Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, undercutting the Renault Megane RS by RM90,888, and brings Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance plus a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. It is the more safety-led coupe, but its 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time cannot match the Megane RS’s 5.8 seconds. The Renault’s 296 hp, 420 Nm, Torsen limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering make it the clear performance choice, while its five doors and 384-litre boot are more useful. But it costs more and has less active safety kit.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the RM90,888 saving, Honda Sensing and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty in a two-door hybrid coupe.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if 296 hp, 420 Nm, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and five-door practicality matter more than the higher price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Renault Megane RS RM368,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds; Renault Megane RS 5.8 seconds.
- Torque: Honda Prelude petrol engine 189 Nm plus motor 315 Nm; Renault Megane RS 420 Nm.
- Doors and seats: Honda Prelude 3 doors and 4 seats; Renault Megane RS 5 doors and 5 seats.
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Renault Megane RS 384 litres.
- Warranty: Honda Prelude 5 years/unlimited mileage; Renault Megane RS 3 years/100,000 km.
Prelude
- RM90,888 less expensive.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, plus 10-year hybrid-battery cover.
- 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Megane RS’s 5.8 seconds.
- Three doors, four seats and a 264-litre boot are less practical.
Megane RS
- 296 hp and 420 Nm with a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Torsen limited-slip differential, rear-wheel steering and launch control.
- Five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot.
- Costs RM90,888 more.
- Has six airbags versus the Prelude’s eight, and lacks autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance.
- Three-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter than the Prelude’s five-year unlimited-mileage cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM368,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377 | RM279✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm | 296 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 420 Nm at 2,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | 79.7 mm × 90.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.2 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 260 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 181 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 384 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 3 Rear |
| Audio | — | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 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 & Megane RS for sale
Prelude vs Megane RS FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Renault Megane RS better?
The Megane RS is better for outright pace and practicality: it reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and has five doors. The Prelude is better for safety assistance, warranty cover and price, costing RM90,888 less.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM368,888 and the Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, so the Renault is RM90,888 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the Honda Prelude or Renault Megane RS?
The Renault Megane RS is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds against the Honda Prelude’s 9.0 seconds. Its 296 hp and 420 Nm also exceed the Prelude petrol engine’s 143 hp and 189 Nm.
