Honda Prelude vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
Verdict
For Malaysian buyers, the Honda Prelude offers a competitive price of RM 278,000, making it an attractive option for those seeking a stylish coupe with hybrid efficiency. With a 0-100 km/h time of 9.0 seconds, it balances performance and economy, while its 264 L boot space caters well for everyday use, albeit with less power at 143 hp compared to the CLE's impressive 255 hp. In contrast, the CLE's higher price of RM 518,888 reflects its performance capabilities and luxury features, making it a compelling choice for those prioritising power and space.
Pick the Prelude if you want a more affordable hybrid coupe with decent performance.
Pick the CLE if you seek a powerful, luxury coupe with superior performance and space.
Key differences
- Price: RM 278,000 vs RM 518,888
- Power: 143 hp vs 255 hp
- Torque: 189 Nm vs 400 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 9.0 s vs 6.2 s
- Boot space: 264 L vs 460 L
- Fuel tank: 40 L vs 66 L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 278,000✓ | RM 518,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,993 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 143 hp | 255 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.0 s | 6.2 s✓ |
| Top speed | 188 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 1.0 kWh |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Boot space | 264 L | 460 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 40 L | 66 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 377✓ | RM 380 |
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.
Prelude
- Affordable price for a hybrid coupe
- Decent boot space for daily use
- Good fuel economy with hybrid technology
- Lower power output than competitors
- Slower acceleration compared to CLE
CLE
- Powerful engine with 255 hp
- Spacious boot and fuel tank
- Quicker acceleration at 6.2 seconds
- Higher price point may deter buyers
- Less fuel-efficient than Prelude
Prelude vs CLE FAQ
Is the Prelude or CLE better?
The choice depends on your priorities; the Prelude is more affordable and economical, while the CLE offers superior performance and luxury.
What is the price difference?
The Prelude is priced at RM 278,000, while the CLE costs RM 518,888, making the CLE RM 240,888 more expensive.
How do the performance metrics compare?
The Prelude accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds, whereas the CLE achieves this in just 6.2 seconds, highlighting the CLE's performance advantage.