Subaru BRZ 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.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 8 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker 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.
$49,190RRP
- no option data for this car
$59,100est. RRP
- 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 Subaru BRZ starts from $49,190 before on-road costs, while the Honda Prelude opens at $59,100 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). 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 $54,109 and $65,010 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Prelude by roughly $7,410 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.
Recalls 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
Honda Prelude
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru BRZ features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-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 Subaru BRZ stands out with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Honda Prelude. The Honda Prelude counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, Bose audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Subaru BRZ gets ultrasuede and leather accented upholstery while the Honda Prelude offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Subaru BRZ uses a Petrol producing 174kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.3 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 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 Subaru BRZ measures 4,265mm long on a 2,575mm wheelbase, 428mm 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 201L in the Subaru BRZ and 264L in the Honda Prelude, 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 10.8m 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 $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ and $1,226/year for the Honda Prelude. That is a $1,482 annual difference in favour of the Honda Prelude.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru BRZ) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Prelude). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru BRZ if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Honda Prelude if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda'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, Subaru BRZ and Honda Prelude?
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?
None of Subaru BRZ and Honda Prelude carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
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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