2022 Honda Civic RS e:HEV hybrid launched in Malaysia; priced from RM 167k, 315 Nm, Key Card

• 2.0L hybrid, 184 PS/315 Nm, most powerful Civic variant
• Key Card, full-digital instrument cluster, dual zone auto A/C, wireless charger
• Civic range now priced from RM 131k to RM 166k

Evolution improves the breed, and that's exactly what Honda's doing with this 2022 Honda Civic RS e:HEV hybrid that's just launched in Malaysia today, treating the car to a powerful powertrain, technology updates, and subtle styling changes.

Priced from RM 166,500, the RS e:HEV heads the Civic totem pole in Malaysia now, but note that the pure-ICE RS turbo will remain on sale. Honda Malaysia expects this to make up 10 percent of all Civic sales, and if you order one now, the waiting period is around two to three months.

Powertrain: More powerful than VTEC Turbo

Under the long hood of the Civic RS e:HEV you'll Honda Malaysia's most powerful car yet (currently on sale, don't be cheeky to drag the Type Rs into this), with a peak power output of 184 PS and 315 Nm. The 2 PS up from the turbo is negligible; but there's a sizeable push from the extra 75 Nm (+31%) it affords over the 'regular' RS.

Also read: ASEAN's most powerful, 2022 Honda Civic (FE) launched in Malaysia: priced from RM 126k

All this power comes from a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder paired to two electric motors. This direct fuel injection DOHC engine is newly developed, and not a port over from the currently-sold Honda CR-V.

It's also the third model to use Honda's e:HEV tech in Malaysia, after 2020's Honda City RS, 2021's Honda City Hatchback RS, and the all-new 2022 Honda HR-V RS.

Being new, this 'clean engine' also bears improvements in the noise and harshness aspects, as it comes with a high rigidity crankshaft, secondary balancer, and an insulated intake manifold to complement the urethane-padded engine cover.

Most importantly, claimed fuel consumption is a fantastic 4.0-litres/100 km, bettering the 6.3-litres/100 km of the turbo'd RS, and 6-litres/100 km of the E and V variants.

Like every other electrified car in Honda Malaysia's offering, the Civic e:HEV's hybrid powertrain also utilises a 72-cell, 1.05 kWh lithium-ion battery slot at the back. Weight's increased by another 36.4 kg (hardly lardy...if anything it's tamed the rather playful rear end a bit) and hey, boot space is unaffected, reading a heady 497 litres per VDA standards.

Enhancing dynamics is a 10 mm lower ride height, and 3% stiffer torsional rigidity 'round the rear over the petrol variant.

Also read: Filling the gap left by the Camry, this is the all-new 2023 Honda Accord; most powerful, techiest ever

We've driven this RS e:HEV hybrid on track in Sepang recently and were pretty impressed at how much sharper it is over the turbocharged model. Our review's in the video at the end of this article.

Exterior: Single tailpipe, blue emblems, chrome trims, and new wheels set it apart

Chrome. Lots of chrome. Every piece of trim that's gloss black in the RS turbo is treated to a shiny finish on the RS hybrid. Up front there's a thin chrome line just below the blue-tinged Honda badge; this bit is new.

Also read: Here’s why the all-new 2020 Honda City RS with i-MMD doesn’t need a gearbox

Round the back it's majorly the same, save for the blue H motif, 'e:HEV' badging, and a single tailpipe instead of twins. Wheels are new too; dual-tone 18-inch rollers instead of flat-black ones. Four colours are available, and so are Modulo optional accessories.

Also read: Modulo kit for 2022 Honda Civic in Malaysia: Too much, or just right?

Interior: Fully-digital meter cluster, key card, wireless charging

Bust out the rulers and everything that makes the Civic's cabin class leading remains; the superior head- and legroom, SUV-shaming bootspace, and a design that'll make Marie Kondo blush.

What we like is that this variant injects a little more class to it all, courtesy of the the new full-digital instrument cluster. At 10.2-inches its one of the largest you can get of any new car –   period – and I personally feel it's what the Civic needed all along, way better than the semi-digital meter that's in every other variant.

Also read: Hybrid 101: Demystifying MHEV, HEV, PHEV, and understanding whether Toyota, Honda, or Perodua hybrids are best for you

Dual-zone auto air-conditioning, as well as a Qi wireless phone charger, are two more additions to the cabin.

If you've bought one of these then you have one more little thing to flex –   the Key Card. Only about two credit cards thick, it's a more fashionable take to whole keyless entry thing. To use remote start you'll still need to use the regular fob (which will be bundled together with the car anyway), but for a klutz like me who's constantly missing keys...this Key Card is an ideal solution.

Literally just leave it in your wallet, and as long as you've got your wallet you can access the car. Brilliant.

Also read: The all-new 2022 Honda Civic FE has a clever weight reduction method

A 9-inch touchscreen handles infotainment, with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay per the rest of the range. An addition function is in this however; exclusive to the RS e:HEV is a Power Flow Display. Everything else – leather seats, rear air-cond vents, four USB ports – all remain status quo. 

Honda Connect vehicle telematics is kept too.

Safety: Full complement of Honda Sensing

Standard safety complements are 6 airbags, as well as a total of 8 front and rear parking sensors. Honda LaneWatch is available, together with the full suite of Honda Sensing.

Features in the Civic FE’s Sensing arsenal are as follows:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Low-Speed Follow (LSF)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Auto High Beam (AHB)
• Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN, only on RS)

As before, it maintaints its 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash rating.

Aftersales, warranty

Like every other Honda model, the Civic e:HEV RS is backed by a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty. The hybrid battery though has its own 8-year/unlimited mileage warranty. All other hybrid-related parts are parked under the car’s aforementioned 5-year warranty.

What do we think? The 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV RS we reckon makes for the better option, especially if you're shooting straight for the top. Snazzy features and all make a proper flagship; plus with Malaysians' never-content desire for more power, the hybrid's extra shove is tantalising.

Also read: New targeted fuel subsidy mechanism in testing, MoF to present platform to cabinet once ready

That's two things. It's perhaps a smarter purchase to hedge your bets against further rising fuel prices, as measures to remove/cut petrol subsidies are likely to come into effect post this week's General Election. Hardly a bad deal then...

2022 Honda Civic FE range in Malaysia

The introduction of this Civic RS e:HEV bumps the model's variant count to four. They are now as below:

• Civic 1.5 E - RM 130,700
• Civic 1.5 V - RM 143,700
• Civic 1.5 RS Turbo - RM 150,700
• Civic 2.0 RS e:HEV - RM 166,500