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.
Data checked: specs 29 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.
$59,100est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$49,190RRP
- 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 Subaru BRZ opens at $49,190. 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 $54,109 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $7,410 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Honda Prelude. We hold no ANCAP data for the Subaru BRZ. 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
Subaru BRZ
- REC-005776 · published 13 Sep 2023Due to a potential design concern with the rear tail lights control circuit, the turn and hazard indicators lamps may not illuminate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
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 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 — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru BRZ. The Subaru BRZ counters with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Honda Prelude gets leather upholstery while the Subaru BRZ offers ultrasuede and leather accented.
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 6-speed 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 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), 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 264L in the Honda Prelude and 201L in the Subaru BRZ, giving the Honda Prelude a 63L 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
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 $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ. That is a $1,482 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru BRZ). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru BRZ).
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 prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Honda Prelude: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 62, but the Subaru BRZ is $9,910 cheaper
The Honda Prelude comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 62), taking 2 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Honda Prelude ahead by 47), performance (Subaru BRZ ahead by 10), value (Honda Prelude ahead by 7). 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 $9,910.
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 we hold no ANCAP data for Subaru BRZ, 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 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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