Verdict
At RM278,000, the Honda Prelude costs RM444,888 less than the RM722,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE, and its RM377 annual road tax is far easier to absorb than RM2,128. The Honda’s hybrid system is the sensible coupe route, with a 1,469-kg kerb weight, 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and 10-year hybrid-battery cover. But the AMG CLE is in another performance league: 443 hp, 560 Nm, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds versus 9.0 seconds. It also brings a 420-litre boot and far richer cabin kit, though it is a much larger financial commitment.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want a RM278,000 hybrid coupe with lower running taxes, four seats and long hybrid-battery coverage.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want 443 hp, 4.2-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and a properly lavish equipment list.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888.
- Power and torque: Honda Prelude 143 hp and 189 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp and 560 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds and 188 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Driveline and gearbox: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive with eCVT; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE all-wheel drive with nine-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- Boot space and weight: Honda Prelude 264 litres and 1,469 kg; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 420 litres and 2,000 kg.
- Annual road tax: Honda Prelude RM377; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM2,128.
Prelude
- RM444,888 cheaper to buy.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus 10-year unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery cover.
- Lighter by 531 kg and costs RM1,751 less annually in road tax.
- Nine-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.8 seconds behind the AMG CLE.
- 264-litre boot trails the AMG CLE’s 420 litres.
- Manual front seats, no head-up display or rear air-con vents.
AMG CLE
- 443 hp, 560 Nm and 4.2-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- 420-litre boot, 156 litres larger than the Prelude’s.
- Digital Light headlamps, 360-degree camera, head-up display and 15-speaker Burmester audio.
- Costs RM444,888 more and road tax is RM1,751 higher per year.
- 2,000-kg kerb weight is 531 kg heavier.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty is shorter than the Prelude’s five years, with no stated hybrid-battery warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM722,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM2,128 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm | 443 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 560 Nm at 560 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp✓ | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| 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✓ | 2 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 Prelude & AMG CLE for sale
Prelude vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is better for outright pace, equipment and luggage room, with 443 hp and a 4.2-second sprint. The Honda Prelude is the more rational Malaysian buy at RM278,000, with far lower road tax and longer warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888, which is RM444,888 more than the Honda Prelude at RM278,000.
Which coupe is cheaper to run on annual road tax?
The Honda Prelude is substantially cheaper: RM377 per year versus RM2,128 for the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE, a yearly difference of RM1,751.
