Verdict
The Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, RM90,888 below the RM368,888 Renault Megane RS, yet its 203 PS hybrid system and 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time put efficiency-led cruising ahead of outright pace. The Renault’s 296 hp, 420 Nm turbo engine cuts that sprint to 5.8 seconds and adds Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering, a Torsen limited-slip differential and launch control. It is also the more usable car, with five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot against the Prelude’s 264 litres. Honda counters with Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the RM90,888 lower entry price, hybrid powertrain and Honda Sensing in a four-seat coupe.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if you want 296 hp, 420 Nm, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and five-door practicality.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Renault Megane RS RM368,888.
- Performance: Honda Prelude 203 PS hybrid system and 9.0 sec 0-100 km/h; Renault Megane RS 296 hp and 5.8 sec.
- Torque: Honda Prelude motor produces 315 Nm; Renault Megane RS produces 420 Nm.
- Practicality: Honda Prelude has 3 doors, 4 seats and a 264-litre boot; Renault Megane RS has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 384-litre boot.
- Driver assistance: Honda Prelude gets Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control; Renault Megane RS has passive cruise control and no autonomous braking listed.
- Warranty: Honda Prelude has 5 years/unlimited mileage plus a 10-year hybrid-battery warranty; Renault Megane RS has 3 years/100,000 km.
Prelude
- RM90,888 cheaper to buy.
- Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and 10-year hybrid-battery cover.
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.8 seconds.
- Three doors, four seats and a 264-litre boot trail the Renault’s five-door layout and 384 litres.
- Lacks the Megane RS’s Torsen limited-slip differential, rear-wheel steering and launch control.
Megane RS
- 296 hp and 420 Nm with a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot.
- Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering, Torsen limited-slip differential and launch control.
- Costs RM90,888 more.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed.
- Three-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter than Honda’s five-year unlimited-mileage cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM368,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377 | RM279✓ |
| 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 | 296 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Getrag |
| 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 | 260 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 | 1,405 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) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| 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, Launch Control |
| 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Electronic |
| 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 | — |
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 Prelude & Megane RS for sale
Prelude vs Megane RS FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Renault Megane RS better?
The Megane RS is better for pace and carrying people or luggage: 296 hp, 420 Nm, 5.8 seconds to 100 km/h, five seats and 384 litres. The Prelude is the better choice for lower purchase cost, hybrid driving and active safety.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM90,888 more than the Honda Prelude: RM368,888 versus RM278,000.
Which has the better warranty?
The Honda Prelude has the stronger cover, with a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and a 10-year unlimited-mileage high-voltage battery warranty. The Renault Megane RS has a three-year, 100,000 km warranty.