Verdict
The Honda Prelude is the lower, wider two-door: 4 seats, 264-litre boot, 1,355 mm tall, and RM278,000. The Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888, is a 5-seat SUV with 435 litres, a longer 2,729 mm wheelbase and 5.6 L/100 km fuel figure. Performance is close, but the GLA is quicker to 100 km/h at 8.7 seconds versus 9.0, and reaches 210 km/h against 188. For Malaysia, the Prelude asks more money for coupe character; the GLA is easier to justify as daily transport.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want a CBU coupe with four seats, a petrol hybrid set-up, 8 airbags and a longer 5-year warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you need five seats, SUV height, a 435-litre boot and the lower RM258,888 price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888
- Body and seats: Honda Prelude coupe with 4 seats; Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV with 5 seats
- Powertrain: Honda Prelude 1,993 cc petrol hybrid/REV with eCVT; Mercedes-Benz GLA 1,332 cc petrol with wet dual-clutch
- Output: Honda Prelude 143 hp and 189 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp and 250 Nm
- Performance: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 s and 188 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 s and 210 km/h
- Boot and warranty: Honda Prelude 264 L and 5 years; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 L and 4 years
Prelude
- CBU coupe shape is lower and wider than the GLA
- 8 airbags versus the GLA's 7
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Costs RM19,112 more
- Only 4 seats and a 264-litre boot
- Slower 0-100 km/h time and lower top speed
GLA
- Lower purchase price
- 5 seats and a 435-litre boot
- More power and torque, with quicker acceleration
- Shorter 4-year warranty
- 7 airbags versus the Prelude's 8
- Higher annual fuel tank capacity is small difference only: 43 L versus 40 L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 278,000 | RM 258,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 377 | RM 100✓ |
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 vs GLA FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
For most Malaysian buyers, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is the better all-rounder. It costs less, has five seats, a bigger 435-litre boot, stronger 161 hp/250 Nm outputs and quicker 8.7-second 0-100 km/h performance.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888. The Prelude is RM19,112 more expensive.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is more practical. It has five seats against the Prelude's four, 435 litres of boot space versus 264 litres, and a taller SUV body at 1,611 mm compared with 1,355 mm.