Verdict
At RM278,000, the Honda Prelude costs RM90,950 less than the Toyota GR Corolla and brings a 264-litre boot, adaptive dampers and eight airbags. Its hybrid set-up uses a 143 hp 2.0-litre petrol engine and 181 hp motor, but 0-100 km/h takes 9.0 seconds. The RM368,950 GR Corolla is the much harder-edged choice: 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual cut that sprint to 5.3 seconds. Malaysian buyers wanting two extra seats and doors should favour the Toyota; those wanting the lower road tax and a coupe body get more practical boot space from the Honda.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the RM90,950 saving, a 264-litre boot and hybrid running with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and five-seat practicality matter more than the extra outlay.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950.
- Performance: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds; Toyota GR Corolla in 5.3 seconds.
- Output: Honda Prelude 143 hp petrol engine plus 181 hp motor; Toyota GR Corolla 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline/transmission: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive eCVT; Toyota GR Corolla all-wheel drive six-speed manual.
- Practicality: Honda Prelude has 3 doors, 4 seats and a 264-litre boot; Toyota GR Corolla has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 213-litre boot.
- Road tax: Honda Prelude RM377 a year; Toyota GR Corolla RM207 a year.
Prelude
- RM90,950 less expensive
- 264-litre boot is 51 litres larger
- Eight airbags and lane-keeping steering correction
- 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.3 seconds
- Front-wheel drive eCVT instead of all-wheel drive manual
- Three doors and four seats versus five doors and five seats
GR Corolla
- 296 hp and 400 Nm
- All-wheel drive with a six-speed manual
- Five doors, five seats and Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear
- Costs RM90,950 more
- 213-litre boot is 51 litres smaller
- Seven airbags versus eight, with lane-keeping warning rather than steering correction
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM368,950 |
| Body type | Coupe | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm | 296 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | 87 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 6MT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,407 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,851 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,475 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Yokohama Advan Apex |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Torsen Limited Slip Differential Front and Rear |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| 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, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | 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 | 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 | 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 Prelude & GR Corolla for sale
Prelude vs GR Corolla FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Toyota GR Corolla better?
The GR Corolla is better for outright performance and five-seat usability, with 296 hp, all-wheel drive and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Prelude for a larger boot, eight airbags and a far lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Corolla costs RM90,950 more than the Honda Prelude. The Prelude is RM278,000 and the GR Corolla is RM368,950.
Which is quicker, the Honda Prelude or Toyota GR Corolla?
The Toyota GR Corolla is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds versus 9.0 seconds for the Honda Prelude. It also has a 230 km/h top speed, against the Prelude’s 188 km/h.
