so smooth that most drivers will never notice it, and that refinement is arguably the system’s biggest strength. The result is a car that feels effortless in traffic, relaxed on longer journeys and remarkably efficient considering its performance. Yet efficiency alone is not what makes the Civic appealing.
The car has always been one of the more engaging sedans in its segment and the hybrid continues that tradition. The steering remains precise and accurate, allowing the car to be placed confidently through corners. Body control is excellent, while the chassis strikes a balance between comfort and composure that few rivals manage to achieve.
The additional weight from the hybrid system actually works in the car’s favour, giving it a more planted and settled character. Combined with the slightly lower ride height and improved structural rigidity, the Civic e:HEV feels composed whether navigating daily commutes or tackling your favourite stretch of B-road. Just as importantly, it remains easy to live with.
The latest Civic features Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity alongside Google built-in functionality, allowing navigation, media and connected services to be accessed conveniently through the infotainment system. Features such as Walk-Away Auto Lock may seem small on paper, but they contribute to the Civic’s broader appeal.
Like many of the car’s strengths, they are features you only truly appreciate after living with them every day. Safety continues to be a priority too, with Honda Sensing providing a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems designed to make daily driving less stressful and long-distance journeys more comfortable.
The Honda Civic continues to be the default answer whenever discussions about C-segment sedans arise. And that is because it is difficult to find any major weaknesses because every aspect of the car has been developed with balance in mind. The hybrid system does not transform the Civic into something completely different.
Instead, it enhances the qualities that made the Civic successful in the first place. In a market increasingly filled with vehicles chasing bigger screens, more features and longer specification sheets, there is still something refreshing about a car that focuses on getting the fundamentals right. The Honda Civic remains the default answer.
The e:HEV RS simply gives buyers even more reasons why. It also drives well, with the steering feeling chatty and connected to the wheels rather than having a dull feel, that is commonplace among cars with electronic steering racks these days. With 184PS under your right foot and 315Nm of torque available from zero engine rpm, acceleration feels urgent and spirited.
This gives the car a sporty feel while your family will appreciate the comfort levels of the back seats. But it is the handling of the car that will have you grinning as you carve through your favourite corners. With a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the Civic e:HEV RS feels confident in corners, in fact you have to try really hard to unsettle the car as even the spring and damper rates have been tuned to balance comfort and performance.
For those considering one, the Honda Civic e:HEV RS is priced at RM167,900 but Honda Malaysia’s current “Hybrid Done Right” campaign makes it even more tempting than ever. The car currently comes with rewards worth up to RM12,000, making it a tempting proposition for a sedan that perfectly blends performance and efficiency in a handsome package.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson-cycle
Transmission: e-CVT Power: 184PS
Torque: 315Nm
Price (as tested): RM167,900
We like: Fun to drive, efficient.
We don’t like: Seats needs more bolstering over long distances.
