Compare the2026 Honda PreludeVS 2026 Dodge Charger

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 Charger’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 Charger 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.

Both the Prelude and the Charger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Prelude gets better fuel mileage than the Charger Scat Pack 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder running its gasoline engine (46 city/41 hwy vs. 16 city/23 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Prelude uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Charger Scat Pack 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 Charger doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Prelude’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Charger Six Pack’s (38 feet vs. 40 feet). The Prelude’s turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the Charger Daytona’s (38 feet vs. 41.5 feet).

The Honda Prelude may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1550 to 2550 pounds less than the Dodge Charger.

The Prelude is 2 feet, 4.2 inches shorter than the Charger, making the Prelude easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Prelude is 5.8 inches narrower than the Charger, making the Prelude easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Prelude uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Charger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 24% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 26th.

On a hot day the Prelude’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Charger can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Charger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Charger.