VS
At a Glance
Power
235 kW
160 kW
Torque
420 Nm
engine 221 Nm
Fuel
8.4 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Towing
—
—
0-100 km/h
5.5 s
8.9 s
Engine
1996 cc
2494 cc
Choosing between the Honda Civic and the Lexus ES is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Honda Civic delivers 235 kW while the Lexus ES produces 160 kW. On fuel, the Civic returns 8.4 l/100km while the ES uses 4.6 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 021 600 for the Civic and R1 138 800 for the ES. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
235 kW
160 kW
Torque
420 Nm
engine 221 Nm
0-100 kph
5.5 s
8.9 s
Top Speed
272 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1996 cc
2494 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
manual
automatic
Number of Gears
6
—
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.4 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
47 l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
198 g/km
104 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4594 mm
4975 mm
Width
1890 mm
1865 mm
Height
1407 mm
1445 mm
Wheelbase
2735 mm
2870 mm
Ground Clearance
121 mm
158 mm
Kerb Weight
1432 Kg
1740 Kg
Doors
5
4
Seats
4
5
Load Volume
410-1212 l
454 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
8
10
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
7 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
200000 Km
105000 vehicle / 195000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
5
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
10000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Civic
Fuel Economy
ES
Value
Civic
Practicality
ES
Pros & Cons
Honda Civic
More powerful engine (235 kW)
Lower starting price (R1 021 600)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (5.5 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (8.4 l/100km)
Lexus ES
Better fuel economy (4.6 l/100km)
Less power than rival (160 kW vs 235 kW)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Civic or ES?
The Civic uses 8.4 l/100km and the ES uses 4.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. The ES is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Civic or ES?
The Civic produces 235 kW and 420 Nm of torque while the ES delivers 160 kW and engine 221 Nm of torque. The Civic is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Civic and ES?
The Civic starts from R1 021 600 and the ES from R1 138 800. The Civic is cheaper by R117 200 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Civic or ES?
The Civic has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the ES can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Civic or the ES?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.