Compare the2026 Honda PreludeVS 2025 Nissan Z

The Honda Prelude has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Z doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Prelude deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Prelude’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Z’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Prelude has a standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Z doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Prelude has standard Low Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Z doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Prelude and the Z have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

On the EPA test cycle the Prelude gets better mileage than the Z:

Regenerative brakes improve the Prelude’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Z doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Prelude’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Z doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Prelude uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Z requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Prelude has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Z doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Prelude’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

The Prelude’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z Sport’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prelude has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Z Sport.

The Prelude has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Z’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Prelude’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Z (102.6 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Prelude is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the Z.

The Honda Prelude may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Nissan Z.

The Prelude has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z can only carry 2.

The Prelude has 33.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z (84.6 vs. 51.4).

The Prelude has a much larger trunk than the Z (15.1 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

The Prelude has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Z doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Prelude’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Z has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Prelude’s standard Push Button Start and Smart Entry allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Z doesn’t offer a sensor on the trunk.

The Prelude’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Z’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Prelude’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Z Performance/NISMO.

The Prelude’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Z doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Prelude has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Z doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.