Nissan Z vs Honda Prelude
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 Nissan Z starts from $76,160 before on-road costs, while the Honda Prelude opens at $61,100. That makes the Honda Prelude the more affordable entry point by $15,060.
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 $83,776 and $67,210 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $9,260 in fuel alone.
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 Nissan Z features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Honda Prelude gets a 9-inch display and 10.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Nissan Z stands out with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats that you will not find on the Honda Prelude. The Honda Prelude counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Nissan Z uses a Petrol producing 298kW and 475Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds.
The Honda Prelude responds with a Inline 4 making 135kW and 315Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Nissan Z has the clear power advantage at 298kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, 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 Nissan Z measures 4,380mm long on a 2,550mm wheelbase, 313mm shorter than the Honda Prelude at 4,693mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Prelude generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 241L in the Nissan Z and 264L in the Honda Prelude, giving the Honda Prelude a 23L advantage. The Honda Prelude seats 4 vs 2.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.8m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m 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 $3,078/year for the Nissan Z and $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude. That is a $1,852 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Estimated annual total: $3,078 (Nissan Z) vs $1,226 (Honda Prelude). The Honda Prelude saves you roughly $1,852 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan Z) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan Z if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Honda Prelude takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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, Nissan Z and Honda Prelude?
The Honda Prelude is the cheapest at $61,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Nissan Z by $15,060.
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 Nissan Z and Honda Prelude carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda Prelude has the largest boot at 264L.
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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