Verdict
The Toyota bZ4X is the more rational Malaysian buy: its 525 km EV range, 452-litre boot and five-seat, five-door layout suit family use far better than the Prelude’s 264 litres, four seats and three doors. It is also quicker to 100 km/h at 7.4 seconds against 9.0 seconds. The Prelude counters with a 1,469 kg kerb weight, 315 Nm motor torque and adaptive dampers, so it is the more focused coupe choice. But its RM377 annual road tax is RM177 higher than the bZ4X’s RM200.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want a lighter 1,469 kg four-seat coupe with adaptive dampers, 315 Nm of motor torque and a 188 km/h top speed.
Pick the Toyota bZ4X if you need five seats, a 452-litre boot, 525 km EV range and 150 kW DC charging for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Toyota bZ4X RM220,000
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds; Toyota bZ4X 7.4 seconds
- Motor torque: Honda Prelude 315 Nm; Toyota bZ4X 269 Nm
- Kerb weight: Honda Prelude 1,469 kg; Toyota bZ4X 2,020 kg
- Seats and boot: Honda Prelude 4 seats and 264 litres; Toyota bZ4X 5 seats and 452 litres
- Road tax: Honda Prelude RM377/year; Toyota bZ4X RM200/year
Prelude
- 315 Nm motor torque and a 188 km/h top speed
- 551 kg lighter than the bZ4X
- Adaptive dampers and paddle shifts
- RM58,000 dearer
- Three doors, four seats and a 264-litre boot
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 9.0 seconds
bZ4X
- 525 km EV range with 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging
- Five seats, five doors and a 452-litre boot
- Powered ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- 269 Nm motor torque trails the Prelude’s 315 Nm
- 2,020 kg kerb weight is 551 kg higher
- 160 km/h top speed is lower than the Prelude’s 188 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000 | RM220,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377 | RM200✓ |
| 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 | 224 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm✓ | 269 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 73.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 525 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 7.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 2,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres | 452 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front Centre, 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 outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation & Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Panoramic Roof Shade |
| Audio | — | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 6-speaker Sound System |
| 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 Push Button |
| 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & bZ4X for sale
Prelude vs bZ4X FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Toyota bZ4X better?
The Toyota bZ4X is better for most buyers because it is cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h, has five seats and carries 452 litres of luggage. Choose the Honda Prelude specifically for its lighter coupe layout, adaptive dampers and higher 188 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Prelude costs RM58,000 more than the Toyota bZ4X: RM278,000 versus RM220,000. Its annual road tax is also RM177 higher, at RM377 compared with RM200.
Which one is better for charging and long-distance EV use?
The Toyota bZ4X is the only EV here. Its 73.1 kWh battery is rated for 525 km, with 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging. The Prelude is a petrol hybrid, so it does not have an EV charging rate or EV range.
