Arriving in dealerships late this fall, the Prelude will be sold exclusively as a hybrid-electric model. Honda has paired its award-winning two-motor hybrid system with chassis hardware drawn from the Civic Type R, the company’s most performance-focused vehicle. The result, executives say, is a modern grand tourer — a car designed to deliver engaging dynamics for spirited weekend drives without sacrificing comfort for everyday use.
“We are thrilled to be bringing back such an iconic nameplate,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales. “The Prelude’s return demonstrates our commitment to exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles and will help accelerate our hybrid-electric sales in the years ahead.”
A Familiar Name, Reimagined
The Prelude first arrived in the late 1970s and became synonymous with Honda’s reputation for precise handling, innovative technology and accessible performance. Production ceased in 2001, leaving a generation of enthusiasts nostalgic for its blend of style and agility. The 2026 model revives that spirit but does so with a distinctly modern formula.
At its heart is a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system, already in use on the Civic hybrid, has been tuned for this coupe to provide quick acceleration both from a standstill and when exiting corners. Honda has not yet released fuel economy ratings, but it promises competitive figures alongside the car’s performance credentials.
A new feature, dubbed Honda S+ Shift, aims to give the Prelude a more engaging driving feel. The system simulates a performance transmission experience by managing engine rpm, integrating paddle shifters and providing virtual rev-matched downshifts. In S+ mode, drivers also experience enhanced engine sounds designed to heighten the sense of connection between driver and machine.
Drawing From the Civic Type R
Perhaps the most significant engineering decision is Honda’s choice to adapt the high-performance chassis hardware from the Civic Type R. The Prelude features the same dual-axis strut front suspension, wide tracks and Brembo four-piston front brake calipers. The brakes, finished in a Prelude-specific blue, clamp down on 13.8-inch rotors up front, while 12-inch discs handle the rear.
Adaptive dampers — also borrowed from the Civic Type R but uniquely tuned for this application — allow the car to switch between four drive modes: Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual. These modes adjust throttle response, steering weight, suspension damping, engine sound and even the digital gauge cluster’s layout.
High-performance summer tires will be available, though all models will ride on 19-inch machine-finished Berlina Black wheels wrapped in 235/40R19 rubber. The wheelbase measures 102.6 inches, and the coupe spans 178.4 inches from bumper to bumper — proportions that give it a low, wide stance.
A Design That Balances Sophistication and Sport
Visually, the Prelude combines a sleek, understated profile with aerodynamic detailing meant to enhance stability at speed. A low nose, pronounced fenders and a subtle “double-bubble” roofline give the coupe a muscular presence. The taillights stretch across the rear, emphasizing the car’s width, while blue accents at the front and rear fascias hint at its electrified nature.
Honda will offer the Prelude in five colors, including a new Winter Frost Pearl, with a choice of a body-colored or black roof. Other hues include Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Rally Red and Boost Blue Pearl. For buyers seeking further customization, Honda Genuine Accessories will include a black decklid spoiler, front underbody spoilers, black emblems and alternative 19-inch wheels.
Inside: A Driver’s Cockpit With Grand Touring Comfort
The cabin reflects Honda’s recent design philosophy of simplicity, visibility and smart technology integration. A low dashboard and thin A-pillars provide a commanding forward view, while the sport seats — trimmed in leather with a perforated houndstooth pattern — offer asymmetrical bolstering. The driver’s seat provides firmer lower thigh support for spirited driving, while the passenger seat offers a more relaxed profile for long-distance comfort.
Buyers will choose between two interior color themes: a two-tone blue and white combination or a classic black, both accented with blue stitching to match exterior highlights. A flat-bottom steering wheel with alloy shift paddles, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch HD touchscreen with Google built-in come standard. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charger and a Bose Centerpoint premium audio system round out the technology suite.
The Prelude retains its grand touring credentials with a 2+2 seating layout and 32 inches of rear legroom — modest but usable for short trips. The liftback hatch and 60/40 split-folding rear seats create a flexible cargo area capable of holding golf bags or luggage for weekend getaways.
Safety and Technology
Every Prelude will come equipped with Honda Sensing, the company’s suite of driver-assistance features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition and a post-collision braking system designed to reduce secondary impacts. Front knee airbags and rear side airbags are also standard.
Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure and next-generation airbag technology, designed to cradle the head during a collision, further underline the car’s safety credentials.
Positioning the Prelude in Honda’s Lineup
The revival of the Prelude comes as Honda continues to electrify its North American lineup. Hybrid models already account for roughly one-third of the brand’s U.S. sales, led by the CR-V, Accord and Civic hybrids. The company expects hybrids to make up more than 60 percent of its sales in the coming years, with the Prelude joining that push as a niche offering for driving enthusiasts.
Honda has framed the Prelude’s return as symbolic: in the 1970s, the Civic, Accord and Prelude represented the core of its passenger car lineup. Today, all three nameplates are again set to coexist — this time as hybrid-electric vehicles.
A Niche, but Important, Signal
While sports coupes represent a shrinking segment in a market dominated by SUVs and trucks, the Prelude gives Honda a halo product that underscores its commitment to fun-to-drive cars even in an era of electrification. With a starting price yet to be announced and only one well-equipped trim planned, the Prelude is unlikely to be a volume seller. But it offers a statement: hybrid technology can be about more than efficiency — it can be about engagement.
For enthusiasts who remember the sharp steering of the fourth-generation Prelude or the sleek lines of the fifth, the 2026 model may feel both familiar and new. And for younger buyers encountering the nameplate for the first time, Honda hopes it represents something increasingly rare: a stylish, attainable coupe that makes daily commutes just a bit more engaging