THE Honda Prelude’s return may not be as triumphant as its diehard fanbase hoped.
And it’s the fault of a few key changes which have left enthusiasts scratching their heads.
Shown is the 1994 Honda Prelude racing down a roadway[/caption]
Honda Motor Co. CEO Toshihiro Mibe posing with the company’s Prelude Concept electric vehicle in 2023[/caption]
The 2026 Honda Prelude marks the platform’s return after a long 20-plus years on the shelf.
The car is expected to start at roughly $40,000, and could balloon into the high 40s or low 50s when fully loaded.
2,000 units allocated for the first batch of preorders have already sold out, per Japanese outlets such as Creative Trend.
Throughout its early generations, the vehicle hit the perfect balance of technology, affordability, and performance.
However, towards the end of its lifespan, factors such as rising costs due to added technology and the lack of a V6 option led to declining sales and the car’s eventual discontinuation in 2001.
Now, 25 years later, it seems that Honda is set to make similar mistakes with the platform’s revival.
PRELUDE’S PROBLEMS
The frustrating thing for fans is the choice of a hybrid powertrain utilizing Honda’s new e:HEV hybrid-electric system that can function as either a series- or parallel-hybrid depending on conditions.
Although the same setup in the new Honda Civic makes for a punchy ride with personality, there’s concerns that the Prelude’s final weight will leave it feeling lethargic.
This choice also necessitates the implementation of a new direct-drive transmission debuting on the Prelude called Honda Shift S+.
While Honda has called it an eCVT, this classification is misleading as there is no belt to change ratios in the direct-drive setup.
The maker claims that the steering wheel’s paddle shifters can simulate gear shifts complete with revmatches, but there’s no way of knowing how well this works in practice until test drives are done.
Honda has also yet to disclose the Prelude’s curb weight, or 0 to 60 and quarter-mile times, further fueling power-centric skepticism.
The revival is also forgoing the original Prelude’s four-wheel steering, one of its most defining features as the first mass-manufactured car with the feature. This was also part of what gave the original Prelude its distinctly sporty feel, especially when thrown into tight corners.
KILLED BY THE COMPETITION?
Arguably, the single biggest issue with the 2026 Honda Prelude is its potential competition.
Electric vehicles vs gas
Pros and cons of EVs vs gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheaper (depending on state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance, due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on the make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher insurance rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher curb weight (thus causing more rapid wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public charging (related: slow charging times)
- Poor winter and summer performance
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
GAS PROS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast refueling
- Cheaper insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Higher range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce nearly emission-less engines
- Cheaper refueling, depending on the location
GAS CONS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on petroleum)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Varying costs at the pump, depending on state, city, and county
Source: Car & Driver, Perch Energy, AutoWeek
For a similar price, the BMW 230i is an alluring choice, packing 55 more hp than the Prelude’s reported 200 and with rear-wheel drive, not to mention an actual transmission.
The 2025 Ford Mustang Ecoboost has a similar advantage, offering 315 hp and RWD from a responsive yet fuel-efficient turbocharged four-pot.
And the Mustang starts at $31,920, a price that is sure to undercut the Prelude.
DIEHARDS DIVIDED
Reactions to the reveal in the days since have been extremely divisive and varied.
“I like it, but I wouldn’t buy it,” said one Reddit user.
“You absolutely COOKED with this one guys. Good work,” posted an X user in response to Honda’s announcement video of the Prelude.
“I’m gonna focus on the positive here.. we are finally getting a Honda coupe in the US again. That’s awesome! Love the design. Should it be called a Prelude? Probably not, but at least it’s not a crossover,” philosophized another X user.
“They completely missed the mark,” said one Reddit user who added their prediction that “it will be discontinued in 3 years.”
“They really learned nothing from the CR-Z Q,” said another.
“There are so many mis-steps with this car. Too bad. It’ll be dead within 3-4 years,” said another.
