It’s showdown

“If you can’t even make a car of your own, why keep bashing? You are just using.” (Charles Ding Kuan Jian, 2009)

I start off this post with a simple quote from my friend… And I will begin with simple comparison about the engine used, and power output for all similar equivalent vehicles from all competing manufacturers.

1.5 Litre Class

Competing Cars	Honda City	Toyota Vios
Engine Code	L15A	1NZ-FE
Engine Type	SOHC i-VTEC	DOHC VVT-i
Configuration	Inline-4	Inline-4
Horsepower (PS)	120@6500RPM	109@6000RPM
Torque (Nm)	145@4800RPM	141@4200RPM

This is the long old rivals… Technically wise, the Vios with VVT-i is much more suitable in normal driving, with all nice power distribution over all RPMs. Real power and handling wise, Vios is no where to match the City. Specification wise also tells that 1NZ-FE inferiority being DOHC but such a lower output comparing to L15A. Both are good enough to offer what you need, provided you don’t really compare the built and features.

1.6 Litre Class

Competing Cars	Honda Civic 1.6	Toyota Altis 1.6	Proton Waja 1.6	Proton Waja 1.6 Campro	Proton Waja 1.6 Campro CPS
Engine Code	R16A	3ZZ-FE	4G18	S4PH	S4PH
Engine Type	SOHC i-VTEC	DOHC VVT-i	SOHC	DOHC	DOHC
Configuration	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4
Horsepower (PS)	125@6500RPM	105@6000RPM	102@6000RPM	110@6000RPM	125@6500RPM
Torque (Nm)	151@4200RPM	145@4400RPM	140@2750RPM	148@4000RPM	150@4500RPM

From the specifications, the Altis 1.6 is quite the loser here with the VVT-i. While it still can offer a smooth riding, the power isn’t quite up to level, better opt for the Vios with better weight and power output as a 1.5. Another downpoint is with that already low 105 horsepower, it is only achievable @ 6000RPM which is very difficult 2nd gear onwards without Valve Lift and with only 4 speed Auto.

The next worse case is the Proton Waja Campro, as usual… The ever so and so Campro engine with torque dip around 2000RPM to 3500RPM which is crucial to normal cruising. Expect to either to drive under 2000RPM to stay in 2nd gear all the way from your house to office, or just drive normally and enjoy the “Torque Dip Effect” where you will be watching each and every car cutting off by your side, or else you can take what the Campro most good at, just rev all the way to your highest output, fuel gone, money gone. Wise choice? Proton and Proton lovers say yes.

Now we will be seeing the good old ordinary Proton Waja with the Honda Civic i-VTEC. For such an old engine by Mitsubishi, and only SOHC configuration without and fancy Valve Timing or Valve Lift, the power output is surprising good. Revving to near 2800RPM is all what you need to do normal overtaking and beyond, and watch the Campro still enjoying their “Torque Dip Effect” while you can cruise with maximum torque. The Civic however, comes with same power output and slightly higher torque than the CPS. Due to the R-series engine nature that is aimed for fuel efficiency, I am not comparing it with the CPS. I can only say that, same point with the City vs Vios that is, CPS inferiority with slightly lower torque but with a DOHC configuration.

The Waja CPS no doubt is the “most powerful” of all in this case. Driving the right way, it does give adequate fuel efficiency, or you can pull all the way for Fast And Furios : Malaysia.

1.8 Litre Class

Competing Cars	Honda Civic 1.8	Toyota Altis 1.8	Proton Waja 1.8	Proton Satria GTi 1.8
Engine Code	R18A	1ZZ-FE	F4P	4G93P
Engine Type	SOHC i-VTEC	DOHC VVT-i	DOHC	DOHC
Configuration	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4
Horsepower (PS)	140@6300RPM	132@6000RPM	116@5750RPM	140@6000RPM
Torque (Nm)	174@4300RPM	170@4200RPM	165@3750RPM	181@3500RPM

Well… A straight look… The F4P maybe does something good but then clearly not enough to stay in the class, or even worth comparing to Waja 1.6, just a slight gain in HP and Torque and with heavier DOHC, it won’t get any big differences.

Altis and Civic both are good in power and fuel consumption, the only things that you could really count is, if you are an old man then just get the spongy Toyota that is very comfortable but will crash into sideways when you trying to play cornering games with the Civic, think of Torsion Beam vs Independent Double Wishbone. And don’t expect can outrun the Civic with the proud DOHC VVT-i, the power output still losing, inferior once again.

Satria GTi is not supposed to be in here… Just sharing information.

2.0 Litre Class

Competing Cars	Honda Civic 2.0	Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT	Toyota Camry 2.0	Honda Accord 2.0	Proton Perdana 2.0 V6
Engine Code	K20Z2	4B11	1AZ-FE	R20A3	6A12
Engine Type	DOHC i-VTEC	DOHC MIVEC	DOHC VVT-i	SOHC i-VTEC	DOHC
Configuration	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4	Inline-4	V6
Horsepower (PS)	155@6500RPM	155@6000RPM	147@6000RPM	156@6300RPM	148@6750RPM
Torque (Nm)	188@4500RPM	199@4250RPM	190@4000RPM	189@4300RPM	179@4000RPM

The Civic 2.0 and Lancer all are to belong to the same segment. Nothing much can separate the Lancer with the ordinary Civic with almost same level of power output both with decent engine. Handling wise both are of its class as well. The only thing that ruined the Lancer is the not-so-well done CVT with Invecs-III. In normal terms, CVT should prevail over any gearbox in power band, but not in this one, Civic 5AT prevails this time. It is sad to see that with extra 11Nm of Torque, the Lancer can’t really catch up with Civic acceleration yet.

Move on to another segment with Camry, Accord and Perdana. Specification wise, Accord is the winner here. But in real, the Camry can make it on par with the Accord due to DOHC nature along with the already heavy weight chassis, SOHC is not really a good choice here, but it does give the Accord better acceleration over Camry in low end. Camry lose to Accord in handling wise, that Toyota must be kidding by putting Torsion Beam for Camry while Accord using Double Wishbone and Multi Link. Once again, if you are uncle or auntie and you don’t mind “taufu” suspension, go for the “most comfortable Camry”, just pray you don’t cornering with Accord or any Proton out there, bang your car and call Toyota Assist to help you. Perdana V6, using the same engine as Waja 2.0 V6, is the clear loser here on paper, and in real life it is still loser, unless you facing one who have already lighten his car pretty much. If it is Waja V6, then it will certainly smoke Camry and Accord out of the track.

Cross segment comparison, the Civic and Lancer can smoke all others.