VS
At a Glance
Power
233 kW
235 kW
Torque
400 Nm
420 Nm
Fuel
7.8 l/100km
8.4 l/100km
Towing
750 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
4.9 s
5.5 s
Engine
1998 cc
1996 cc
Choosing between the BMW 1 Series and the Honda Civic is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW 1 Series delivers 233 kW while the Honda Civic produces 235 kW. On fuel, the 1 Series returns 7.8 l/100km while the Civic uses 8.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R988 768 for the 1 Series and R1 021 600 for the Civic. 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
233 kW
235 kW
Torque
400 Nm
420 Nm
0-100 kph
4.9 s
5.5 s
Top Speed
250 Km/h
272 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1998 cc
1996 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
manual
Number of Gears
7
6
Drive Wheels
all
front
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.8 l/100km
8.4 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
47 l
CO2 Emissions
177 g/km
198 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4361 mm
4594 mm
Width
1800-2072 mm
1890 mm
Height
1459 mm
1407 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance
156 mm
121 mm
Kerb Weight
1550 DIN / 1625 EU Kg
1432 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
4
Load Volume
380-1200 l
410-1212 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
750 Kg
—
Load Capacity
550 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
8
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
Optional
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Optional
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
Optional
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
Optional
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
Optional
—
Heated Seats
Optional
—
Keyless Entry
Optional
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
200000 Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
5
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
service interval indicator / 20000 km
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW 1 Series
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Civic
Fuel Economy
1 Series
Value
1 Series
Practicality
1 Series
Pros & Cons
BMW 1 Series
Better fuel economy (7.8 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R988 768)
Higher towing capacity (750 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (4.9 ss)
Less power than rival (233 kW vs 235 kW)
No factory service plan
Honda Civic
More powerful engine (235 kW)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (8.4 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the 1 Series or Civic?
The 1 Series uses 7.8 l/100km and the Civic uses 8.4 l/100km on the combined cycle. The 1 Series 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 1 Series or Civic?
The 1 Series produces 233 kW and 400 Nm of torque while the Civic delivers 235 kW and 420 Nm of torque. The Civic is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the 1 Series and Civic?
The 1 Series starts from R988 768 and the Civic from R1 021 600. The 1 Series is cheaper by R32 832 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the 1 Series or Civic?
The 1 Series has a braked towing capacity of 750 Kg and the Civic can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the 1 Series or the Civic?
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.