Honda Prelude vs Nissan Z
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.
Data checked: specs 25 Jun 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.
$59,100est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$76,800RRP
- 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.
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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 Nissan Z opens at $76,800. 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 $84,480 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $9,260 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Honda Prelude. ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Nissan Z. 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
Nissan Z
- REC-006154 · published 31 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the wiring harness behind the front bumper may have been routed incorrectly.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005809 · published 2 Nov 2023Due to a manufacturing issue, the mounting screws on the left-hand side front bumper reinforcement bracket may not have been tightened sufficiently.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Honda Prelude features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Nissan Z gets a 8-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, wireless charging and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan Z. The Nissan Z counters with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats. 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 Nissan Z responds with a Petrol making 298kW and 475Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds.
The Nissan Z has the clear power advantage at 298kW vs 135kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan Z is 3.6s 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, 313mm longer than the Nissan Z at 4,380mm (2,550mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Prelude generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Honda Prelude and 241L in the Nissan Z, giving the Honda Prelude a 23L advantage. The Honda Prelude seats 4 vs 2.
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 $3,078/year for the Nissan Z. That is a $1,852 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan Z). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Z if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Honda Prelude: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 59
The Honda Prelude comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 59), taking 2 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Honda Prelude ahead by 59), performance (Nissan Z ahead by 27), value (Honda Prelude ahead by 19). The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $1,852 a year in fuel. 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 Nissan Z?
The Honda Prelude is the cheapest at $59,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Nissan Z by $17,700.
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?
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Honda Prelude and Nissan Z, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda Prelude has the largest boot at 264L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Z makes the most power at 298kW. The Nissan Z is quickest to 100km/h in 4.6s.
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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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