VS
At a Glance
Power
235 kW
202 kW
Torque
420 Nm
350 Nm
Fuel
8.4 l/100km
9.9 l/100km
Towing
—
—
0-100 km/h
5.5 s
—
Engine
1996 cc
2387 cc
Choosing between the Honda Civic and the Subaru WRX is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Honda Civic delivers 235 kW while the Subaru WRX produces 202 kW. On fuel, the Civic returns 8.4 l/100km while the WRX uses 9.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 021 600 for the Civic and R899 000 for the WRX. 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
202 kW
Torque
420 Nm
350 Nm
0-100 kph
5.5 s
—
Top Speed
272 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1996 cc
2387 cc
Engine Layout
inline
boxer
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
manual
manual
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.4 l/100km
9.9 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
13.8 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
7.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
47 l
63 l
CO2 Emissions
198 g/km
225 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4594 mm
4670 mm
Width
1890 mm
1825 mm
Height
1407 mm
1465 mm
Wheelbase
2735 mm
2675 mm
Ground Clearance
121 mm
135 mm
Kerb Weight
1432 Kg
—
Doors
5
4
Seats
4
5
Load Volume
410-1212 l
423 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
8
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
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
200000 Km
150000 Km
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
Civic
Value
WRX
Practicality
WRX
Pros & Cons
Honda Civic
More powerful engine (235 kW)
Better fuel economy (8.4 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Subaru WRX
Lower starting price (R899 000)
Higher fuel consumption (9.9 l/100km)
Less power than rival (202 kW vs 235 kW)
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Civic or WRX?
The Civic uses 8.4 l/100km and the WRX uses 9.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Civic 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 WRX?
The Civic produces 235 kW and 420 Nm of torque while the WRX delivers 202 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The Civic is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Civic and WRX?
The Civic starts from R1 021 600 and the WRX from R899 000. The WRX is cheaper by R122 600 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Civic or WRX?
The Civic has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the WRX can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Civic or the WRX?
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.