📝 usncan Note: The Honda Prelude Rises Again, This Time As A Hybrid
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2026 Honda Prelude in Boost Blue Pearl
Honda
It’s Back! The Honda Prelude Finally Reemerges
Prelude fans have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Honda’s sports coupe, and the day is finally here. Built with Civic Type R chassis components, the 2026 Honda Prelude is powered by the same two-motor hybrid-electric system found in the Civic hybrid models. Powered by a 2.0-liter engine, the system generates a respectable 200 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque. As a result, the new Prelude promises a blend of fuel-sipping efficiency and fun-to-drive dynamics.
Honda invested more than $1 billion to transform its Ohio manufacturing plants, betting on a flexible mix of hybrid, gas, and all-electric powertrains on the same line. As the market’s demand for EVs experiences a plateau, Honda is poised to adapt to what its customers want. And its U.S.-based factories help mitigate the affects of the recent up-and-down tariff roller coaster ride.
The Honda Prelude Heritage
First released in Japan, the Honda Prelude was produced for five generations from 1978 to 2001. The popularity of the sports coupe segment steadily declined, and the brand shelved the Prelude for more than two decades.
The new 2026 Honda Prelude arrives in dealerships this fall.
Honda
Billed as a fun, affordable car, the Prelude collected numerous accolades; even Car and Driver named the Prelude Type SH the best-handling car priced under $30,000 in 1997. Collectors who own a mint-condition Prelude from its heyday are finding the car is having a moment as kids who grew up seeing the Prelude on the streets are now old enough to afford one.
In its last year of production, the 2001 Prelude was built with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with the buyer’s choice of a manual (200 horsepower) or automatic transmission (195 horsepower). The Type SH, this model’s top performance trim, was only offered as a manual.
One Trim With Lots Of Amenities
The Prelude is offered in just one trim, and it’s decked out. Every Prelude will include leather-trimmed sport seats up front, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles, sport pedals, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, wireless charging pad, and an 8-speaker Bose audio system.
Inside the new Honda Prelude
Honda
Brembo provides the stopping power with the same four-piston aluminum front calipers as are in the Civic Type R, except the Prelude’s calipers are painted a unique shade of blue. For the ride, the Prelude also shares its front suspension and adaptive dampers with the Type R. The driver may choose between Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual driving modes on the fly.
Buyers who want to set their sports coupe apart from the rest can order factory accessories like blacked-out emblems, 19-inch Berlina Black wheels, a black decklid spoiler, front underbody spoilers, and door mirror covers.
2026 Honda Prelude in Winter Frost Pearl
ANDREW TRAHAN/HONDA
The brand didn’t skimp out on the safety features; its Honda Sensing suite is included on every Prelude. This collection includes a collision mitigation braking system with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, driver attention monitor, rear cross traffic monitor, blind spot information system, auto high-beam headlights, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition system, adaptive cruise control lane keeping assist system, and post-collision braking system.
Available in five colors–Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Rally Red, Boost Blue Pearl, and Winter Frost Pearl–the all-new 2026 Honda Prelude will arrive at U.S. dealerships this fall, with the price yet to be revealed.
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