Honda Civic RS vs Hyundai Elantra

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

Honda Civic RS

1.5T RS CVT Petrol Automatic

Change Car A

ZAR 725,000 ex-showroom

⚡ 178 kW (239 hp)

🔧 240 Nm

⛽ 16 km/l

Hyundai Elantra

1.5 IVT Fluid Petrol automatic

Change Car B

492,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 85 kW (114 hp)

🔧 143 Nm

⛽ 17.5 km/l

＋

Add a 3rd car to compare

Choose a car

Quick Winners

⚡ Performance Civic RS

⛽ Mileage Civic RS

🔑 Ownership Elantra

Overall Comparison Score

🏆 Winner

Civic RS

/ 100

+11

pts

Elantra

/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

Executive Summary

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

Key Differences At A Glance

Performance Civic RS +7 pts

Efficiency Civic RS +12 pts

Safety Equal

Practicality Equal

Ownership Elantra +8 pts

Category Score Breakdown

🏆 Overall Winner

Civic RS

Performance 14/20

Efficiency 12/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 11/20

Ownership 12/20

Elantra

Performance 7/20

Efficiency 0/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 11/20

Ownership 20/20

Pros & Cons

🏆 Overall Winner

Civic RS

Pros

More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency

Cons

Shorter warranty coverage

Best For: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Elantra

Pros

Better long-term ownership value

Cons

Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency

Best For: General Use

Who Should Buy Which?

Civic RS

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Elantra

Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specification Comparison

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Ground Clearance	134	130
Wheelbase	2735	2720
Length	4678	4680
Width	1802	1825
Height	1415	1415
Kerb Weight	1350	1355
Gross Vehicle Weight	1800	-
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	495	473
Towing Capacity	1200	-
Turning Radius	5.5	-

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Engine	1.5L Turbo Petrol	1.5 MPI CVVD
Engine Type	Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged	Petrol
Displacement	1498	1497
Cylinders	4	4
Compression Ratio	10.3:1	-
Power	178	85
Torque	240	143
Fuel System	Direct Injection	Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Turbocharger	Single Turbo	No
Top Speed	210	180
0-100 km/h	8.5	11.2
Power @ RPM	-	@ 6300 rpm
Torque @ RPM	-	@ 4500 rpm

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Transmission	CVT Automatic	IVT Intelligent Variable Transmission
Drive Type	4x2	Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain Layout	Front Wheel Drive	FWD
LSD Available	Not Available	-
Paddle Shifters	-	No

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Claimed Mileage	16	17.5
City Mileage	12	14.0
Highway Mileage	16	21.0
Fuel Tank Capacity	47	47
Emission Standard	Euro 6	Euro 6

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
CO2 Emissions	135	126
Start Stop System	Standard	-
Hybrid System Type	Not Applicable	-

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Airbags	6	6 (Front, Side, Curtain)
ABS	Standard	Yes
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Yes
Traction Control	Standard	Yes
Child Safety Lock	Standard	-
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Yes
Brake Assist	Standard	-
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Yes
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Yes
Hill Start Assist	-	Yes
Central Locking	-	Yes

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

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Seat Material	Leather	Leather-Look
Seat Adjustment	Driver Electric	Power Driver
Heated Seats	Front	Front
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	-
Steering Type	Electric Power Steering	MDPS Electric
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt & Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Multi-color	Yes
Folding Rear Seats	-	60/40 Split

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Climate Control	Dual Zone Climate Control	Dual Zone Auto Climate
Power Windows	All Doors Auto	All
Keyless Entry	Smart Key	Yes
Push Button Start	Standard	Yes
Wireless Charging	Standard	Yes
Sunroof	Electric Sunroof	Electric Sunroof
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	-

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Infotainment Screen	10.2-inch Touchscreen	10.25-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Wireless	Yes
Android Auto	Wireless	Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Yes
Number of Speakers	12 Bose	8 Bose Premium
Navigation System	Built-in	Yes
Digital Instrument Cluster	-	10.25-inch Digital Cluster
USB Ports	-	2 USB-A + 1 USB-C

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
LED Headlamps	LED Projector	Full LED
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	LED	LED
Alloy Wheel Design	18-inch Alloy	17-inch Alloy

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Tyre Size	235/40 R18	225/45 R17
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Disc
Rear Brake Type	Disc	Disc
Spare Wheel Type	-	Full Size

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Multi-Link	Multi-Link
Chassis Type	Monocoque	Monocoque
Power Steering	-	Electric

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Service Interval	10000 km / 12 months	15000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	-
Battery Warranty	24 Months	-
Maintenance Plan	-	3 Years / 45000 km

Specification	Civic RS	Elantra
Warranty Years	3	5
Warranty Kilometers	100000	150000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	5 Years

Final Verdict

🏆 Honda Civic RS wins with 67 pts vs 56 pts for Elantra

In structured scoring, Civic RS emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Elantra 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.

Civic RS scores 12 while Elantra scores 0 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

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

Civic RS scores 12 versus Elantra scoring 20. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

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

Performance category shows Civic RS scoring 14 compared to Elantra scoring 7, 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 Civic RS and Elantra in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Civic RS scores 14 vs 7.

Efficiency: Civic RS scores 12 vs 0.

Safety: Civic RS scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: Civic RS scores 11 vs 11.

Ownership: Civic RS scores 12 vs 20.

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

Honda Civic RS vs Hyundai Elantra

Honda Civic RS

Hyundai Elantra

Quick Winners

Overall Comparison Score

Civic RS

Elantra

Executive Summary

Key Differences At A Glance

Category Score Breakdown

Civic RS

Elantra

Pros & Cons

Civic RS

Elantra

Who Should Buy Which?

Civic RS

Elantra

Full Specification Comparison

Final Verdict

Related Comparisons

People Also Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed Comparison Analysis