Honda Prelude vs Lexus ES
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Honda Prelude starts from $61,100 before on-road costs, while the Lexus ES opens at $65,540. That makes the Honda Prelude the more affordable entry point by $4,440.
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 $72,094 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
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 Lexus ES gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Prelude stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bose audio that you will not find on the Lexus ES. The Lexus ES counters with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front 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 Lexus ES offers synthetic 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 Lexus ES responds with a Hybrid making 160kW and 221Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Lexus ES has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the Honda Prelude is 0.7s quicker. 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, 282mm shorter than the Lexus ES at 4,975mm (2,870mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Honda Prelude and 454L in the Lexus ES, giving the Lexus ES a 190L advantage. The Lexus ES seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m 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 11.6m 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 $1,368/year for the Lexus ES. That is a $142 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Estimated annual total: $1,226 (Honda Prelude) vs $1,368 (Lexus ES). The Honda Prelude saves you roughly $142 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 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus ES). The Honda Prelude has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus ES).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus ES if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Honda Prelude takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $142 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lexus ES has a clear edge. The Honda Prelude adds peace of mind with a longer 5-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 Lexus ES?
The Honda Prelude is the cheapest at $61,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $4,440.
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 Lexus ES carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 454L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Honda Prelude has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus ES makes the most power at 160kW. The Honda Prelude is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
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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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