Verdict
The RM133,900 Civic is RM144,100 below the RM278,000 Prelude, a vast gap for Malaysian buyers. It is also the sensible daily driver: five seats, a 497-litre boot and a 2,735-mm wheelbase against the Prelude’s four seats, 264 litres and 2,605 mm. The Civic is quicker too, reaching 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds versus 9.0 seconds. The Prelude counters with a 181-hp, 315-Nm electric motor, adaptive dampers, 19-inch tyres and extra safety kit, but its higher RM377 annual road tax and coupe packaging demand a very specific buyer.
Pick the Honda Civic if you need five seats, a 497-litre boot and stronger 8.3-second performance for far less money.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you specifically want a four-seat hybrid coupe with adaptive dampers, 19-inch wheels and blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Honda Prelude RM278,000.
- Performance: Honda Civic 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and 200 km/h; Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds and 188 km/h.
- Practicality: Honda Civic has 5 seats and a 497-litre boot; Honda Prelude has 4 seats and a 264-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Honda Civic is 4,678 mm long with a 2,735-mm wheelbase; Honda Prelude is 4,522 mm long with a 2,605-mm wheelbase.
- Powertrain: Honda Civic has a 180-hp, 240-Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine; Honda Prelude has a 143-hp 2.
- Road tax: Honda Civic RM90 per year; Honda Prelude RM377 per year.
Civic
- RM144,100 cheaper to buy.
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five seats, rear air-con vents and a 497-litre boot.
- No adaptive dampers or 19-inch wheels.
- Lacks blind-spot monitoring, knee airbags and navigation.
Prelude
- 181-hp, 315-Nm electric motor.
- Adaptive dampers and 19-inch Continental PremiumContact 6 tyres.
- Gets blind-spot monitoring, knee airbags, navigation and dual-zone climate control.
- RM144,100 more expensive.
- Slower to 100 km/h, at 9.0 seconds versus 8.3 seconds.
- Only four seats and a 264-litre boot.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM278,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM377 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 143 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 189 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | e-CVT |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 188 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,522 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,355 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,605 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,469 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi Link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19 |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 19 |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 Civic & Prelude for sale
Civic vs Prelude FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Honda Prelude better?
The Civic is better for most Malaysian buyers because it is much cheaper, quicker, seats five and has a 497-litre boot. Choose the Prelude only if its hybrid coupe layout, adaptive dampers and extra safety equipment matter more than practicality.
What is the price difference?
The Prelude costs RM144,100 more than the Civic. That is a substantial premium, especially when the Civic is quicker to 100 km/h and provides an extra seat plus 233 litres more boot space.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Civic. Its four doors, five seats, 60:40 rear seat, rear air-con vents and 497-litre boot suit family use far better than the Prelude’s three doors, four seats and 264-litre boot.
