2026 Honda Prelude is a Pretty Hybrid Coupe in a Class of One

The Prelude is back after 25 years, and it now exists as a hybrid—in more ways than one.

Honda today officially revealed the 2026 Prelude, the return of a storied nameplate that has been gone longer than it previously existed. Still a coupe as before, the pretty new model is a hybrid in a few ways: it draws power from an electrified setup, and it mixes bits and pieces from other models in the Honda family. Not a simple parts-bin special, the ’26 Prelude also introduces new features for any Honda model.

Let’s start with the looks, because the Prelude is a good-looking little coupe. Very little has changed from the 2023 concept—typical of Honda—keeping the graceful roofline and low nose. There isn’t much visual DNA between this and the last Prelude, which ended production in 2001. Instead, we see nods to many other Honda models new and old here: the shoulder of the mid-aughts Honda Accord coupe, the greenhouse shape of the last Civic coupe, and a full-width rear light bar as a modern-day rethink of the classic ‘80s Honda look. There’s more than a hint of Toyota Prius to the narrow-grille nose, but beyond that, the Prelude stands apart in the coupe segment.

Dimensionally, the new model is almost exactly the same length (178.4 inches / 4,531 millimeters) as the last Prelude, with a similar wheelbase (102.6 in / 2,605 mm). Like most modern cars, it is much wider at 74 in (1,880 mm), and taller (53.4 in / 1,356 mm). That slightly double-bubbled roof sits two inches lower than you’ll find on a Civic sedan, however. Big, 19-inch alloy wheels come wrapped in 235/40R rubber. Let’s not forget the classic Prelude script on the middle of the tail—which serves up a big contrast to Honda’s new title case name badge. The Prelude will come in five colors: Boost Blue Pearl, Rally Red, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteorite Gray Metallic, and new Winter Frost Pearl. The latter is available with a contrasting black roof as well.

When the Prelude left our shores, it made up to 200 horsepower via a “big block” 2.2-liter inline-four, when paired with a manual transmission. The new model adopts the excellent Civic Hybrid’s powertrain, pairing a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-pot with two electric motors to make… yep, 200 horsepower. A peak of 232 pound-feet of torque is significantly more than any past Prelude mind you. While this model is almost certainly heavier than the 2001 model, we won’t know by how much until closer to launch, as Honda hasn’t released curb weight figures.

While Honda has paired hybrids with manual transmissions before, the ’26 Prelude sticks to the unique setup found in other modern Honda hybrids. There is no transmission in the traditional sense, as the traction motor sends power directly to the front wheels. Nonetheless, the Prelude will debut a new Honda S+ Shift feature, which Honda says emulates the feel of a performance transmission. In the company’s own words, “By precisely managing engine RPM and integrating paddle shifters, Honda S+ Shift delivers quick simulated gearshift responses through seamless coordination between the engine and high-power motor, including downshift blips, rev matching and gear holding.” We’re very curious to try it, especially as S+ Shift will migrate to other hybrid models.

“Hybrid” is the best way to describe the rest of the chassis setup too, as the Prelude plucks numerous pieces from the Civic Type R for their first pairing with this hybrid powertrain. This includes the trick dual-axis strut front suspension and standard adaptive dampers, all of which have been tuned specifically for Prelude duty. Honda is targeting a grand touring experience, and that surfaces in the new GT selectable drive mode, joining Comfort, Sport, and Individual. These settings adjust the typical parameters like steering weighting, throttle response, and suspension tuning, while also tweaking adaptive cruise control. Interesting…

Braking is also Type R spec, with 13.8-inch front rotors clamped by four-piston Brembo calipers. 12.0-inch rotors sit out back. The calipers are finished in the same blue hue found on the exterior bumper details.

The Prelude cabin looks appropriately high-end against the Civic—and in ways, even the Integra. New seats feature soft-touch leather and an asymmetrical design; the driver seat is literally built different from the passenger’s. A perforated houndstooth pattern and blue contrast stitching add visual interest. While a typical black interior is available, we’re swooning over the white and blue option, complete with the “cloud-like” texture along the dashboard and the embroidered Prelude logo. The Civic cabin is already one of our favorites in the compact realm, and the Prelude artfully upgrades it. The rear seats are of the 60/40 folding variety, and offer 32.0 inches (813 mm) of legroom. A narrow hatch offers access to the cargo area.

The tech suite in the Prelude is pretty standard modern Honda: a 9.0-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster are straight out of the Civic, and should prove similar to use. A wireless charger and Google Built-In are both standard as well. A new, eight-speaker Bose Centerpoint sound system comes on every ’26 Prelude. The Honda Sensing safety suite is present as well, including auto high beams, full-range adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Asisst, collision avoidance braking with pedestrian detection, and more.

Honda won’t talk pricing quite yet, but we suspect the Prelude will arrive just slightly above the 2026 Integra on account of its generous standard kit. The Integra starts from $34,595, while the enthusiast-focused six-speed manual kicks off at $40,395.

As for availability, Honda has confirmed the Prelude will arrive in dealerships “this late fall.”

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