Verdict
At RM278,000, the Honda Prelude costs RM18,000 less and brings hybrid drive, Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance and a 264-litre boot. It is the easier coupe to live with, but its 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time and front-wheel drive do not disguise the performance deficit. The Toyota GR86 answers with 234 hp, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a rear limited-slip differential, reaching 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. For a Malaysian buyer after a proper driver’s coupe, the GR86 earns its extra outlay; the Prelude suits those who prioritise assistance systems and practicality.
Pick the Honda Prelude if hybrid drive, Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control and 264 litres of boot space matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want 234 hp, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Prelude RM278,000; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds; Toyota GR86 6.3 seconds.
- Powertrain output: Honda Prelude 143 hp engine plus 181 hp motor; Toyota GR86 234 hp engine.
- Driveline and gearbox: Honda Prelude front-wheel drive eCVT; Toyota GR86 rear-wheel drive six-speed manual.
- Boot space: Honda Prelude 264 litres; Toyota GR86 226 litres.
- Road tax: Honda Prelude RM377 per year; Toyota GR86 RM767 per year.
Prelude
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance
- Adaptive cruise control and auto wipers
- Larger 264-litre boot with 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.3 seconds
- Front-wheel drive and eCVT instead of rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre
GR86
- 234 hp and 250 Nm from a 2.4-litre engine
- Rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual and rear limited-slip differential
- Full-size spare tyre and 226 km/h top speed
- Costs RM18,000 more
- No listed autonomous braking or lane-keeping assistance
- Smaller 226-litre boot and higher RM767 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM278,000✓ | RM296,000 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM377✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 143 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 189 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | e-CVT | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 188 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,522 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,355 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,605 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,469 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi Link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19 | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 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 & GR86 for sale
Prelude vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Honda Prelude or Toyota GR86 better?
The Toyota GR86 is better for driving involvement, with rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, 234 hp and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Honda Prelude for hybrid drive, more driver assistance and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR86 costs RM18,000 more than the Honda Prelude: RM296,000 against RM278,000.
Which coupe is faster, the Honda Prelude or Toyota GR86?
The Toyota GR86 is substantially faster on the 0-100 km/h measure, taking 6.3 seconds versus the Honda Prelude’s 9.0 seconds. Its top speed is also higher, at 226 km/h against 188 km/h.
