Compare the2026 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2026 Honda Prelude

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 2 Series are reminded to check the back seat. The Prelude doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Prelude doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Prelude doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 2 Series offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Prelude only offers a rear monitor.

The 2 Series has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, 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 2 Series and the Prelude have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

The 2 Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Prelude’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 2 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Prelude’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the Prelude (3/36,000 vs. 1/12000).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Prelude isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated lower.

The 230i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (255 vs. 200) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 232) than the Prelude’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 182 more horsepower (382 vs. 200) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 232) than the Prelude’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The 2 Series has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prelude (13.7 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

All wheel drive, available in the 2 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Honda Prelude is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the M240i Coupe xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Prelude:

The 2 Series’ 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.

For better traction, the M240i Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Prelude (F:245/35R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 235/40R19).

The M240i Coupe’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Prelude’s 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Prelude doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 2 Series has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Prelude’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the Prelude (107.9 inches vs. 102.6 inches).

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Prelude doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 2 Series a Compact car, while the Prelude is rated a Subcompact.

The 2 Series has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Prelude (88 vs. 84.6).

The 2 Series has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 5.1 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 6.4 inches more rear hip room than the Prelude.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The Prelude’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

The engine in the 2 Series 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 2 Series offers a 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 2 Series offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Prelude doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 2 Series to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Prelude doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the 2 Series is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Prelude’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 2 Series’ 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 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Prelude doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.