Proton S70 vs Honda Civic: The RM44,100 price gap – what makes the Civic so expensive?

In the Proton showroom, there is a car wearing an RM89,800 price tag with a spec sheet that reads like a luxury car's checklist: a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, six airbags, Level 2 ADAS, plus 181 PS and 290 Nm.

Over at the Honda showroom, the entry-level Civic 1.5 E commands RM133,900, offering lower output figures and a noticeably shorter equipment list.

That is a price disparity of RM44,100—enough to buy a brand-new Perodua Bezza with cash to spare. So, what does this RM44,100 premium get you?

Specification Comparison

Note: Proton S70 MC1 pricing includes an RM5,000 early bird rebate applicable to the first 2,000 registrations before 31 March 2026.

Performance

The S70 features a 1.5-litre i-GT four-cylinder turbocharged engine pushing 181 PS and 290 Nm through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT), completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.

In comparison, the Civic’s 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine puts out 180 hp and 240 Nm via a CVT, doing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds. That is a 50 Nm torque surplus and an acceleration advantage of 0.8 seconds in favour of the Proton.

Off the line in town or when overtaking on the highway, the S70's torque superiority is instantly noticeable. The seven-speed wet DCT shifts far more decisively than a CVT, delivering punchier power delivery the moment you bury your right foot.

If you appreciate an immediate surge of thrust, the S70 clearly delivers more punch than the Civic.

However, real-world driveability is more than just peak outputs.

The Civic's 240 Nm is on tap from as low as 1,700 rpm, delivering sharper low-end response than the S70. The CVT also holds a distinct edge in urban refinement, eliminating the slight low-speed hesitation typical of DCT setups in stop-and-go traffic.

Behind the wheel of the Civic, the powertrain never feels strained; power build-up is linear and progressive, making progress effortless.

The S70 wins on headline numbers, but the Civic takes the crown for powertrain refinement. They reflect two different powertrain philosophies.

Ride and Handling

Underneath, the S70 utilises a rear torsion beam, whereas the Civic rides on a multi-link rear setup. On paper, this is just a single line in a brochure, but over Malaysian road conditions, the dynamic difference is far more pronounced than any power disparity.

The multi-link setup allows each rear wheel to react to road undulations independently. Over speed bumps and broken tarmac, secondary body movements are better controlled, resulting in superior ride comfort for rear occupants.

The Civic features a 2,735 mm wheelbase against the S70’s 2,627 mm—a 108 mm difference. This longer wheelbase, paired with independent rear suspension, elevates the Civic’s high-speed cruising stability to a class above.

The S70's torsion beam is more than capable for the daily urban commute, with Proton tuning the chassis to prioritise everyday comfort.

However, if you are a frequent long-distance cruiser or appreciate sophisticated chassis dynamics, the Civic's structural advantages cannot simply be replicated through suspension tuning alone.

Features

The equipment list on the S70 Flagship X is impressive for its price bracket.

You get a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster, six airbags, and a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite with 13 functions including Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist.

While the Civic 1.5 E serves as the entry variant, the full Honda Sensing active safety suite is fitted as standard, complete with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist.

In-cabin equipment includes a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, fabric upholstery, 16-inch alloy wheels, and an eight-speaker audio system. While far from bare-bones, it feels distinctly modest compared to the heavily equipped S70 Flagship X.

One subtle detail often goes unnoticed: while the S70 checks all the ADAS boxes, Honda Sensing’s adaptive cruise control remains the segment benchmark for seamless stop-and-go tracking. During daily bumper-to-bumper crawls along the Federal Highway, that calibration finesse makes a world of difference.

Ownership

According to used car market trends, the S70 retains approximately 71% of its value after three years, compared to around 72.4% for the Civic. With a marginal difference of just 1.4%, the S70 holds its own remarkably well.

However, because the Civic’s initial purchase price is RM44,100 higher, an identical percentage of depreciation translates to a larger absolute cash loss each year for the Civic owner. From a total cost of ownership standpoint, the S70 presents a distinct financial edge.

When it comes to routine servicing, the S70's five-year scheduled maintenance total stands at roughly RM4,525.92, whereas the Civic’s official five-year total is approximately RM3,713.78.The Civic is roughly RM812 cheaper to maintain over five years.

Warranty-wise, the S70 comes with a five-year unlimited mileage package alongside six free labour service sessions.

The Civic previously matched this five-year coverage, but Honda Malaysia has since upgraded the warranty on all newly registered petrol and hybrid variants to eight years with unlimited mileage, effective 1 September 2026.

For buyers walking into showrooms now, that eight-year manufacturer-backed peace of mind is an advantage Proton cannot currently match.

Which One Should You Buy?

If your budget is strictly capped below RM90,000, and your priorities are headline performance figures and maximum equipment for daily city commutes with occasional interstate road trips:

At RM89,800, the S70 Flagship X offers 181 PS, 290 Nm, a 7.5-second century sprint, a 12.3-inch screen with wireless smartphone connectivity, a 360-degree camera, and a panoramic sunroof.

Finding this level of kit under RM90,000 is practically impossible elsewhere. Provided you can live with the ride compromises of a rear torsion beam over rough patches, the S70 offers unbeatable value per ringgit.

If you demand chassis sophistication, spend substantial time on the highway, and prioritise long-term ownership peace of mind backed by an established after-sales network:

The Civic 1.5 E at RM133,900 delivers a superior multi-link rear suspension, high-speed stability courtesy of its 2,735 mm wheelbase, benchmark calibration from Honda Sensing, and decades of brand equity in Malaysia.

Part of the RM44,100 gap is down to brand premium, but a significant portion is invested in platform architecture and ride refinement. These are qualities felt through the steering wheel every day, even if they cannot be easily quantified on a spec sheet.