Verdict
The Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, RM8,245 less than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, and its RM377 annual road tax is RM390 lower. Its 203 PS 2.0-litre hybrid coupe drivetrain, adaptive dampers and Honda Sensing make it the more modern long-distance proposition, despite a 264-litre boot and four seats. The WRX answers with 271 hp, 375 Nm, six-speed manual and all-wheel drive, plus a far more useful 411-litre boot and five-seat, four-door cabin. Pick the Honda for assistance systems and lower running tax; take the Subaru for driver involvement and family space.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the RM8,245 lower entry price, 203 PS hybrid drivetrain, adaptive cruise control and Honda Sensing in a two-door coupe.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, a six-speed manual, all-wheel drive and a five-seat sedan with a 411-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Road tax: Honda Prelude RM377 per year; Subaru WRX RM767 per year.
- Engine output: Honda Prelude 143 hp and 189 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive e-CVT; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive six-speed manual.
- Practicality: Honda Prelude has 4 seats and a 264-litre boot; Subaru WRX has 5 seats and a 411-litre boot.
- Safety assistance: Honda Prelude has Honda Sensing with autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction; Subaru WRX has no listed autonomous braking or…
Prelude
- RM8,245 cheaper with RM390 lower annual road tax.
- 203 PS 2.0-litre hybrid system and 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control and adaptive dampers.
- Four seats and a 264-litre boot versus the WRX's five seats and 411 litres.
- Front-wheel drive e-CVT lacks the WRX's all-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
- 143 hp and 189 Nm engine figures trail the WRX's 271 hp and 375 Nm.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo engine.
- All-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
- Five seats, four doors and a 411-litre boot.
- Costs RM8,245 more and has RM390 higher annual road tax.
- No listed autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control.
- No adaptive dampers listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Coupe | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| 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" Alloy |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| 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 two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| 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 | — |
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 & WRX for sale
Prelude vs WRX FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Subaru WRX better?
The Prelude is better for lower road tax, hybrid power and driver-assistance equipment. The WRX is better for manual-driving involvement, all-wheel drive and carrying five people with 147 litres more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM286,245 and the Honda Prelude costs RM278,000, so the WRX is RM8,245 more expensive before insurance.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Subaru WRX is clearly more practical: it has four doors, five seats and a 411-litre boot. The Prelude is a three-door coupe with four seats and a 264-litre boot.