Volkswagen Amarok vs Honda Civic RS

In-depth comparison in South Africa covering price, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership costs.

Volkswagen Amarok

Change Car A

ZAR 690,000 – 980,000

⚡ 125 hp

🔧 400 Nm

⛽ 12.8 km/l

Honda Civic RS

Change Car B

ZAR 725,000 – 725,000

⚡ 178 hp

🔧 240 Nm

⛽ 16 km/l

Quick Winners

⚡ Performance Civic RS

⛽ Mileage Civic RS

🔑 Ownership Tie

Overall Comparison Score

🏆 Winner

Civic RS

out of 100

point lead

Moderate difference between the two models.

Amarok

out of 100

Executive Summary

Civic RS has a slight advantage, but Amarok remains highly competitive.

Key Differences At A Glance

Performance Civic RS +1 pts

Efficiency Civic RS +5 pts

Safety Equal

Practicality Civic RS +4 pts

Ownership Equal

Category Score Breakdown

🏆 Overall Winner

Civic RS

Performance 14/20

Efficiency 12/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 11/20

Ownership 12/20

Amarok

Performance 13/20

Efficiency 7/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 7/20

Ownership 12/20

Pros & Cons

Amarok

Pros

No major strengths identified

Cons

Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage

Best For: General Use

🏆 Overall Winner

Civic RS

Pros

More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use

Cons

No major weaknesses identified

Best For: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Who Should Buy Which?

Amarok

Buyers looking for a balanced all-round SUV

Civic RS

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specification Comparison

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Ground Clearance	192	134
Wheelbase	3097	2735
Length	5254	4678
Width	1944	1802
Height	1834	1415
Kerb Weight	2095	1350
Gross Vehicle Weight	3150	1800
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	0	495
Towing Capacity	3500	1200
Turning Radius	-	5.5

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Engine	2.0L TDI Turbo Diesel	1.5L Turbo Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 4 Turbocharged Intercooled	Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged
Displacement	1968	1498
Cylinders	4	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	-
Power	125	178
Torque	400	240
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Twin Turbo	Single Turbo
Top Speed	180	210
0-100 km/h	10.5	8.5
Compression Ratio	-	10.3:1

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	CVT Automatic
Drive Type	4Motion AWD	4x2
Drivetrain Layout	Selectable 4WD	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	Electronic Rear Differential Lock	Not Available
Transfer Case	High and Low Range	-

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Airbags	6	6
ABS	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Standard	-
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	-
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Claimed Mileage	12.8	16
City Mileage	9	12
Highway Mileage	13	16
Fuel Tank Capacity	80	47
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 6

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
CO2 Emissions	225	135
Start Stop System	Yes	Standard
Hybrid System Type	None	Not Applicable

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Cruise Control	Standard	Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Standard
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	-	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Seat Material	Fabric	Leather
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Driver Electric
Heated Seats	Not Available	Front
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Steering Type	Power Assisted	Electric Power Steering
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Multi-color

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Climate Control	Automatic	Dual Zone Climate Control
Power Windows	Front and Rear	All Doors Auto
Keyless Entry	Remote Key	Smart Key
Push Button Start	Not Available	Standard
Wireless Charging	Not Available	Standard
Sunroof	Not Available	Electric Sunroof
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Not Available

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Infotainment Screen	8-inch Touchscreen	10.2-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Wireless
Android Auto	Standard	Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
USB Ports	Front and Rear	-
Number of Speakers	6	12 Bose
Navigation System	Optional	Built-in
Digital Instrument Cluster	Not Available	-

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
LED Headlamps	Halogen Projector	LED Projector
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	Front	LED
Roof Rails	Not Available	-
Alloy Wheel Design	17-inch Alloy	18-inch Alloy

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Approach Angle	29	-
Departure Angle	24	-
Wading Depth	500	-
Terrain Modes	Offroad Mode	-
Locking Differential	Electronic Rear Lock	-

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Tyre Size	255/65 R17	235/40 R18
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Disc

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Leaf Spring	Multi-Link
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Monocoque

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	10000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	Moderate
Battery Warranty	24 Months	24 Months

Specification	Amarok	Civic RS
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	120000	100000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years

Final Verdict

🏆 Honda Civic RS wins this comparison with 67 points vs 57 points for Amarok.

In structured scoring, Civic RS emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Amarok may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

People Also Compare

Popular comparisons among buyers considering similar options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on structured category scoring, Civic RS performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

Amarok scores 7 while Civic RS scores 12 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, Amarok scores 18 and Civic RS scores 18. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

Amarok scores 12 versus Civic RS scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives Amarok 7 and Civic RS 11, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows Amarok scoring 13 compared to Civic RS scoring 14, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Civic RS may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. Civic RS performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives Civic RS the overall advantage.

Detailed Comparison Analysis

The comparison between Amarok and Civic RS in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Amarok scores 13 vs 14.

Efficiency: Amarok scores 7 vs 12.

Safety: Amarok scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: Amarok scores 7 vs 11.

Ownership: Amarok scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Civic RS the advantage in this comparison.

Volkswagen Amarok vs Honda Civic RS

Volkswagen Amarok

Honda Civic RS

Quick Winners

Overall Comparison Score

Civic RS

Amarok

Executive Summary

Key Differences At A Glance

Category Score Breakdown

Civic RS

Amarok

Pros & Cons

Amarok

Civic RS

Who Should Buy Which?

Amarok

Civic RS

Full Specification Comparison

Final Verdict

Related Comparisons

People Also Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed Comparison Analysis