Verdict
At RM278,000, the Honda Prelude is RM1,000 cheaper than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback and reaches 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds against 9.6 seconds. Its 1,469 kg kerb weight, 19-inch tyres and adaptive dampers suit the coupe brief, while the hybrid system brings a 181 hp motor and 315 Nm. But the Outback is the practical Malaysian choice: all-wheel drive, five seats and a 522-litre boot versus four seats and 264 litres. Its 63-litre tank also suits longer inter-state runs, though annual road tax is RM878 rather than RM377.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the quicker 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time, hybrid motor assistance and a lower RM377 annual road-tax bill in a two-door coupe.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, five seats, a 522-litre boot and a 63-litre fuel tank for family and long-distance duties.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Seating: Honda Prelude four seats; Subaru Outback five seats.
- Annual road tax: Honda Prelude RM377; Subaru Outback RM878.
Prelude
- Quicker 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 181 hp, 315 Nm electric motor
- Adaptive dampers and 19-inch wheels
- 264-litre boot is 258 litres smaller
- Four seats and three doors versus five seats and five doors
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- 522-litre boot and five seats
- Powered front seats, sunroof and 360-degree camera
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM878 annual road tax is RM501 higher
- No front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | Coupe | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 245 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 for Two 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 | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | — | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 & Outback for sale
Prelude vs Outback FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Subaru Outback better?
The Prelude is better for a lower road-tax bill, hybrid assistance and faster acceleration. The Outback is better for carrying people and luggage, with all-wheel drive, five seats and 522 litres of boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM1,000 more than the Honda Prelude. The larger gap is running cost: its RM878 annual road tax is RM501 higher than the Prelude's RM377.
Which has the more useful boot?
The Subaru Outback does, with 522 litres against the Honda Prelude's 264 litres. It also has a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, while the Prelude uses a 50:50 split-folding arrangement.
