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Honda Prelude vs. Ford Mustang vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Subaru BRZ: Which $40K coupe is best?

The reborn 2026 Honda Prelude recently visited the Edmunds test track; we called it a "misunderstood but charming grand tourer." With its $43,650 starting price, the Prelude competes with a number of other sporty two-doors. So we brought it to our track once again, alongside the Ford Mustang, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ. If you're in the market for a sporty two-door, there are some truly great options.

Subaru BRZ tS: The best driver's car...Around our track, the Subaru's handling chops really shine. The way the nose dives down into a corner is intoxicating; the BRZ has the quickest-feeling steering, and the car's balance is so good that you can really fling it into corners and come out the other side pointed in the right direction. The suspension is certainly on the wrong side of stiff for everyday driving, but the trade-off is that you're getting a bona fide sports car.

The BRZ — or its cousin, the Toyota GR86 — is the best choice if you want a pure driver's car. And you can even fit a full set of track-specific wheels and tires inside.

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF: The weekend warrior...There's a subtle softness to the way the Miata handles, and that's on purpose: You can really feel everything the Miata is doing on the road. Being able to feel the car's weight transfer gives you a better idea of the exact moment to turn the car in to keep your momentum. That's a must with that naturally aspirated four-cylinder under the hood — you've really got to keep it on the power to make the most of its modest output.

Just like the BRZ, the Miata has fantastic steering. It's direct with plenty of feedback whether you're on center or moving through a turn. This test car is also equipped with a killer six-speed manual transmission; it has a notchiness to the way it moves through the gears that really adds to the experience. The BRZ might be the best track-day weapon, but the Miata will be more fun on mountain or coastal roads — especially with the top down.

Honda Prelude: The daily driver...If we had to pick one car to be our primary mode of transportation, it'd be the Prelude. It's more practical than the Mazda and Subaru and comes with a huge bonus: 44 mpg combined. It also has the best interior of this quartet by far, with excellent seats and premium materials. 

Yes, the Prelude's straight-line speed is a disappointment. But just like the BRZ and Miata, this is more of a momentum car, and once you get going, the fun is in maintaining that speed. On our track, the Prelude had excellent stability and steering feel. We were surprised to see the Prelude put up the best skidpad number of the group too, a nod to its handling prowess.

The Prelude's S+ drive mode with its simulated gear shifts could have been gimmicky since there isn't a real transmission. But it actually enhances the driving experience. The Prelude's 0-to-60-mph time does drop by a full second when S+ is turned on, but it's a ton of fun to use on a winding road.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost: Quicker than the rest...The Mustang is the most powerful car here, and it posted a 0-to-60-mph time around a second quicker than both the Mazda and the Subaru and 2 seconds ahead of the Prelude. The Mustang's turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers its power well, with much of its torque coming on lower in the rev range. This means that, unlike the BRZ and Miata, you don't really have to wring it out to get going quickly.

Aside from that, however, there isn't much we like about the Mustang. Or should I say, this Mustang. Ford no longer offers the performance package on Mustangs with the turbocharged engine, so you don't have access to the suspension, braking and tire upgrades that you once did. As a result, the Ford's handling, braking and agility are a clear step behind the others in this group. There's a lot of body roll while cornering and significant understeer entering a turn, where you really feel the weight of the car on the front tires, the nose pushing out wide as a result.

Of course, Ford will soon launch the Mustang RTR, which pairs some handling hardware from the V8-powered Dark Horse with the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. That version might give these other coupes a better run for their money.

2026 Honda Prelude: The "everyday car." According to Edmunds, it's the most practical and efficient of the group, with a premium interior and superior materials. Although it's the slowest in a straight line, it offers excellent stability and an S+ mode that simulates gear changes for greater engagement.

2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost: The "speed king." It's the most powerful and fastest, reaching 0-60 mph about 2 seconds faster than the Prelude. However, Edmunds critics note that, without performance packages, it exhibits greater body roll and understeer compared to lighter rivals.

2026 Subaru BRZ tS: The "track machine." Considered the best car for pure driving enthusiasts, with the most direct steering and superior balance in corners. The suspension is stiff, which sacrifices everyday comfort in exchange for maximum precision.

2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The "weekend warrior." It is the lightest and offers the most connected driving experience, allowing you to feel every weight transfer. It is ideal for winding roads, especially in the convertible version, but has the smallest interior and trunk space.

Price and value considerations...As reported by Car and Driver and TrueCar, the Honda Prelude enters the market with a premium price (approx. $43,195), being significantly more expensive than the Subaru BRZ (approx. $33,395) and the Mazda MX-5 (approx. $31,665). The Mustang offers the best cost-benefit ratio in terms of "power per dollar".

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