The Honda Prelude concept made its debut at the 2023 LA Auto Show, bringing back a storied nameplate worn by a compact sports car produced from 1978 to 2001. Now, two years after its introduction, the production model has finally been revealed. Ostensibly, it fills a hole in the Honda lineup left by the Civic and Accord coupes, and Honda is positioning the new Prelude as less of a sports car and more of a Grand Tourer this time around. For its first model year, the 2026 Honda Prelude comes in a single well-equipped trim. Though there's nothing quite like the Prelude, we expect it to be cross-shopped with the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, Ford Mustang EcoBoost, and the Mazda MX-5 RF.
2026 Honda Prelude Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Honda Prelude
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Honda Prelude
The 2026 Honda Prelude is technically a sixth-generation vehicle, but other than coupe styling and fun-to-drive dynamics, it shares little with its original namesake. In fact, this all-new vehicle from Honda will introduce a couple of innovations for the brand. First, the new Prelude is the first vehicle in the Honda lineup to marry its two-motor hybrid powertrain with Civic Type R chassis components. Second, the Prelude debuts the “Honda S+ Shift,” a new drive mode that features virtual rev-matched downshifts and enhanced engine sounds.
Design
The exterior design of the 2026 Honda Prelude hasn’t changed significantly from its concept days. It has a wide stance, flush door handles, and a fastback profile that reminds us of the Nissan Z. It also features a large front under-spoiler, “double-bubble” roof, and flared fenders. It will come standard with 19-inch machine-finished Berlina Black wheels and Brembo four-piston aluminum front calipers finished in Prelude Blue. Though we don’t have much information at the time of this writing on appearance packages, we do know there will be a black roof option. Additionally, Prelude can be customized with a new line of Honda Genuine Accessories that will include a black decklid spoiler, front underbody spoilers, black emblems, and black mirror caps.
Powertrain
The 2026 Honda Prelude shares the same powertrain with the Civic Hybrid. It combines two large electric motors with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle direct injection engine. Total system output will be 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. Both the Prelude and Civic Hybrid have a direct-drive propulsion system, which delivers power similarly to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but operates with some fundamental differences; the most noteworthy is that the drivetrain relies on a traction motor to deliver initial power to the wheels. However, what will help set the Prelude apart from other two-motor Honda hybrids is the Honda S+ Shift system, which will provide a responsive shift simulation. Like the original Prelude, this sixth-generation model will also be front-wheel drive (FWD). The Prelude averages 46 mpg city, 41 highway, and 44 combined, which Honda says makes it the most fuel-efficient two-door coupe on the market.
Interior
Honda is calling the 2026 Prelude a 2+2 model, which means it can seat up to four people, though the back seat, particularly head room, will be tight for anyone taller than a child. Rather than a traditional trunk, the Prelude has a liftback design, and that, along with the 60/40 split fold-down rear, will help optimize cargo space in this compact car. As a well-equipped single-trim model, Prelude gets standard heated, leather front sport seats. It is also the first Honda to feature asymmetrical bolstering with more firm, supportive padding for the driver and wider, softer padding for the passenger.
Technology
As the newest vehicle in Honda’s lineup, the 2026 Prelude gets all the best tech available from the brand. This includes a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, and Google built-in. All this comes with a complimentary three-year unlimited data plan. The standard audio system is an eight-speaker Bose Centerpoint system that was jointly engineered by Honda and Bose.
Safety
With a global safety slogan like “Safety for Everyone,” you know Honda is going to pack the 2026 Prelude with plenty of safety features. Honda Sensing is standard, and it includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Prelude will also benefit from the latest version of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering front body structure as well as next-generation airbag technology, which includes front knee airbags.
Pricing and Release Date
The first 2026 Preludes arrive at US dealers on November 18th of 2025. Honda has just announced that pricing will start at $42,000, or $43,195 after destination.
