Honda Prelude vs Hyundai Sonata
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 Sonata
From $55,500
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
213kW
8.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
Track the Honda Prelude & Hyundai Sonata
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Honda Prelude starts from $61,100 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Sonata opens at $55,500. That makes the Hyundai Sonata the more affordable entry point by $5,600.
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 $61,050 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $5,415 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 Sonata gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Prelude stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the Hyundai Sonata. The Hyundai Sonata counters with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Honda Prelude gets leather upholstery while the Hyundai Sonata offers suede & nappa leather.
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 Sonata responds with a Petrol making 213kW and 422Nm, paired to a 8-speed wet dual-clutch (dct) driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai Sonata has the clear power advantage at 213kW vs 135kW. 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, 217mm shorter than the Hyundai Sonata at 4,910mm (2,840mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Sonata generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Honda Prelude and 480L in the Hyundai Sonata, giving the Hyundai Sonata a 216L advantage. The Hyundai Sonata seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m 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 11.0m 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 $2,309/year for the Hyundai Sonata. That is a $1,083 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Estimated annual total: $1,226 (Honda Prelude) vs $2,309 (Hyundai Sonata). The Honda Prelude saves you roughly $1,083 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 7 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Sonata). The Hyundai Sonata has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Sonata if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Sonata takes 4 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $1,083 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Sonata has a clear edge. The Hyundai Sonata adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. 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 Sonata?
The Hyundai Sonata is the cheapest at $55,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Prelude by $5,600.
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 Honda Prelude and Hyundai Sonata carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Sonata has the largest boot at 480L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Hyundai Sonata has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Sonata makes the most power at 213kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
