2025 Honda Civic 1.5L RS Review

Malaysia's C-segment sedan market has long been dominated by well-balanced and practical models. Consumers highly value the economy for daily commuting, while also having clear requirements for features and space. The 2025 Honda Civic 1.5L RS, a mid-cycle refresh, is launched against this backdrop. As the sporty version of the Civic lineup, it not only retains the power advantage of the 1.5T turbocharged engine but also upgrades its intelligent safety configurations and optimizes interior details. The main goal of this test drive is to see if it can maintain its sporty DNA while meeting family users' demands for comfort and practicality.

From a distance, the lines of the 2025 Civic 1.5L RS remain sleek, and its fastback design makes it look more dynamic than other sedans in the same class. The honeycomb-patterned front grille, paired with glossy black trim, sets it apart from the standard version. The sporty lower bumper adds a level of layering, while the sharp LED headlights provide high recognizability when lit. On the side, the 18-inch black multi-spoke wheels paired with 235/40 ZR18 wide tires further enhance its sporty vibe. The waistline runs from the front to the rear, and coupled with the slightly sloping roofline, the overall proportions are harmonious. The rear design sees significant changes, with newly designed LED taillights in a horizontally connected layout that form a continuous light bar when illuminated. A small spoiler on the trunk and twin decorative exhaust outlets at the bottom give the rear end a more dynamic appearance.

Opening the door, the interior layout adopts the same simplistic style as the previous generation but with noticeable upgrades in materials. The upper part of the dashboard and the inner sides of the door panels are covered with soft-touch materials, offering a refined feel. The RS-exclusive black interior is accentuated with red stitching, which is present on the steering wheel, seats, and door panels, creating a sporty atmosphere. The 7-inch LCD instrument cluster is clear and provides real-time feedback on fuel consumption, speed, and driver-assist system status. The 9-inch central touch screen, located in the middle of the dashboard, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and its operation is smooth. In terms of features, keyless entry and start are standard, with the front seats offering 8-way electric adjustment. The rear row is equipped with independent air vents and USB charging ports. It's worth noting that the multifunctional steering wheel comes with paddle shifters, and the air conditioning system has been upgraded to single-zone automatic climate control, enhancing daily usability.

Space is a traditional strength of the Civic, and its 2735mm wheelbase is among the top in the C-segment sedan class. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable driving position, a 180cm passenger still has a fist's worth of headroom. In the rear row, legroom exceeds two fists, and headroom offers a four-finger gap, ensuring no cramped feeling even when seating three adults. The trunk boasts a capacity of 497L, with a wide opening and a regular shape that can easily accommodate three 20-inch suitcases. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, providing additional storage space for longer items when needed.

Starting the vehicle, the power output of the 1.5T turbocharged engine feels immediate. With a maximum horsepower of 182PS and a maximum torque of 240N·m, peak torque is available at 1700rpm. There's no noticeable delay when starting off. The CVT transmission performs more smoothly than expected, simulating shift jolts when the accelerator is pressed hard. Combined with the use of paddle shifters, it delivers a driving experience closer to that of an automatic transmission. During daily commutes, the power reserve is sufficient, and overtaking requires only a gentle press on the accelerator to quickly increase speed. At highway speeds, the engine maintains a rotation speed of around 2000rpm at 120km/h, with good noise suppression. There are two driving modes: Normal and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes sharper, and the steering feedback feels heavier.

In terms of handling, the combination of front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned to be sporty while also ensuring comfort. During daily driving on smooth roads, the suspension filters out most of the fine vibrations; when encountering speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension rebounds quickly without excessive shaking. The steering system is precise with minimal play, and body roll is well-controlled when cornering, giving the driver sufficient confidence. The braking system performs consistently, with a combination of front ventilated discs and rear solid discs. The brake pedal travel is moderate, and the braking force output is linear, keeping the vehicle stable during emergency braking.

Fuel consumption testing was one of the focuses of this test drive. We drove 100 km each on city roads (with approximately 30% congested sections) and highways (about 70%), with the air conditioning on the entire time. The final indicated fuel consumption was 6.8L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.3L/100km. However, considering real-world conditions, this result is above average for its class. In terms of noise control, road and wind noise are not noticeable at speeds below 60 km/h; at highway speeds of up to 120 km/h, wind noise slightly increases but does not interfere with normal conversations inside the cabin.

Overall, the 2025 Honda Civic 1.5L RS has distinctive core advantages: sporty exterior design, practical space performance, ample power reserves, and comprehensive safety features. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Altis and Mazda 3, the Civic boasts a longer wheelbase and more spacious interior; it also leads in performance parameters and delivers a more engaging driving experience. Additionally, its intelligent safety features (like lane-keeping assist and active braking) are more complete, offering better value for its price.

The target audience for this car is clear: young families seeking practicality for daily commutes, while also desiring a bit of driving excitement. It meets the needs for daily commuting, weekend family outings, and occasional spirited driving. If your budget is around 150,000 MYR and you're looking for a balanced, well-equipped compact sedan, the Civic 1.5L RS is worth considering.

In summary, the 2025 Honda Civic 1.5L RS is a model "without obvious shortcomings." It retains its sporty essence while enhancing comfort and practicality. Combined with its comprehensive safety configuration, it remains a very competitive choice in the compact sedan market.