VS
At a Glance
Power
285 kW
235 kW
Torque
500 Nm
420 Nm
Fuel
7.8 l/100km
8.4 l/100km
Towing
1800 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
4.7 s
5.5 s
Engine
2998 cc
1996 cc
Choosing between the BMW 4 Series and the Honda Civic is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW 4 Series delivers 285 kW while the Honda Civic produces 235 kW. On fuel, the 4 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 R1 511 100 for the 4 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
285 kW
235 kW
Torque
500 Nm
420 Nm
0-100 kph
4.7 s
5.5 s
Top Speed
250 Km/h
272 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2998 cc
1996 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
6
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
manual
Number of Gears
8
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
59 l
47 l
CO2 Emissions
176 g/km
198 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4783 mm
4594 mm
Width
1852-2081 mm
1890 mm
Height
1442 mm
1407 mm
Wheelbase
2856 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance
129 mm
121 mm
Kerb Weight
1825 DIN / 1900 EU Kg
1432 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
4
Load Volume
470-1290 l
410-1212 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1800 Kg
—
Load Capacity
555 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
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
Optional
—
Heated Seats
Optional
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
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
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW 4 Series
3 / 4 categories
Performance
4 Series
Fuel Economy
4 Series
Value
Civic
Practicality
4 Series
Pros & Cons
BMW 4 Series
More powerful engine (285 kW)
Better fuel economy (7.8 l/100km)
Higher towing capacity (1800 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (4.7 ss)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Honda Civic
Lower starting price (R1 021 600)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (8.4 l/100km)
Less power than rival (235 kW vs 285 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the 4 Series or Civic?
The 4 Series uses 7.8 l/100km and the Civic uses 8.4 l/100km on the combined cycle. The 4 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 4 Series or Civic?
The 4 Series produces 285 kW and 500 Nm of torque while the Civic delivers 235 kW and 420 Nm of torque. The 4 Series is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the 4 Series and Civic?
The 4 Series starts from R1 511 100 and the Civic from R1 021 600. The Civic is cheaper by R489 500 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the 4 Series or Civic?
The 4 Series has a braked towing capacity of 1800 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 4 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.