VS
At a Glance
Power
235 kW
103 kW
Torque
420 Nm
142+e Nm
Fuel
8.4 l/100km
4.0 l/100km
Towing
—
—
0-100 km/h
5.5 s
—
Engine
1996 cc
1798 cc
Choosing between the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Honda Civic delivers 235 kW while the Toyota Corolla produces 103 kW. On fuel, the Civic returns 8.4 l/100km while the Corolla uses 4.0 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 021 600 for the Civic and R601 100 for the Corolla. 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
103 kW
Torque
420 Nm
142+e Nm
0-100 kph
5.5 s
—
Top Speed
272 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1996 cc
1798 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
4.0 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
47 l
43 l
CO2 Emissions
198 g/km
91 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4594 mm
4375 mm
Width
1890 mm
1790 mm
Height
1407 mm
1480 mm
Wheelbase
2735 mm
2640 mm
Ground Clearance
121 mm
150 mm
Kerb Weight
1432 Kg
1375 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
4
5
Load Volume
410-1212 l
305- l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
8
7
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
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
200000 Km
100000 vehicle / 195000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
6 services
Service Plan Distance
90000
90000
Service Intervals
10000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Toyota Corolla
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Civic
Fuel Economy
Corolla
Value
Corolla
Practicality
Corolla
Pros & Cons
Honda Civic
More powerful engine (235 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (8.4 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Toyota Corolla
Better fuel economy (4.0 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R601 100)
Less power than rival (103 kW vs 235 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Civic or Corolla?
The Civic uses 8.4 l/100km and the Corolla uses 4.0 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Corolla 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 Corolla?
The Civic produces 235 kW and 420 Nm of torque while the Corolla delivers 103 kW and 142+e Nm of torque. The Civic is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Civic and Corolla?
The Civic starts from R1 021 600 and the Corolla from R601 100. The Corolla is cheaper by R420 500 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Civic or Corolla?
The Civic has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the Corolla can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Civic or the Corolla?
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.