New Honda Prelude Is Back for 2026: Hybrid Power, Sleek Design, Big Surprise

It has been almost two years since Honda first reignited the Prelude name at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon. What started as a sleek concept car evolved into a near-production model shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year. Now, Honda is preparing to officially launch the sixth-generation Prelude in Japan this September. It will head to European showrooms in 2025 and arrive at United States dealerships in early 2026.

Interestingly, the Prelude project did not begin with the name in mind. According to development lead Tomoyuki Yamagami, the goal was to explore the hidden desire for what Honda calls the “ideal sports car.” Eventually, the team decided to revive the long-dormant Prelude badge, which had been out of production since 2001.

So, what is Honda’s idea of the perfect sports car in this new era? It seems to be a careful balance of performance, efficiency, and usability. While the new Prelude is expected to borrow heavily from the Civic Type R—think dual-axis front suspension and Brembo brakes—it also blends in practical features like a liftback design, underfloor cargo storage, and split-folding rear seats. Power will come from a hybrid system, helping the coupe remain fuel-efficient compared to traditional sports cars.

Visually, the Prelude does not just look like a Civic with a swooping roofline. Honda has emphasized the design’s aerodynamic influence, even stating it was inspired by the shape of a glider. To set itself apart from the Civic Hybrid, the Prelude will use large-diameter tires and a modified wheelbase to enhance driving dynamics and aesthetics.

On the inside, there are signs of both attention to detail and budget-conscious decisions. The two-tone front seating area gives off a more premium vibe, but the rear bench is basic black with minimal styling. Rear legroom appears limited, so the back seats are probably best suited for shorter trips or extra luggage space.

Performance figures are still under wraps, but we expect the Prelude to surpass the Civic Hybrid’s output of 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, thanks to its sportier focus. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine paired with dual electric motors will do the heavy lifting. Do not expect a manual transmission—only paddle shifters and a simulated “S+ Shift” mode will be offered.

As for pricing, Honda is likely to position the Prelude slightly above the 2026 Civic Hybrid Hatchback, which starts at $31,645 before options. The new Prelude will not be a hardcore track machine, but it is also not meant to be. Honda has made it clear this model is intended to deliver a fun, well-rounded driving experience for a global audience.

Speculation about hotter Type S and Type R models is already circulating, but those variants are not expected anytime soon. Honda is focused on getting the base model Prelude into showrooms first and seeing how drivers respond to this new blend of nostalgia and innovation.