Verdict
The Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, RM28,755 above the Subaru BRZ, but brings a 203 PS hybrid system, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking for the daily Malaysian drive. Its 264-litre boot also beats the BRZ’s 226 litres. The BRZ is the driver’s choice: its 234 hp, 250 Nm boxer engine, six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive deliver 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, against 9.0 seconds for the front-driven Prelude. Factor in road tax: RM767 annually for the BRZ versus RM377 for the Prelude.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want hybrid power, a larger 264-litre boot and Honda Sensing assistance systems in a four-seat coupe.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time, six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive matter more than driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Performance: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds; Subaru BRZ in 6.3 seconds.
- Powertrain: Honda Prelude 203 PS hybrid system with eCVT and front-wheel drive; Subaru BRZ 234 hp 2.4-litre with six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
- Road tax: Honda Prelude RM377 per year; Subaru BRZ RM767 per year.
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Subaru BRZ 226 litres.
- Kerb weight: Honda Prelude 1,469 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg.
Prelude
- 203 PS hybrid system with eCVT automatic
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control
- 264-litre boot and 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- RM28,755 more expensive
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.3 seconds
- Front-wheel drive and no manual gearbox
BRZ
- 234 hp, 250 Nm boxer engine
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- RM28,755 lower purchase price
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- No adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors or auto wipers
- 226-litre boot is 38 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | — |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front 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 for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 Prelude & BRZ for sale
Prelude vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Subaru BRZ better?
The BRZ is better for outright performance and manual, rear-wheel-drive involvement, reaching 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. The Prelude is better for assisted driving, hybrid operation and luggage space, with autonomous braking and a 264-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM28,755 more than the Subaru BRZ: RM278,000 against RM249,245. The Prelude also has lower annual road tax, at RM377 versus RM767 for the BRZ.
Which has more safety assistance, the Honda Prelude or Subaru BRZ?
The Honda Prelude has more active assistance. It gets Honda Sensing autonomous braking, collision warning, steering lane-keeping correction and adaptive cruise control. The BRZ has blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
