Verdict
At RM278,000, the Honda Prelude costs RM3,112 more than the RM274,888 Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric, yet the Mercedes is the stronger practical buy on paper. Its 268 hp motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 6.7 seconds, against 9.0 seconds for the Prelude, while five seats and a 405-litre boot suit family duties far better than four seats and 264 litres. The Honda counters with a much lighter 1,469 kg kerb weight, adaptive dampers and a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty. Choose carefully if DC charging matters: the CLA’s 85 kWh battery accepts up to 320 kW, but not 400V DC chargers.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the lighter 1,469 kg coupe, adaptive dampers and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if you need five seats, a 405-litre boot, 748 km of EV range and much quicker 6.7-second acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric RM274,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 6.7 seconds.
- Powertrain output: Honda Prelude 181 hp/315 Nm motor; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 268 hp/335 Nm motor.
- Practicality: Honda Prelude has four seats and a 264-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric has five seats and a 405-litre boot.
- Kerb weight: Honda Prelude 1,469 kg; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric 1,980 kg.
- Warranty: Honda Prelude gets five years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric gets four years unlimited mileage.
Prelude
- 511 kg lighter kerb weight
- Adaptive dampers fitted
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.7 seconds
- Four seats and a 264-litre boot trail the Mercedes' five seats and 405 litres
- Costs RM3,112 more
CLA Electric
- 268 hp and 335 Nm motor
- 748 km range with 85 kWh battery
- 405-litre boot and five seats
- 511 kg heavier than the Prelude
- Four-year vehicle warranty is one year shorter
- Cannot use 400V DC chargers
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM274,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | 268 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | 335 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 85 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 748 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 320 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Two-speed Automatic |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | Two-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 2 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,980 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 3 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 405 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| 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 | Yes, with Evasive Steering Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Traffic Sign Recognition, Curve Speed Reduction, Emergency Stop Assist, Parking AEB, Evasive Steering Assist. MB.Drive Assist (Level 2, adds lane centring and auto lane change) is a subscription: RM169/month (first month free), RM1,690/12 months or RM4,059/36 months incl. service tax |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED with Starry Motif |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Heat-rejection Coating (no sunshade) |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | 64-colour Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging |
| 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, with Park Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km |
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 & CLA Electric for sale
Prelude vs CLA Electric FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric better?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric is better for outright pace, passenger space and luggage capacity, with 268 hp, five seats and a 405-litre boot. The Honda Prelude suits buyers who prioritise lower weight, adaptive dampers and longer vehicle warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM3,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric.
Can the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric use a 400V DC charger?
No. The CLA Electric uses an 800V architecture and has no 400V DC charger compatibility. Its maximum DC charging rate is 320 kW, while AC charging is rated at 11 kW.
