Honda Prelude vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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 13 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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$59,100est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$66,500RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
Track the Honda Prelude & Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
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Price Breakdown
The Honda Prelude starts from $59,100 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only) before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class opens at $66,500. 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 $65,010 and $73,150 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $1,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
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
Honda Prelude
None open on our record
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- REC-005401 · published 6 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 7 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Prelude stands out with wireless charging and Bose audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class counters with panoramic roof. 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class responds with a Petrol making 100kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds.
The Honda Prelude has the clear power advantage at 135kW vs 100kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Honda Prelude is 0.6s 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, 30mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 4,723mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Honda Prelude and 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a 141L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m diameter
Average
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.5 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude and $1,539/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. That is a $313 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 71, but the Honda Prelude is $7,400 cheaper
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 71), taking 1 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 23), practicality (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ahead by 15), fuel economy (Honda Prelude ahead by 10). The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $313 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The Honda Prelude is the cheapest at $59,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by $7,400.
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?
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Honda Prelude, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the largest boot at 405L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Honda Prelude makes the most power at 135kW. 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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