Verdict
At RM278,000, the Honda Prelude costs RM109,112 more than the RM168,888 Nissan Leaf, a substantial divide for Malaysian buyers. The Prelude is the coupe choice, with 19-inch tyres, adaptive dampers, a multi-link rear suspension and a 188 km/h top speed. Yet the Leaf reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds against 9.0, while its five doors, five seats and 435-litre boot are far easier to live with than the Prelude’s 264 litres. Choose by charging access: the Leaf’s 40-kWh battery is rated at 270 km.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want a four-seat coupe with adaptive dampers, a multi-link rear end and Honda Sensing lane-keeping steering correction.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you have dependable charging and need five doors, five seats, a 435-litre boot and a far lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Acceleration/top speed: Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and 188 km/h; Leaf 7.9 seconds and 155 km/h.
- Accommodation: Prelude has 3 doors and 4 seats; Leaf has 5 doors and 5 seats.
- Boot space: Prelude 264 litres; Leaf 435 litres.
- Road tax: Prelude RM377 per year; Leaf RM100 per year.
- Warranty: Prelude 5 years with unlimited mileage; Leaf 3 years/100,000 km.
Prelude
- Adaptive dampers and multi-link rear suspension
- Honda Sensing with lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control
- 19-inch wheels, blind spot information and front/rear parking sensors
- Only 3 doors and 4 seats versus the Leaf’s 5 doors and 5 seats
- 264-litre boot trails the Leaf by 171 litres
- 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.1 seconds slower
Leaf
- 40-kWh battery with a claimed 270-km EV range
- Five-door body, five seats and a 435-litre boot
- 50-kW DC charging and Around View Monitor
- No lane-keeping assist or blind spot information system
- 155 km/h top speed is 33 km/h below the Prelude’s
- 3-year/100,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter than the Prelude’s 5-year unlimited-mileage cover
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM168,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | — |
| Torque | 189 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 81 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 40.0 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 270 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 7.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Torsion Beam |
| 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 | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | 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 | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| 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 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty | 3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year |
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 & Leaf for sale
Prelude vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Nissan Leaf better?
The Nissan Leaf is better for practicality and lower running costs, with five seats, a 435-litre boot and RM100 annual road tax. Choose the Honda Prelude for its coupe layout, adaptive dampers, multi-link rear suspension and stronger driver-assistance equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM278,000 and the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, so the Prelude is RM109,112 more expensive.
Which has the better driver-assistance package?
The Honda Prelude has the stronger package: autonomous braking, collision warning, blind spot information, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction. The Leaf has autonomous braking and collision warning, but no lane-keeping assist or blind spot system.
