Verdict
The RM121,900 gap buys the Civic Type R’s 315 hp, 420 Nm turbo engine, six-speed manual and a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Prelude’s 143 hp petrol engine, 181 hp motor, eCVT and 9.0 seconds. It is also the more useful shape: five doors and a 410-litre boot versus three doors and 264 litres. But the Prelude is far cheaper, carries eight airbags to the Type R’s six, and adds navigation plus paddle shifts. For a Malaysian buyer chasing pace and load space, take the Type R; for lower entry cost and automatic hybrid driving, the Prelude makes more sense.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want 315 hp, 420 Nm, a six-speed manual and a 410-litre boot.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the lower RM278,000 entry price, eCVT automatic hybrid system and eight airbags.
Key differences
- Price: Civic Type R RM399,900; Prelude RM278,000.
- Performance: Civic Type R 315 hp, 420 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds; Prelude 143 hp petrol engine, 181 hp motor, 315 Nm motor torque and 9.0 seconds.
- Body practicality: Civic Type R has five doors and a 410-litre boot; Prelude has three doors and a 264-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Civic Type R is 4,593 mm long with a 2,734 mm wheelbase; Prelude is 4,522 mm long with a 2,605 mm wheelbase.
- Safety count: Civic Type R has six airbags; Prelude has eight airbags.
- Weight and fuel tank: Civic Type R is 1,423 kg with a 47-litre tank; Prelude is 1,469 kg with a 40-litre tank.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp and 420 Nm turbo engine
- 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time and six-speed manual
- Five doors and 410-litre boot
- Costs RM121,900 more
- Six airbags versus the Prelude’s eight
- No navigation or paddle shifts
Prelude
- RM278,000 entry price
- eCVT automatic with paddle shifts
- Eight airbags and built-in navigation
- 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.5 seconds
- Three doors and a 264-litre boot
- Smaller 40-litre fuel tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM278,000✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM377✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 420 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 85.9 mm | 81 mm × 96.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | e-CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds✓ | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 188 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,522 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,355 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,605 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,469 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19 |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19 |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 1 Front, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Civic Type R & Prelude for sale
Civic Type R vs Prelude FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Honda Prelude better?
The Civic Type R is better for outright performance and practicality, with 315 hp, 5.5-second acceleration, five doors and a 410-litre boot. The Prelude is the better lower-cost automatic hybrid choice, with eight airbags and navigation.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM121,900 more than the Honda Prelude.
Which has more boot space, the Honda Civic Type R or Honda Prelude?
The Civic Type R has the larger boot at 410 litres, a 146-litre advantage over the Prelude’s 264 litres. It also has five doors rather than three.
