Verdict
At RM133,900 against RM278,000, the Honda Civic asks RM144,100 less yet is quicker to 100 km/h (8.3 versus 9.0 seconds), faster flat out (200 versus 188 km/h) and far easier to live with. It has four doors and five seats, while boot space is 497 litres against the Honda Prelude’s 264 litres. The Prelude counters with a 181 hp/315 Nm motor, 19-inch tyres and adaptive dampers, plus Blind Spot Info and front knee airbags. This is the emotional choice, not the sensible buy.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the cheaper, quicker and more practical C-segment Honda with five seats, a 497-litre boot and RM90 annual road tax.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the three-door coupe body, hybrid motor shove, adaptive dampers and extra safety kit more than outright value or boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Honda Prelude RM278,000
- Powertrain: Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm petrol engine; Honda Prelude 143 hp/189 Nm petrol engine plus 181 hp/315 Nm motor
- Performance: Honda Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and 200 km/h; Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds and 188 km/h
- Body and seating: Honda Civic 4-door sedan with 5 seats; Honda Prelude 3-door coupe with 4 seats
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Honda Prelude 264 litres
- Road tax and tank: Honda Civic RM90/year and 47 litres; Honda Prelude RM377/year and 40 litres
Civic
- Much lower price with stronger measured acceleration
- Four doors, five seats and a far larger 497-litre boot
- Lower RM90 annual road tax and larger 47-litre fuel tank
- No Blind Spot Info System
- No front knee airbags
- Single-zone air-con versus the Prelude’s dual-zone system
Prelude
- Hybrid system uses a 181 hp/315 Nm motor with a lithium-ion battery
- Gets adaptive dampers, 19-inch wheels and wider 235/40R19 tyres
- Adds Blind Spot Info, front knee airbags, navigation and a full LCD instrument cluster
- Costs RM144,100 more than the Civic
- Slower to 100 km/h and lower top speed
- Only four seats, three doors, 264 litres of boot space and no rear air-con vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM278,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 143 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 189 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | e-CVT |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 188 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,522 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,355 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,605 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,469 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi Link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19 |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19 |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | 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 | 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 | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM377 |
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 Civic & Prelude for sale
Civic vs Prelude FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda Prelude better?
For most Malaysian buyers, the Honda Civic is better. It is RM144,100 cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h, faster at the top end, has five seats and carries 497 litres of luggage.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM144,100 more than the Honda Civic. That gap buys the coupe body, hybrid motor, adaptive dampers, 19-inch wheels, Blind Spot Info and front knee airbags.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Honda Civic is clearly more practical. It has four doors, five seats, rear air-con vents, rear USB ports, a 47-litre tank and a 497-litre boot; the Honda Prelude has three doors, four seats and 264 litres.