BMW 4 Series vs Honda Prelude
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 8 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$83,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$59,100est. RRP
- with the BMW 4 Series's standard kit: $59,100 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 4 Series starts from $83,500 before on-road costs, while the Honda Prelude opens at $59,100 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $91,850 and $65,010 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $2,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the BMW 4 Series. ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Honda Prelude. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
BMW 4 Series
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 2 more on the model page.
Honda Prelude
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW 4 Series features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Honda Prelude gets a 9-inch display and 10.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Prelude counters with wireless charging, Bose audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 4 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Honda Prelude offers leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW 4 Series uses a Petrol producing 135kW and 300Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Honda Prelude responds with a Inline 4 making 135kW and 315Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 4 Series is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 4 Series measures 4,770mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 77mm longer than the Honda Prelude at 4,693mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 4 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 440L in the BMW 4 Series and 264L in the Honda Prelude, giving the BMW 4 Series a 176L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 11.8m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,824/year for the BMW 4 Series and $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude. That is a $598 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 4 Series) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 4 Series if: You need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Honda Prelude: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 68
The Honda Prelude comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 68), taking 1 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (BMW 4 Series ahead by 21), fuel economy (Honda Prelude ahead by 19), value (Honda Prelude ahead by 12). The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $598 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 4 Series has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 4 Series and Honda Prelude?
The Honda Prelude is the cheapest at $59,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 4 Series by $24,400.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Prelude uses the least fuel at 4.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Honda Prelude, and we hold no ANCAP data for BMW 4 Series, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 4 Series has the largest boot at 440L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 4 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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