Verdict
The Honda Prelude makes more sense for a Malaysian buyer watching the purchase bill and annual tax: road tax is RM377 against the CLE’s RM380. Its 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time and 264-litre boot expose the trade-off. The Mercedes-Benz CLE reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, brings all-wheel drive and a 460-litre boot, plus powered heated and ventilated front seats. But the RM240,888 gap is substantial; the Prelude also has a five-year manufacturer warranty and adaptive dampers.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the far cheaper coupe with adaptive dampers, eight airbags and a five-year warranty, and can live with 9.0-second acceleration.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if 6.2-second performance, all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and a much richer cabin matter more than the RM240,888 premium.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 seconds.
- Driveline: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 litres.
- Wheelbase: Honda Prelude 2,605 mm; Mercedes-Benz CLE 2,865 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: Honda Prelude five years; Mercedes-Benz CLE four years.
Prelude
- RM240,888 cheaper to buy
- Adaptive dampers and eight airbags
- Five-year warranty plus 10-year hybrid battery warranty
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.2 seconds
- 264-litre boot is 196 litres smaller
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
CLE
- 255 hp and 400 Nm engine output
- 460-litre boot and 2,865 mm wheelbase
- Powered, heated and ventilated front seats with memory
- Costs RM240,888 more
- Four-year manufacturer warranty is one year shorter
- Seven airbags versus the Prelude’s eight
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM518,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp at 6,000 rpm | 255 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 19" AMG Multi-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) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available for Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | — | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 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 & CLE for sale
Prelude vs CLE FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is the more capable long-distance and performance coupe, with 6.2-second acceleration, all-wheel drive and a 460-litre boot. The Honda Prelude is the better financial choice, retaining adaptive dampers and a longer five-year manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM240,888 more than the Honda Prelude.
Which coupe is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds versus 9.0 seconds for the Honda Prelude. Its 255 hp, 400 Nm turbocharged engine also exceeds the Prelude’s 143 hp and 189 Nm engine figures.
