Verdict
The RM20,498 premium for the Honda Prelude buys a 203 PS 2.0-litre hybrid system, adaptive dampers and a far fuller safety kit, including autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. Yet the Toyota 86 is the more direct sports-coupe choice: its 197 hp, 205 Nm rear-drive manual layout reaches 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, 1.4 seconds ahead of the Prelude, and it weighs 194 kg less. The Honda makes more sense for a Malaysian buyer wanting four-seat practicality, 264 litres of boot space and daily-driver assistance systems; the Toyota is for someone who wants the six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive first.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want hybrid power, adaptive dampers, 264 litres of boot space and Honda Sensing safety assistance in a four-seat coupe.
Pick the Toyota 86 if a 1,275 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time matters more than driver-assistance features.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Toyota 86 RM257,502.
- Performance: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds; Toyota 86 in 7.6 seconds.
- Driveline and gearbox: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive eCVT; Toyota 86 rear-wheel drive six-speed manual.
- Weight: Honda Prelude 1,469 kg; Toyota 86 1,275 kg.
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Toyota 86 243 litres.
- Driver assistance: Honda Prelude has autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring; Toyota 86 has none of these systems.
Prelude
- 203 PS 2.0-litre hybrid system with a 181 hp, 315 Nm motor
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- 264-litre boot and 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- RM20,498 more expensive
- 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Toyota 86 by 1.4 seconds
- 194 kg heavier than the Toyota 86
86
- 197 hp, 205 Nm naturally aspirated engine with six-speed manual
- Rear-wheel drive and 1,275 kg kerb weight
- Full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring or reverse camera
- 243-litre boot is 21 litres smaller
- Only two rear parking sensors versus the Prelude's front and rear sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM257,502✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 197 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 86 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 | 6MT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 7.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,240 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,275 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres✓ | 243 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Michelin Primacy HP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — Equivalent to Subaru BRZ with 7 airbags and stability control |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | — |
| 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 | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 1 Glovebox |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 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 | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 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 & 86 for sale
Prelude vs 86 FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Toyota 86 better?
The Prelude is better equipped for daily use, with hybrid power, adaptive dampers, autonomous braking and a larger boot. The 86 is better if driving involvement is the priority, pairing rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual with a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM20,498 more than the Toyota 86. Its extra spend brings hybrid propulsion, adaptive dampers, Honda Sensing, blind-spot monitoring, a reverse camera and front parking sensors.
Which coupe is quicker?
The Toyota 86 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds against the Honda Prelude's 9.0 seconds. It also has a 226 km/h top speed, compared with 188 km/h for the Prelude.