Ford Mustang 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.
Ford Mustang
From $72,990
Coupe
Petrol
Petrol I4 Turbo
232kW
9.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
408L
Honda Prelude
From $61,100
Coupe
Hybrid
Inline 4
135kW
4.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
281L
Track the Ford Mustang & Honda Prelude
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Price Breakdown
The Ford Mustang starts from $72,990 before on-road costs, while the Honda Prelude opens at $61,100. That makes the Honda Prelude the more affordable entry point by $11,890.
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 $80,289 and $67,210 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $7,265 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Mustang features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.4-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 Ford Mustang stands out with heated front seats, ventilated seats and Bang & Olufsen audio that you will not find on the Honda Prelude. The Honda Prelude counters with Bose audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Mustang uses a Petrol I4 Turbo producing 232kW and 475Nm of torque, sent through a 10-speed automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.6 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.
The Ford Mustang has the clear power advantage at 232kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the Ford Mustang is 2.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Mustang measures 4,811mm long on a 2,719mm wheelbase, 118mm longer than the Honda Prelude at 4,693mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Prelude generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 408L in the Ford Mustang and 281L in the Honda Prelude, giving the Ford Mustang a 127L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m to 11.8m
Based on 11.5m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,679/year for the Ford Mustang and $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude. That is a $1,453 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Estimated annual total: $2,679 (Ford Mustang) vs $1,226 (Honda Prelude). The Honda Prelude saves you roughly $1,453 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Ford Mustang) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Mustang if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Ford Mustang takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $1,453 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Ford Mustang 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, Ford Mustang and Honda Prelude?
The Honda Prelude is the cheapest at $61,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Ford Mustang by $11,890.
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?
None of Ford Mustang and Honda Prelude carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Ford Mustang has the largest boot at 408L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Ford Mustang makes the most power at 232kW. The Ford Mustang is quickest to 100km/h in 5.6s.
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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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