Verdict
At RM278,000, the Prelude costs RM55,311 more than the Forester, yet it is the quicker car to 100 km/h at 9.0 seconds and its hybrid system brings a 181 hp, 315 Nm motor. It is also a low 1,355 mm coupe with four seats and a 264-litre boot. The RM222,689 Forester is the more useful Malaysian daily driver: five seats, a 496-litre boot, all-wheel drive and X-Mode. Its RM838 annual road tax is steep beside the Prelude’s RM377, however.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want the quicker 9.0-second hybrid coupe and can live with four seats and a 264-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Forester if five seats, a 496-litre boot, all-wheel drive and easier SUV access matter more than acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Performance: Honda Prelude 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds; Subaru Forester in 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: Honda Prelude has 4 seats and a 264-litre boot; Subaru Forester has 5 seats and a 496-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Honda Prelude is 1,355 mm tall; Subaru Forester is 1,730 mm tall.
- Annual road tax: Honda Prelude RM377; Subaru Forester RM838.
Prelude
- Quicker 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Hybrid motor produces 181 hp and 315 Nm.
- Adaptive dampers and 19-inch wheels.
- RM55,311 dearer.
- Only four seats and a 264-litre boot.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Forester
- Five seats and a 496-litre boot.
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode.
- Powered front seats, rear air vents and a 360-degree camera.
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Annual road tax is RM461 higher.
- No front parking sensors or built-in navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 247 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, 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 for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 & Forester for sale
Prelude vs Forester FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is better for family and luggage duties, with five seats, 496 litres of boot space and all-wheel drive. Choose the Prelude for its quicker 9.0-second sprint, hybrid hardware and coupe format.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM55,311 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which one is cheaper to tax each year?
The Prelude is cheaper to tax at RM377 annually, compared with RM838 for the Forester. The Subaru costs RM461 more each year in road tax.
