Honda Prelude vs Hyundai i30 Sedan
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
Honda Prelude
From $61,100
Sedan
Hybrid
Inline 4
135kW
4.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
264L
Hyundai i30 Sedan
From $29,250
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
110kW
6.1 L/100km
3★ ANCAP
474L
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Price Breakdown
The Honda Prelude starts from $61,100 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai i30 Sedan opens at $29,250. That makes the Hyundai i30 Sedan the more affordable entry point by $31,850.
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 $67,210 and $32,175 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $2,565 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 Honda Prelude features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai i30 Sedan gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Prelude stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, Bose audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Hyundai i30 Sedan. The Hyundai i30 Sedan counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Honda Prelude uses a Inline 4 producing 135kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels.
The Honda Prelude has the clear power advantage at 135kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda Prelude measures 4,693mm long on a 2,735mm wheelbase, 17mm shorter than the Hyundai i30 Sedan at 4,710mm (2,720mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Prelude generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Honda Prelude and 474L in the Hyundai i30 Sedan, giving the Hyundai i30 Sedan a 210L advantage. The Hyundai i30 Sedan seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.8m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m 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 $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude and $1,739/year for the Hyundai i30 Sedan. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Estimated annual total: $1,226 (Honda Prelude) vs $1,739 (Hyundai i30 Sedan). The Honda Prelude saves you roughly $513 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai i30 Sedan). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai i30 Sedan if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i30 Sedan takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai i30 Sedan 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, Honda Prelude and Hyundai i30 Sedan?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan is the cheapest at $29,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Prelude by $31,850.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Prelude uses the least fuel at 4.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai i30 Sedan all hold a 3-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan has the largest boot at 474L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Honda Prelude makes the most power at 135kW.
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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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