Compare the2026 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2026 Honda Prelude

Both the MX-5 Miata and the Prelude 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 12th.

The MX-5 Miata has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prelude (11.9 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The MX-5 Miata has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Prelude’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The MX-5 Miata’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Prelude’s (63% to 37%). This gives the MX-5 Miata more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 7.2 feet tighter than the Prelude’s (30.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 900 pounds less than the Honda Prelude.

The MX-5 Miata is 2 feet shorter than the Prelude, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata is 5.7 inches narrower than the Prelude, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The MX-5 Miata's optional power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Prelude doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

A standard locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the MX-5 Miata. The Prelude doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the MX-5 Miata 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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Prelude doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The MX-5 Miata Grand Touring’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Prelude has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Compared to the Honda Prelude, the Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

The MX-5 Miata is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Prelude, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the MX-5 Miata offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Prelude.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the MX-5 Miata equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Prelude, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Mazda MX-5 Miata empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda MX-5 Miata, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata outsold the Honda Prelude by almost 43 to one during 2025.