Honda Prelude — Specs, Trims, Prices & Owner Reviews
The Honda Prelude is a front-engine, front-drive sport compact that Honda built over five generations between 1978 and 2001 and revived in 2025 after a 24-year absence. The original car was a two-door notchback loosely derived from the Accord and was the first Honda offered with a moonroof; the sixth-generation revival changes format to a three-door liftback coupe and is assembled at Honda's Yorii plant in Saitama, Japan.
Model years 2026 · Independent buyer data
Honda Prelude: General Information
The Honda Prelude is a front-engine, front-drive sport compact that Honda built over five generations between 1978 and 2001 and revived in 2025 after a 24-year absence. The original car was a two-door notchback loosely derived from the Accord and was the first Honda offered with a moonroof; the sixth-generation revival changes format to a three-door liftback coupe and is assembled at Honda's Yorii plant in Saitama, Japan.
The modern Prelude is the first application of Honda's two-motor hybrid-electric system in a dedicated sports model, pairing a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with two electric motors and a direct-drive unit rather than a conventional automatic or CVT. It also introduces Honda S+ Shift, a drive mode that simulates a stepped performance gearbox with rev-matching, downshift blips and gear holding through the paddle shifters, and it borrows chassis hardware from the Civic Type R — dual-axis strut front suspension, wide tracks, adaptive dampers and Brembo four-piston front brakes.
Honda positions the car as a grand tourer rather than a stripped-out sports coupe: there is no manual gearbox, seating is 2+2, and the emphasis is on refinement, efficiency and everyday usability alongside genuine handling hardware. Reviewers have described it as polished, distinctive and unusually efficient for its class while noting that its hybrid powertrain gives it a more mature character than enthusiasts expecting a reborn Civic Si coupe might want.
Honda Prelude by model year
2026 Honda Prelude
2026 Honda Prelude Prelude
The Prelude nameplate returns for 2026 after a 24-year gap, and Honda sells it in a single well-equipped trim. A 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four is paired with Honda's two-motor hybrid system for 200 total system horsepower and 232 lb-ft, sent to the front wheels through a fixed-ratio direct-drive unit rather than a CVT. Civic Type R suspension and brake hardware, adaptive dampers and the new S+ Shift drive mode are standard. Starts at $42,000 before the $1,195 destination charge.
Honda Prelude trim levels
| Trim | MSRP | Engine | Power | Drive | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelude | $42,000 | 2.0L Atkinson I4 + two-motor hybrid | 200 hp / 232 lb-ft | FWD | 46 / 41 mpg |
Specifications (2026)
| Fuel | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Seats | 2 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the Honda Prelude cost?
The Honda Prelude has a typical price range of $42,000. Actual prices vary by year, mileage and local market conditions.
What fuel economy does the Honda Prelude get?
The Honda Prelude achieves 46 / 41 mpg. Real-world figures depend on trim, drivetrain and driving style.
Is the Honda Prelude reliable?
Owner-reported reliability is rated 8.0 / 10 (est.). Recall history: 0 recalls (2026).
What years of the Honda Prelude are available to compare?
Cars4Real covers Honda Prelude model years 2026. You can compare every year and trim side by side with live market prices and real owner reviews.