Verdict
These are very different C-segment CBUs at almost the same money: the BMW iX2 is RM283,800, the Honda Prelude RM278,000. The BMW is the harder-hitting, more usable car on paper, with dual motors, AWD, 308 hp, 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, five seats and a 525-litre boot. The Prelude counters as a lower coupe with four seats, a 1,993 cc hybrid drivetrain, 8 airbags and a 5-year warranty. It is not the pick for straight-line pace, but it has a slightly higher 188 km/h top speed.
Pick the BMW iX2 if you want EV punch, all-wheel drive, five seats and a boot that is more than twice the Prelude’s size.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want a lower two-door coupe shape, hybrid petrol use, more airbags and a longer factory warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX2 RM283,800; Honda Prelude RM278,000
- Powertrain: BMW iX2 dual-motor electric AWD; Honda Prelude 1,993 cc petrol hybrid/REV FWD
- Power and acceleration: BMW iX2 308 hp and 5.6 s 0-100 km/h; Honda Prelude 143 hp and 9.0 s
- Body and seating: BMW iX2 SUV with 5 seats; Honda Prelude coupe with 4 seats
- Boot space: BMW iX2 525 litres; Honda Prelude 264 litres
- Warranty and airbags: BMW iX2 2 years and 6 airbags; Honda Prelude 5 years and 8 airbags
iX2
- Much quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Dual-motor AWD with 308 hp
- Bigger 525-litre boot and five-seat cabin
- Shorter 2-year warranty
- Fewer airbags than the Prelude
- Top speed is lower at 180 km/h
Prelude
- Lower coupe body with a 1,355 mm height
- Longer 5-year warranty
- 8 airbags and AEB are standard
- Much slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Only four seats
- Small 264-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 283,800 | RM 278,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 143 hp |
| Torque | — | 189 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 81 mm |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | 494 Nm✓ | 315 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 64.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 417 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | e-CVT |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 188 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,554 mm | 4,522 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,355 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,605 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,469 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 19 |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 19 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 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 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound System | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 335✓ | RM 377 |
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.
iX2 vs Prelude FAQ
Is the BMW iX2 or Honda Prelude better?
The BMW iX2 is better for performance and practicality: 308 hp, AWD, 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h, five seats and 525 litres of boot space. The Honda Prelude makes more sense if you specifically want a hybrid coupe with 8 airbags and a 5-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX2 costs RM5,800 more than the Honda Prelude. At this price level, the bigger difference is not the money but the format: electric SUV versus petrol-hybrid coupe.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW iX2 is much quicker off the line, doing 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds against the Honda Prelude’s 9.0 seconds. The Prelude has the higher top speed, but only by 8 km/h: 188 km/h versus 180 km/h.