My first drive in the 2026 Honda Prelude hybrid left me wanting more. A lot more.
The new Prelude was one of the year’s most anticipated new cars from the moment Honda announced it would revive the revered name on a new sporty coupe.
Preludes were among Honda’s most innovative and exciting cars in the 1980s and ‘90s. They helped establish the automaker as a brand that out-delivered the competition on efficiency, technology and fun.
The new model, scheduled to go on sale early next year, does none of that.
The first Prelude with hybrid power, it uses the same gasoline-electric powertrain as the Civic hybrid. The Prelude also uses a lightly modified version of the Civic Type R performance model’s suspension.
Prices for the 2026 Prelude are expected to start around $42,000.
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The new Prelude is low and relatively wide. It’s surprisingly easy to get in and out, despite a roof that’s just 53.4 inches off the ground. (Comps: A 2025 Mustang is 55 inches tall, Chevrolet Corvette 48.6, Toyota GR86 51.6.) Thank wide opening doors and a relatively high seating position for that convenience.
Speaking of seats: Don’t expect much from the rear. The Prelude’s a small sport coupe, so only a fool would, but still — some things need to be said. The Prelude’s rear seat is so rudimentary, Honda didn’t even provide a photo of it.
The rear seats in the gleaming Winter Frost Pearl Prelude I drove were folded flat to discourage crazy ideas like using in them.
The cargo space is big and appealing with the seats down. The wide hatchback opening will make it easy to haul, load and unload large objects.
The front bucket seats are supportive and comfortable, sculpted enough to look sporty without being tight. The interior comes in either back or a striking blue and white combination.
Honda widened the front and rear tracks for a planted stance.
A long hood, fastback rear and short overhangs contribute to a sleek profile
Expectations for the reborn Prelude were high, perhaps impossibly so. Still, no one forced Honda to revive the name.
Previous Preludes built their — and Honda’s — reputation by innovating in style, performance and technology. They introduced features like Honda’s four-wheel steering and VTEC dual overhead cam valvetrain.
The 2026 Prelude’s running gear is largely a trip to the parts bin, albeit a fine one. It uses the same powertrain as the Civic hybrid and the Civic Type R’s outstanding suspension. Honda retuned the Type R’s adaptive shocks for the Prelude’s increased track and undoubtedly greater weight.
The Prelude’s 2.0L engine and electric motor develop 200 hp and 232 pound-feet of torque. A direct-drive transmission powers the front wheels.
Based on previous experience, I expect the suspension to deliver good handling on demanding roads and autocross tracks. I expect those to be available in a longer test early in  2026.
My time in the Prelude was limited to 30 minutes in an area that included crowded city streets, some highway and a few miles of rolling country roads.
The Prelude’s acceleration felt adequate.
Honda uses electronics in an effort to generate sounds like those of a sporty high-revving engine and mimic the feel of an eagerly shifted manual transmission.
Neither was persuasive. The engine sounds were muted and remote. The S+ system intended to reproduce the feeling of an expertly used manual transmission was equally mild, delivering small surges and retardations in response to the steering wheel mounted paddles.
It’s too early to say. I expect invigorating handling from its Civic Type R suspension, but the 2026 Prelude still has a lot to prove in terms of overall performance, efficiency and useability.
I expect a longer opportunity to drive one in January. I should know more then.
Front-wheel drive subcompact sporty coupe
Seats four
Estimated base price: $42,000
On sale early 2026
Price as tested: $42,000 (estimate)
Power: 2.0L four-cylinder engine and electric motor
Output: 200 hp; 232 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: Direct drive
EPA estimated fuel economy: NA. Regular gasoline
Wheelbase: 102.6 inches
Length: 178.4
Width: 74 inches
Height: 53.4 inches
Passenger volume: 84.6 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 15.1 cubic feet
Curb weight: TBA
Assembled in Japan
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

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