2026 Honda Prelude Interior Looks Sporty and Serene
Honda just revealed the interior of the incoming Prelude coupe, offering a first official look at the cabin's design ahead of its expected market launch later this year. The hybrid two-door is set to arrive in Japan, Europe, and North America and appears to borrow heavily from other models in the Honda portfolio.
Key Points
- Cabin design based on the Civic and Integra.
- Prelude uses push-button drive selectors and includes a dedicated "S+ Shift" mode
- A 2+2 layout is confirmed, with limited rear headroom but a folding rear bench and hatchback-style cargo access for added practicality.
- The Prelude is expected to reach North America in late 2025, with a European launch to follow in early 2026.
Though the Prelude is built on an updated version of the Civic’s platform, its interior design features several subtle differences.
The overall layout resembles the Civic and Acura Integra, including the use of a digital instrument cluster, floating infotainment screen, and similar switchgear, but the dashboard has been restyled for a cleaner look. The center console sits higher than in the Civic, trading the traditional gear lever for a streamlined drive mode selector.
Prominently placed in the center is a new “S+ Shift” button that simulates gear changes through software. Honda says it enhances the driving experience by altering the torque map and synthesizing engine sounds.
The front sport seats get integrated headrests—interestingly, the driver and front passenger seats are not identical. The driver’s seat is designed with extra lateral support, while the passenger’s seat uses softer cushioning for comfort.
The rear seats are basically for children only, though the hatchback-style rear opening adds some cargo versatility.
The prototype’s interior is finished in a white and navy color scheme, with the front seats upholstered in a retro-inspired houndstooth fabric with leather trim. The rear bench is trimmed entirely in black, likely for practical reasons.
Honda has made structural changes to the Prelude to differentiate it from the Civic platform. These include a shorter wheelbase, wider track widths, reduced weight, and improved chassis rigidity. Steering and suspension have also been retuned to reflect the coupe’s more dynamic positioning. Reports from Japan indicate that Honda has ported over some content from the Civic Type R, including adaptive dampers and the dual-axis front suspension system.
Under the hood, the Prelude uses a hybrid powertrain featuring a newly developed 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with dual electric motors. The system sends power to the front wheels and mimics traditional gear shifts through software alone, without a mechanical transmission.
The near-production version of the Prelude made a recent public appearance at the Red Bull Showrun event in Tokyo, where it was driven alongside other Honda concept vehicles by Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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