Verdict
At RM278,000 against RM279,888, this is not a price fight; the RM1,888 gap is noise. The Renault Megane RS is the hard hitter, with 276 hp, 390 Nm, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and a 255 km/h top speed. The Honda Prelude is a different brief: a 2.0-litre hybrid coupe with 143 hp from its petrol engine, 181 hp from its motor, adaptive dampers, Honda Sensing and the longer warranty. For Malaysian use, the Renault’s five doors and 384-litre boot matter.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want a hybrid coupe with Honda Sensing, adaptive dampers and stronger warranty cover more than outright pace.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if you want the manual gearbox, serious acceleration and the easier daily packaging of five doors.
Key differences
- Acceleration: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds; Renault Megane RS in 5.8 seconds
- Top speed: Honda Prelude 188 km/h; Renault Megane RS 255 km/h
- Output: Honda Prelude 143 hp/189 Nm engine plus 181 hp/315 Nm motor; Renault Megane RS 276 hp/390 Nm
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Renault Megane RS 384 litres
- Doors and seats: Honda Prelude 3 doors/4 seats; Renault Megane RS 5 doors/5 seats
- Warranty: Honda Prelude 5 years/unlimited mileage plus 10-year unlimited-mileage hybrid battery cover; Renault Megane RS 3 years/100,000 km
Prelude
- Honda Sensing adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- Longer 5-year/unlimited-mileage warranty
- Four front parking sensors versus none on the Renault Megane RS
- Much slower to 100 km/h: 9.0 seconds versus 5.8 seconds
- Less practical: 3 doors, 4 seats and a 264-litre boot versus 5 doors, 5 seats and 384 litres
- Smaller 40-litre fuel tank versus 50 litres
Megane RS
- Far quicker: 5.8 seconds to 100 km/h and 255 km/h flat out
- 6-speed manual with Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering and Torsen limited-slip differential
- More usable rear half: 5 doors and rear air-con vents
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning
- Shorter 3-year/100,000 km warranty versus 5 years/unlimited mileage
- No front parking sensors versus 4 on the Honda Prelude
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 278,000✓ | RM 279,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Hatchback |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 276 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 79.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.2 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Renault |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 255 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 181 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,382 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 384 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 on Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 3 Rear |
| Audio | — | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 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 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 377 | RM 279✓ |
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 Megane RS FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Renault Megane RS better?
The Renault Megane RS is better for performance and practicality. The Honda Prelude is better if you want hybrid hardware, Honda Sensing and longer warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM1,888 more than the Honda Prelude, so the buying decision should come down to performance, packaging and equipment rather than price.
Which car is more practical?
The Renault Megane RS is more practical, with 5 doors, 5 seats and a 384-litre boot. The Honda Prelude has 3 doors, 4 seats and 264 litres of boot space.