The 2026 Honda Prelude makes its North American debut, with the automaker announcing that the sports coupe will pair Honda’s 2-motor hybrid-electric powertrain with the Civic Type R’s high-performance chassis hardware.
Previously produced over five generations from 1978 to 2001, with cumulative sales topping 820,000 units, the new Prelude is to arrive at Honda dealerships nationwide late this fall.
“We are thrilled to be bringing back such an iconic nameplate to the Honda lineup,” Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales, says in a news release. “The Prelude’s return demonstrates our commitment to exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles and will help to accelerate our hybrid-electric sales in the years ahead.”
The propulsion system used by Honda Civic hybrid-electric models – winner of a 2024 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award – powers the first electrified Prelude and combines two electric motors with a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle direct-injection gasoline engine to yield combined output of 200 hp and 232 lb.-ft. (315 Nm) of torque.
The Prelude’s new Honda S+ Shift system is claimed to deliver a responsive and engaging shifting simulation, featuring virtual rev-matched downshifts in S+ mode and enhanced engine sounds to increase driver feel, Honda says. The automaker plans to offer the S+ Shift system on future hybrid models, as well.
The sports coupe will be available in one trim that includes numerous features as standard equipment, including:
- Honda S+ Shift system
- Leather-trimmed front sport seats with perforated houndstooth pattern, integrated head restraints and three-way heating
- Brembo 4-piston aluminum front calipers (shared with Civic Type R), finished in unique Prelude Blue
- Dual-axis strut front suspension (shared with Civic Type R)
- Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual driving modes
- Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with alloy shift paddles
- 2+2 Seating with 60/40 split fold-down rear seat
- 10.2-in. (26-cm) digital instrument cluster
- 9-in. (23-cm) HD touchscreen with Google built-in
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Wi-Fi Hotspot capability
- Wireless phone charger
- 8-speaker Bose Centerpoint premium sound system
- Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies
Honda will introduce on the 2026 Prelude the first application of its enhanced Honda Agile Handling Assist, which “improves handling and driver confidence through integrated control of the powertrain and braking system in accordance with the driver’'s steering operation,” the automaker says.
The car can be customized with a new line of Honda genuine accessories, including 19-in. machine-finished Berlina Black wheels, a black decklid spoiler, front underbody spoilers, black emblems and door mirror covers.
Hybrid-electric versions of the CR-V, Accord and Civic represent about one-third of Honda sales, and the automaker says it plans to expand hybrid applications to represent over 60% of total auto sales in coming years.
