Verdict
The Subaru BRZ is the sharper numbers car: 234 hp, 250 Nm, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. The Honda Prelude answers with a petrol hybrid/REV setup, a larger 264-litre boot, eight airbags, auto emergency braking and lower RM377 annual road tax. At RM278,000 against RM249,245, the Honda asks RM28,755 more, so Malaysian buyers need to decide if its safety kit and lower tax matter more than the BRZ’s pace.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the hybrid coupe with a bigger boot, more airbags, auto emergency braking and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want the quicker, rear-wheel-drive manual coupe and can live with the smaller boot and higher road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Subaru BRZ RM249,245
- Power and torque: Honda Prelude 143 hp/189 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp/250 Nm
- Drivetrain and gearbox: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive with eCVT automatic; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with manual
- Performance: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 s and 188 km/h top speed; Subaru BRZ 6.3 s and 226 km/h
- Practicality: Honda Prelude 264 L boot and 40 L tank; Subaru BRZ 226 L boot and 50 L tank
- Safety and tax: Honda Prelude 8 airbags, AEB and RM377 road tax; Subaru BRZ 7 airbags, no AEB listed and RM767 road tax
Prelude
- Lower RM377 annual road tax
- Larger 264-litre boot
- Eight airbags and auto emergency braking
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 143 hp and 189 Nm trail the Subaru BRZ
- Costs RM28,755 more
BRZ
- Quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 234 hp and 250 Nm
- Rear-wheel drive with a manual gearbox
- Higher RM767 annual road tax
- Smaller 226-litre boot
- Seven airbags and no auto emergency braking listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| 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, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | — |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM767 |
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 & BRZ for sale
Prelude vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Subaru BRZ better?
For performance, the Subaru BRZ is better: it has 234 hp, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and does 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. For safety kit and lower road tax, pick the Honda Prelude.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM28,755 more than the Subaru BRZ. The gap buys eight airbags, auto emergency braking, a bigger boot and lower road tax, but not more power or quicker acceleration.
Which coupe is more practical?
The Honda Prelude is more practical on boot space, with 264 litres against the Subaru BRZ’s 226 litres. Both are coupes with four seats and both are CBU models.