2026 Honda Prelude

Honda has surprised many drivers with the return of the sporty two-door coupe in the form of the 2026 Honda Prelude, whose legacy originally dates back to 1978. Originally introduced in 1978, the Prelude established a reputation for balance, precision, and motorsport-inspired performance across five generations before being discontinued in 2001. Honda is hoping to rekindle some of that sports magic again with the all-new 2026 Prelude, which represents the sixth-generation outing for the coupe and a return to the market after a 25-year hiatus.

Designed for drivers who crave excitement with every mile, the compact coupe is aimed at drivers who want to have fun getting from point A to point B. A comfortable cabin is encased within a gorgeous exterior featuring a slickback design and a hybrid powertrain. This return to form for the Prelude makes it a competitive entry in the short list of coupes on the market, rivaling the likes of the Toyota GR86, Nissan Z, and Lexus RC.

Honda's approach to the segment is focused on making the Prelude distinct with its two-motor hybrid design, racing-inspired chassis, and a litany of conveniences sprinkled throughout the interior. The 2026 Prelude is available in a single trim format, so you never have to worry about being left out of key features when it comes to buying a model. You can also get the Prelude in five distinct colors, including Winter Frost Pearl, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Boost Blue Pearl, and Rallye Red.

MSRP: $42,000 ^[a]
Horsepower: 200 hp
Torque: 232 lb-ft
Screen Size: 9 in.
Cargo Space: 15.1 cu.ft.

The Honda Prelude embodies all of Honda’s latest advancements in performance-enhancing travel and fuel-efficient design wrapped up in one compact coupe. Under the hood, the 2026 Honda Prelude pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with dual electric motors for a combined 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. The result is crisp, immediate acceleration that feels true to the Prelude’s racing heritage. This responsive off-the-line performance is perfect for those who want a coupe that can go.

The hybrid engine is paired with the new Honda S+ Shift system, which enables simulated shifting with rev-matched downshifts in the S+ mode. This helps simulate the kind of performance and sports-car behavior that many enthusiasts have come to appreciate from the segment. You also have access to four different driving modes, including Comfort, GT, Sport, and Individual. The beauty of the Individual mode is similar to Honda’s other vehicles, where you can tailor handling and throttle response to your style.

This is also buffered by the fact that the Prelude benefits from the Civic Type R’s chassis and suspension improvements. This includes the dual-axis strut front suspension and the adaptive dampers that have been finely tuned specifically for the Prelude. You get the snappy performance qualities of the Civic Type R, but in a hybrid configuration, with a truly inspired design. The Brembo four-piston aluminum front calipers are colored in Prelude Blue and are tucked into 19-inch Berlina Black wheels, giving you the stopping power you need when you need it.

The design of the Honda Prelude features a sleek silhouette with a clean roofline, engineered using laser brazing technology. This results in more refined lines, which helps improve aerodynamic performance. The front profile features modern lines, a chrome grille louver, and a front fascia with a sporty sloped hood. All of this is ultimately the result of carefully engineered design, providing the 2026 Prelude with an aggressive presence for those who desire a new-generation sports coupe without the supercar price tag.

The 2026 Prelude’s interior is designed with the driver in mind, featuring a sculpted design that prioritizes visibility and accessibility. You have a clear view out of the windshield, and a multi-color cabin featuring contour seating, easy-to-reach tech, and plenty of storage within the coupe. The two-door Prelude—despite its compact size—actually seats up to four people, with two seats up front and two in the back. This design gives the Prelude a lot more versatility than a typical coupe, even if you don’t plan on making use of the extra passenger space.

When it comes to seating comfort, the front seats are leather-trimmed with a perforated houndstooth pattern with white and blue contrast stitching set against the black dashboard and surrounding interior. The vehicle features power-heated seating with integrated headrests, accompanied by a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with media control access and paddle shifters. The aluminum sport pedals help add those performance elements to the interior to match the equally sporty exterior.

Even if you don’t have additional passengers, the Prelude offers multiple points of storage access, including the side door, center console, and rear storage capacity. In fact, you can access the rear storage by folding down the front seats or through the liftback. You have up to 15.1 cu.ft. of cargo volume, so you can easily store or retrieve some of your belongings in the Prelude, convenient for running errands or keeping some work supplies on hand.

The 2026 Prelude complements its thoughtful cabin interior with equally engaging tech and accessibility. This includes connectivity features for smart devices, easy access to apps, and robust navigation support for short and long trips alike. You can stay connected while on the go thanks to the modern and thoughtful tech that accommodates the driver and passengers alike.

The Prelude features a 10.2-inch digital information display on the driver’s side, with telemetry updates and customizable profiles for travel information. You also have an accompanying nine-inch HD center touchscreen on top of the dashboard, featuring Google built-in, so you can access vehicle functionality using voice-activated commands. Additionally, you have real-time support when navigating to your favorite destinations using Google Maps, making it easy to find even the toughest of spots with updated map support. Access vehicle health, download apps from the Google Play store, or discover new music with the media apps.

The infotainment stack also provides you with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. You can also utilize Bluetooth streaming to access your favorite music and media playlists, which you can enjoy through the standard eight-speaker Bose premium surround sound system. Keep your phone charged using the wireless charging pad to avoid getting tangled up in cords, or utilize the HondaLink app’s features to maximize your Prelude’s capabilities with remote features and accessibility conveniently accessible via your smartphone. The robust set of technology makes the 2026 Prelude a fantastic coupe, appealing to both sports enthusiasts and modern drivers seeking a thoughtfully crafted compact with impressive range.

Safety remains a cornerstone of the 2026 Prelude, with the Honda Sensing suite standard for the model year. This technology ensures that, regardless of the segment or design intent, all of their vehicles are made safe for everyone. Whether you’re cruising along the highway or taking turns in the crowded urban streets, you have a robust set of safety technologies that span active, passive, and customizable options for occupants.

This all starts with Honda’s patented Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) front body structure, along with next-generation airbag technology, to provide as much safety and care as possible during a collision. Front knee and rear-side airbags are also standard for the Prelude. What’s more is that there are a number of collision mitigation safety aids in place to help reduce potential collisions. For instance, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) works in conjunction with the front pedestrian detection and Forward Collision Warning to automatically help apply brake pressure to reduce hitting objects.

If you frequently deal with bumper-to-bumper traffic, the Prelude is useful for navigating tight traffic, thanks to features like Traffic Jam Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. If you’re doing a lot of long highway travel, the Lane Keeping Assist System and Lane Departure Warning will help keep you alert and centered on the road. If you’re keen on making use of the Prelude’s performance, safety features like the Blind Spot Information System and the Rear Cross Traffic Monitor provide you with the awareness to make sure you aren’t blindsided when passing or having other cars attempting to pass you.

The design, features, and performance are all calling to sports coupe enthusiasts. If you’re in the market for a vehicle that puts the fun back into your daily drive, the 2026 Honda Prelude is the car for you. Packaged into a fully-featured trim with zero confusion about what you get, the Prelude’s modern tech, connectivity, inviting cabin, and hybrid performance give it a unique personality among its segment competitors.

If you’re ready to embrace the sporty appeal of the new generation Prelude, definitely feel free to visit us here at Ralph Honda to learn more about the two-door Honda. If you’re ready to start shopping for your very own Prelude, you can check out our inventory or talk to our sales staff about available features so you can get exactly what you want from this hybrid coupe.