GAC M8 vs Honda Prelude
Verdict
This is really an MPV-versus-coupe decision. At RM328,800, the GAC M8 is RM50,800 above the RM278,000 Honda Prelude, but it buys seven seats, 5,212 mm length, a 3,070 mm wheelbase and a 25.57 kWh LFP battery with 106 km EV range. The Prelude counters as a four-seat coupe that is 951 kg lighter, has adaptive dampers, a 188 km/h top speed and stronger warranty mileage. Straight-line pace is almost level: 8.8 seconds plays 9.0 seconds.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, power sliding doors and plug-in hybrid running with up to 106 km of EV range.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the cheaper, lighter two-door coupe with adaptive dampers and unlimited-mileage warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Honda Prelude RM278,000
- Seating: GAC M8 7 seats; Honda Prelude 4 seats
- Size: GAC M8 5,212 mm long with 3,070 mm wheelbase; Honda Prelude 4,522 mm long with 2,605 mm wheelbase
- Weight: GAC M8 2,420 kg; Honda Prelude 1,469 kg
- Acceleration: GAC M8 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds
- Electrified hardware: GAC M8 25.57 kWh battery and 106 km EV range; Honda Prelude battery capacity and EV range not listed
M8
- Seven-seat MPV body with second-row captain's seats and a split-folding third row
- Plug-in hybrid system gets a 25.57 kWh LFP battery, 106 km EV range and DC charging at 40 kW
- More rear-cabin kit: rear AC vents, rear window shades and power sliding doors
- Costs RM50,800 more than the Honda Prelude
- Much heavier at 2,420 kg versus 1,469 kg
- Navigation is not listed, while the Honda Prelude has it
Prelude
- Lower entry price by RM50,800
- Much lighter at 1,469 kg, yet only 0.2 seconds slower from 0-100 km/h
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and 10-year unlimited-mileage high-voltage battery warranty
- Only four seats versus the GAC M8's seven
- No plug-in EV range or charging figures listed, while the GAC M8 has 106 km EV range and 6.6 kW AC charging
- No rear air-con vents listed, while the GAC M8 has rear AC vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 328,800 | RM 278,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp✓ | 143 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 189 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 81 mm |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | 181 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | 315 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | e-CVT |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds✓ | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 188 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,522 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,355 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,605 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 1,469 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 19 |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | 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 | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 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 | LED Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | 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.
M8 vs Prelude FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Honda Prelude better?
The GAC M8 is better for family use, seven-seat travel and plug-in hybrid EV running. The Honda Prelude is better if you want a cheaper, lighter coupe with adaptive dampers and stronger mileage terms on the warranty.
What is the price difference?
The GAC M8 costs RM50,800 more than the Honda Prelude. That gap mainly buys a much larger seven-seat MPV body, power sliding doors and a 25.57 kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 106 km EV range.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The GAC M8 is marginally quicker at 8.8 seconds, while the Honda Prelude takes 9.0 seconds. The difference is only 0.2 seconds, so the bigger split is body style and weight, not straight-line pace.