introduce
Honda Prelude finally returns this year after a 25-year absence from the market. Like previous models, the 2026 Honda Prelude is a dynamic coupe. Today, it has been fully upgraded with an efficient hybrid powertrain and all the latest technology features. It may be risky to launch a coupe in a market dominated by SUVs, but with its sharp exterior design and an annual quota of only 4,000 units in the United States, I believe this model will still have strong demand among consumers who pursue a stylish, dynamic and fun-to-drive coupe.
The Prelude remains compact by today's standards, although it's 5 inches wider and about 2 inches taller than its predecessor. It also uses the same unique hybrid system as the current Honda Civic, with power output slightly higher than the previous model, while fuel economy has also been significantly improved. Its interior is also top-notch among coupes in its class, marking a huge leap forward in Prelude's design philosophy.
For the first time in its history, the Prelude features a fastback roof design. The model, due in 2026, will be available in just one trim level, with a handful of optional extras. Pricing starts at $43,195, which seems expensive compared to its predecessor. However, when accounting for inflation, the price is actually pretty good.
Which car did our independent experts drive in this Honda Prelude review?
For this 2026 Prelude review, Honda provided a test vehicle equipped with the following options:
summer
introduce
Honda Prelude finally returns this year after a 25-year absence from the market. Like previous models, the 2026 Honda Prelude is a dynamic coupe. Today, it has been fully upgraded with an efficient hybrid powertrain and all the latest technology features. It may be risky to launch a coupe in a market dominated by SUVs, but with its sharp exterior design and an annual quota of only 4,000 units in the United States, I believe this model will still have strong demand among consumers who pursue a stylish, dynamic and fun-to-drive coupe.
The Prelude remains compact by today's standards, although it's 5 inches wider and about 2 inches taller than its predecessor. It also uses the same unique hybrid system as the current Honda Civic, with power output slightly higher than the previous model, while fuel economy has also been significantly improved. Its interior is also top-notch among coupes in its class, marking a huge leap forward in Prelude's design philosophy.
For the first time in its history, the Prelude features a fastback roof design. The model, due in 2026, will be available in just one trim level, with a handful of optional extras. Pricing starts at $43,195, which seems expensive compared to its predecessor. However, when accounting for inflation, the price is actually pretty good.
Which car did our independent experts drive in this Honda Prelude review?
For this 2026 Prelude review, Honda provided a test vehicle equipped with the following options:
summer performance tires
Bright blue exterior paint
The test vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $43,650, which includes $1,195 in freight to ship the coupe from the factory in Japan to your local dealer. This price does not reflect any discounts, offers or price adjustments offered by Honda since production of the test vehicle.
Independent expert opinion: design, comfort and practicality
The smooth body lines of the 2026 Prelude make it the sportiest model in the family. The side skirt extensions create the visual effect of a low-slung sports car, while the absence of aerodynamic kit makes the body lines appear tighter and smoother. The headlight design reminds me of the current Toyota Prius, but that's not in a derogatory way. I think they are both beautiful and may have been influenced by the old Ferrari SF90.
The smooth body lines of the Prelude are further refined by hidden door handles and graceful grooves running through the bottom of the doors. At the rear of the car, the eye-catching taillights run across the rear of the car, with the raised Honda wording and the Prelude wording below, which is reminiscent of the Porsche Taycan, which is undoubtedly a compliment. The overall design complements each other and attracts the attention of many young and experienced drivers.
Taller drivers will need to duck to avoid the low roof, but once inside, they'll find one of the most beautiful and well-finished interiors in Honda history. Drivers who are six feet tall (about 1.83 meters) will have ample head and leg room, and the comfortable and stylish seats provide good support. Faux-suede trim adds a sporty and premium feel, an effect further enhanced by the two-tone interior. The cockpit layout is clean and simple, and if it weren't for the Honda badge, it could easily be mistaken for an Acura.
Mesh air vents are part of Honda's current interior design philosophy, and the steering wheel also looks very similar to other Honda models. Look closely and you'll notice it adds a touch of sportiness. The steering wheel rim is thickened for a better grip, and the small suede mark at 12 o'clock pays tribute to sports cars and racing cars.
The rear seats are noticeably less comfortable, and the space is so small that petite passengers can hardly fit in them. The material of the rear row is also relatively cheap, just ordinary black cloth seats, and a large amount of hard plastic is used. I'm 1.78 meters tall and it took a lot of effort to squeeze into the trunk. Only then did I realize that these seats are probably only suitable for occasional short-distance rides. If this car were mine, I would probably fold the back seats down to better load cargo.
Trunk volume is up to 15.1 cubic feet. However, this extra space may not be used at all. The hatchback design can accommodate larger items when needed. While it requires a bit of lifting to move things over the bumper, the foldable dividers and hooks should keep items from rattling around inside the car.
For small personal items, the Prelude's storage space is acceptable, but a little limited. The wireless smartphone charging pad can easily accommodate an iPhone Pro Max with a protective case, and the cup holder behind the center console is larger than average. The center armrest box and door storage compartments are on the small side.
Independent expert opinion: Honda Prelude infotainment system review
Honda Prelude's infotainment system runs on Google's built-in platform and integrates a wealth of information from your Google account, including maps and destinations. It also benefits from enhanced voice control capabilities, which can be activated by simply saying "Hey, Google." However, it will take a few seconds for the system to process. A 10.2-inch touch screen and a 9-inch digital instrument panel are standard above the center console.
Prelude itself comes with a wealth of standard features, such as: Therefore, it has no other technology-related optional features.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring
Wireless smartphone charger
HondaLink connectivity service provides access to Wi-Fi hotspots
An eight-speaker Bose sound system
For such a compact cockpit, the infotainment system's touchscreen is just the right size and within easy reach of the driver. In comparison, the size of the dashboard seems a bit small for the space it takes up. I'm more used to displays taking up the entire space, but this dashboard provides all the necessary information at a glance. The system itself works well, with clear images and quick responses.
The Bose sound system easily fills the small cabin with powerful bass and clear highs, and that's even with wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. A wired connection may improve sound quality further. My only gripe is with the wireless charging pad, which requires careful placement of the phone to establish a connection. Additionally, it's not very slip-resistant, meaning the phone tends to slide on curved surfaces.
On the bright side, I'm glad that the Prelude retains physical knobs and buttons to control the air conditioning. I prefer these traditional controls to the infotainment system's touchscreen controls because they're more intuitive and allow me to adjust the temperature without taking my eyes off the road.
Independent Expert Opinion: Driving the 2026 Honda Prelude
The 2026 Honda Prelude is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, with a combined output of 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. Its power and specifications are the same as the Honda Civic Hybrid, while its multi-mode operating modes set it apart from other hybrids. The gasoline engine can either act as a generator to charge the battery or power the front wheels via a fixed-ratio clutch.
The Prelude is tuned to provide a more fun-to-drive experience than the Civic, which explains why it gets an EPA-rated 44 mpg combined (the Civic tops out at 49 mpg combined). Due to my more aggressive driving style, I only achieved 39 mpg over the limited distance traveled, but I believe I can achieve or even exceed this estimate if I drive properly.
If driven conservatively, the Prelude behaves much like a typical hybrid. The electric motor is responsible for acceleration from a start, and the gasoline engine kicks in if more power is needed. On the highway, the engine will run all the time because that's when the engine is most fuel efficient.
Prelude introduces the S+ Shift system, which simulates an eight-speed automatic transmission and significantly enhances the sporty feel of driving. Users can also perform manual operation through the shift paddles on the steering wheel. In normal mode, the system regulates the amount of braking energy recuperated, similar to an electric car; but in the most aggressive mode, the vehicle does not come to a complete stop.
On L.A.'s winding Sepulveda Pass, the Prelude delivered just enough sportiness to make me completely forget about the complexities of its powertrain. There's more than enough power for its size and weight, and the Civic Type R-derived suspension gave me total confidence in corners.
Thankfully, Honda tuned the adaptive dampers with a greater emphasis on comfort, and the increased flexibility helps the Prelude better absorb bumps and potholes. On some of the highways and streets in suburban Oceanside, California, the Prelude's ride was comfortable enough for long trips. Switching between Comfort and Sport modes doesn't significantly change the ride quality, but the sharper throttle response and louder simulated grunt clearly alter the vehicle's character.
As far as the driving experience goes, I have few complaints, other than the less-intuitive shift button and the occasional overly sensitive safety feature warning. Otherwise, I think the new Prelude is a pleasant and logical successor. It's sporty enough to get your heart racing without sacrificing comfort and sophistication.
Independent Expert Opinion: Honda Sensing Safety Super Sensing System Review
The 2026 Prelude is equipped with Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Its comprehensive features are comparable to other modern models in the same price range, including:
forward collision warning
automatic emergency braking
lane departure warning
lane keeping assist
Lane centering assist
adaptive cruise control
blind spot warning
rear cross traffic warning
Highway driving assistance; front and rear parking sensors
During my time driving the Prelude, there were only a few false alarms from the forward-collision warning system on narrow, curvy roads, and one false alarm from the lane-departure warning system when I drove toward a lane line but didn't cross it (not even close to it, in my opinion). Other than that, everything else functions normally.
As of press time, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released crash test results for the 2026 Honda Prelude.
Independent expert opinion on the 2026 Honda Prelude
It wasn’t until I drove a replica of the Honda Prelude that I realized how much I missed it. The new generation model retains the original sports spirit while incorporating the latest technological achievements. It's great inside and out, with the perfect balance of performance and comfort.
