Honda Prelude vs Subaru BRZ
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Honda Prelude starts from $61,100 before on-road costs, while the Subaru BRZ opens at $49,190. That makes the Subaru BRZ the more affordable entry point by $11,910.
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 $54,109 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $7,410 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Honda Prelude holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Subaru BRZ.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Honda Prelude packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the Subaru BRZ.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Honda Prelude and 6 in the Subaru BRZ.
Feature Showdown
The Honda Prelude features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Subaru BRZ gets a 8-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, wireless charging, Bose audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Subaru BRZ. The Subaru BRZ 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 Subaru BRZ responds with a Petrol making 174kW and 250Nm, paired to a manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ has the clear power advantage at 174kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the Subaru BRZ is 1.9s 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, 428mm longer than the Subaru BRZ at 4,265mm (2,575mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Prelude generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 281L in the Honda Prelude and 201L in the Subaru BRZ, giving the Honda Prelude a 80L advantage.
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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude and $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ. That is a $1,482 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Estimated annual total: $1,226 (Honda Prelude) vs $2,708 (Subaru BRZ). The Honda Prelude saves you roughly $1,482 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 (Subaru BRZ). 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 Subaru BRZ if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Honda Prelude and Subaru BRZ trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Honda Prelude will save you roughly $1,482 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Honda Prelude 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 Subaru BRZ?
The Subaru BRZ is the cheapest at $49,190 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Prelude by $11,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Prelude uses the least fuel at 4.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Honda Prelude has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda Prelude has the largest boot at 281L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru BRZ makes the most power at 174kW. The Subaru BRZ is quickest to 100km/h in 6.3s.
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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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