Hyundai Sonata 2.0 vs. Honda Civic RS Turbo | Two Most Expensive PKDM Sedans
So you’ve got about 9.8 – 9.9 crore PKR. If you are not in the mood to buy the German brands that will give you pain in the neck during repairs and are planning to buy a PKDM sedan, you’ve got two good choices from two good brands: the Honda Civic RS Turbo and the Hyundai Sonata 2.0. We’re going to compare both vehicles and POV to determine which car is best for whom.
Hyundai Sonata 2.0 and Honda Civic RS Turbo
Sonata and Civic RS are both cars of different classes and made for people with different mindsets. One is for luxury and elite Generation x people, while the Civic RS is for those who love the performance, a sense of driving, and red accent sporty-looking interiors.
The Civic RS is the Civic’s top-of-the-line variant, while the Sonata 2.0 is the Sonata’s base variant. But there’s a catch: The Sonata’s base variant still outperforms many German C-segment cars in the same 9.9 million budget.
Sense of Driving
Winner: Tie
The sense of driving is different in both cars. Sonata, as previously mentioned, falls in the executive segment. Whether you drive it at 180 or 220 km/h, it remains smooth. You won’t realize you’re driving at 200+ km/h until you check the speedometer.
Civic RS, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. It’s made to give you a sense of feel. If you’re going above 200+ Km/h, you’ll surely realize it even if you don’t look at the speed-o-meter.
The Civic has a turbo and a V-tec engine, so when it kicks in, you’ll realize that you’re sitting in an R variant car. Moreover, RS has a stiffer sports suspension, while Sonata has a soft and comfortable suspension, so at high speeds, stiffer suspensions will give you a sense of speed.
Another major thing is the Civic’s turbo, which boosts to 1.5 PSI. The turbo’s quick acceleration will push you back, and the Sonata—indeed, it has a 2,000-engine and 152 HP—can’t compete with the turbo’s acceleration.
Overall, if you want an adrenaline rush, Civic RS is the best choice. If you’re an executive gentleman, Sonata is the best choice.
3s Dealership Customer Support
Winner: Hyundai Sonata
Now that’s something you can only rely on 3rd party owner reviews and the experience of people.
Honda has good customer support, but Hyundai’s customer support is on another level. Their waiting areas and customer dealing are better than Honda’s; that’s what we got from user reviews.
Hyundai’s parts sourcing is also quicker than Honda’s, especially for the Civic. Even the most common known issue of the Civic, the steering rack problem, takes 6 months to claim. On the other hand, Sonata’s tire bubble issue, which is the most commonly known issue, only takes 20-40 days to replace.
Individuals’ choices might differ; some might prefer Honda 3s support, or some would adore Hyundai’s 3s support, but the majority’s opinion is written above.
Resale Value
Winner: Hyundai Sonata
Very few consumers opt for a locally assembled sedan in this price range. Most prefer SUVs or pickups like the Revo or Fortuner, or they choose to save money by going for a locally assembled crossover. Those seeking luxury sedans typically gravitate towards German brands like Mercedes and BMW.
However, the Sonata and Civic are still wise choices compared to German cars in the same price range. The Sonata and Civic will be brand-new, come with official 3S support, and offer up to 10 years of warranty. In contrast, German cars within this budget will be at least 6-7 years old, lacking official support in Pakistan, and often come with a high risk of being accident-prone and having diagnosing errors, which can be a pain in the neck.
But still, most people opt for German cars in this budget because they prioritize status symbols over practicality. If practicality were the main concern, the Fortuner or Revo would be the first choice.
However, for those who prefer a local PKDM sedan under a 10 million PKR budget, the Sonata is generally favored over the Civic. The Civic is considered overpriced, and it’s hard to justify spending such a substantial amount on a locally manufactured C-segment car, especially one with the well-known issue of a steering rack.
Therefore, any prudent buyer would prefer the Sonata 2.0 within a 10 million PKR budget.
Built Quality
Winner: Sonata
Sit in both cars, and you’ll immediately notice the difference in build quality. The Sonata is significantly better built than the Civic, both in terms of interior and exterior. The Sonata features all-leather seats and a leather dashboard, whereas the Civic, even with a 10 million PKR budget, still offers an ABS plastic dashboard.
The Civic also suffers from various build-quality issues, such as an armrest that wobbles like a third-party armrest of a Mehran that cost Rs.500. The exterior paint quality of the Civic is also inferior to that of the Sonata. If you compare a white Sonata and a white Civic side by side, the disparity in paint quality between the two cars becomes evident.
Future Perception
Winner: Honda (our prediction)
In the past, many brands introduced cars in Pakistan, only to eventually exit the market. Examples include the first-generation Kia Sportage, Kia Classic, and Chevrolet Optra. Launched in the 2000s, these models offered good features and competitive pricing, but today, they have almost zero resale value. In contrast, cars like the 2000s-era Civic Eagle Eye, Reborn, and Corolla have retained their value, and even in 2024, they enjoy strong resale.
This historical trend highlights that brands like Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki are here to stay in Pakistan. Models such as the Civic, Corolla, and City are known for maintaining their resale value, even after 10-15 years.