Compare the2026 Toyota GR86VS 2026 Honda Prelude

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GR86 Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Prelude doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The GR86 has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Prelude doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the GR86 and the Prelude have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR86 for 1 year and 13000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the Prelude (2/25000 vs. 1/12000).

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GR86’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GR86 second among s in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Prelude isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 12th.

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

The GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (228 vs. 200) than the Prelude’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the GR86 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Prelude doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The GR86 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prelude (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GR86’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Prelude are solid, not vented.

The GR86 is 10.5 inches shorter than the Prelude, making the GR86 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The engine in the GR86 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Prelude. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The GR86 Auto 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 Prelude doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the GR86 and the Prelude have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GR86 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Prelude prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the GR86’s exterior PIN entry system. The Prelude doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota GR86, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The GR86 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 4 more times in the last 13 years. The Prelude has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.