2019 Honda Civic vs rivals: Specifications comparison

We pit the upcoming Honda Civic against its competition in the executive sedan segment like the Hyundai Elantra, the Skoda Octavia and the Toyota Corolla Altis.

Published On Feb 21, 2019 06:00:00 AM

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2019 Honda Civic vs rivals: Specifications comparison

Honda’s bringing its Civic sedan back to India about six years after the eighth-gen model was discontinued. The 10th-gen Civic will face-off against familiar rivals when it launches in India on March 7, 2019, including the Toyota Corolla Altis, Hyundai Elantra and the Skoda Octavia. We’ve brought the four executive sedans together, on paper, to find out if the new Honda Civic will be a viable alternative to its competition.

First, take a look at the Civic's technical specifications:

2019 Honda Civic technical specifications
	Honda Civic petrol	Honda Civic diesel
LxWxH	4656x1799x1433mm	4656x1799x1433mm
Wheelbase	2700mm	2700mm
Fuel tank	47 litres	47 litres
Kerb weight	1300kg	1353kg
Boot space	430 litres	430 litres
Turning diameter	11.7m	11.7m
Suspension (front)	Macpherson Strut	Macpherson Strut
Suspension (rear)	Independent Multilink	Independent Multilink
Brake (front)	Disc	Disc
Brake (rear)	Disc	Disc
Tyre size	215/50 R17	215/50 R17
Engine type	4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol	4-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Displacement	1799cc	1597cc
Number of valves	4 valves per cylinder, SOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Power	141hp at 6500rpm	120hp at 4000rpm
Torque	174Nm at 4300rpm	300Nm at 2000rpm
Transmission	7-step CVT	6-speed manual
Fuel efficiency	16.5kpl	26.8kpl

Dimensions

Honda’s new Civic may be larger than the previous eighth-gen model on sale in India, but it's about the same size as its rivals. In fact, the Civic is the shortest model here; but also has the smallest boot space and fuel tank. The Civic may not be as manoeuvrable in the city as its competition due to its significantly higher turning circle. However, the Honda does have the largest wheels and thickest tyres of the lot. In terms of overall dimensions, the Octavia is the largest car, suggesting the most interior room, too. The Elantra, meanwhile, walks the line in-between – an average car amongst its competitors.

2019 Civic vs rivals: Dimensions
	Civic	Elantra	Octavia	Corolla Altis
Length	4656mm	4570mm	4670mm	4620mm
Width	1799mm	1800mm	1814mm	1775mm
Height	1433mm	1465mm	1476mm	1475mm
Wheelbase	2700mm	2700mm	2688mm	2700mm
Kerb weight	1300-1353kg	1271-1408kg	1235-1395kg	1220-1310kg
Fuel tank	47 litres	50 litres	50 litres	43-55 litres
Boot space	430 litres	458 litres	590 litres	470 litres
Turning circle	11.7m	10.6m	10.4m	10.8m
Tyre size	215/50 R17	205/60 R16	205/55 R16	205/55 R16

Powertrain

Even in the powertrain department, the Honda Civic doesn’t really stand out; the only model with lower output figures is the Toyota Corolla Altis. The Octavia rules this section, possessing the most powerful engines by a significant margin and having the option of two petrol motors. However, the Civic diesel is the most fuel-efficient model, while its petrol counterpart falls just short of the Toyota’s 16.7kpl figure. The Honda and Toyota also miss out on a diesel-automatic option. Like its dimensions, the Hyundai executive sedan's powertrain maintains the middle-ground against its rivals.

2019 Honda Civic vs rivals: Petrol powertrain
	Civic	Elantra	Octavia	Corolla Altis
Type	4-cylinder, naturally aspirated	4-cylinder, naturally aspirated	4-cylinder, turbo-petrol	4-cylinder, naturally aspirated
Displacement	1799cc	1999cc	1395cc/1798cc	1798cc
Valvetrain	4 valves per cylinder, SOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Power	141hp	152hp	150hp/180hp	140hp
Torque	174Nm	192Nm	250Nm/250Nm	173Nm
Transmission	7-step CVT	6-speed MT/AT	6-speed MT/7-speed dual-clutch	6-speed MT/7-step CVT
ARAI fuel effieincy	16.5kpl	14.59kpl/14.62kpl	16.7kpl/15.1kpl	16.7kpl

2019 Civic vs rivals: Diesel powertrain
	Civic	Elantra	Octavia	Corolla Altis
Type	4-cylinder, turbo-diesel	4-cylinder, turbo-diesel	4-cylinder, turbo-diesel	4-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Displacement	1597cc	1582cc	1968cc	1364cc
Valvetrain	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC	2 valves per cylinder, SOHC
Power	120hp	128hp	143hp	88hp
Torque	300Nm	260Nm	320Nm	205Nm
Transmission	6-speed MT	6-speed MT/AT	6-speed MT/dual-clutch AT	6-speed MT
ARAI fuel efficiency	26.8kpl	22.54kpl/18.23kpl	21kpl/19.5kpl	21.3kpl

Features

It seems like the Skoda Octavia is the winner in terms of features and the safety kit on offer. While the Civic does get a segment-first lane-assist camera, the Octavia has more airbags and traction control. The Skoda was also recently upgraded with VW’s Virtual Cockpit – at least in its top-spec L&K trim. The Corolla Altis misses out on kit that is expected to be offered in a car at this price point such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and a sunroof. Keeping with its trend, the Hyundai Elantra's features aren't exactly segment-leading, but it is quite well-kitted, overall.

2019 Civic vs rivals: Features
	Civic	Elantra	Octavia	Corolla Altis
AC	Automatic dual-zone	Automatic dual-zone	Automatic dual-zone	Automatic
Power adjustable driver’s seat	8-way	10-way	12-way	10-way
Reclining rear bench	No	No	No	Yes
Leather upholstery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sunroof	Remote	Electric	Remote	No
Instrument cluster	7.0-inch digital MID	Black and white MID	Digital MID	Colour MID
Infotainment screen	7.0-inch	8.0-inch	8.0-inch	7.0-inch
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	No/No
Airbags	6	6	8	7
Lane-watch camera	Yes	No	No	No
Stability control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hill-start assist	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Traction control	No	No	Yes	No

Price

Considering the Honda will be offered in a single fully-loaded variant, the Civic petrol’s estimated price seems to undercut the Octavia and Corolla by a small margin, while the Civic diesel is expected to be pricier than the Elantra and Corolla.

2019 Civic vs rivals: Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)
	Civic	Elantra	Octavia	Corolla Altis
Petrol	17.70-21 lakh	13.81-18.91 lakh	15.99-23.59 lakh	16.45-20.19 lakh
Diesel	20.50-22.30 lakh	15.12-20.04 lakh	17.99-25.99 lakh	17.71-19.36 lakh

On paper, the Hyundai Elantra seems to offer the most value for money on this list, as it is the lowest-priced model and comes across as decently equipped, overall. Top-spec versions of the Octavia may be pricey but they are also the best-equipped and come with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines. A proper comparison and a full road test will be required before proclaiming a winner in the executive sedan segment, but with regard to specifications and features, the Civic doesn’t really stand out amongst its rivals.