New 2026 Honda Prelude Sports Coupe Expands Honda Hybrid-Electric Lineup to Four Fun-to-Drive and Fuel-Efficient Models

• New Prelude pairs two-motor hybrid powertrain with Civic Type R chassis components
• New “Honda S+ Shift” drive mode provides performance transmission experience
• ‘Grand Touring’ experience delivers precise steering, responsive handling and a composed ride
• 2026 Honda Prelude is available in one well-equipped trim starting at $42,000¹

The highly-anticipated 2026 Honda Prelude hybrid-electric sports coupe has begun arriving at Honda dealers, expanding the brand’s hybrid-electric lineup to four fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient models. The new Prelude is the first model to pair the award-winning Honda two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain with high-performance chassis hardware from the iconic Civic Type R. Moreover, the all-new Prelude marks the debut of S+ Shift, an innovative new drive mode that simulates a performance-transmission experience to deliver an engaging grand touring experience, while remaining comfortable for everyday driving.

The 2026 Prelude is available in one well-equipped trim with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $42,000¹ (excluding $1,195 destination charge).

“The return of Prelude to the Honda lineup demonstrates our commitment to expand hybrid-electric sales and our passenger car lineup,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales. “A legendary nameplate like Prelude combined with an award-winning Honda hybrid system and Type R chassis components has created an exciting yet comfortable vehicle our customers will want to drive.”

Hybrid-electric models represent about one-third of Honda sales, thanks to the success of the CR-V hybrid, Accord hybrid and Civic hybrid, and Honda plans to expand hybrid application to represent over 60% of total auto sales in the coming years.

The first-ever electrified Prelude is powered by the powerful and efficient Honda two-motor hybrid-electric system found in the award-winning Civic, Accord and CR-V hybrid models. It combines two large and powerful electric motors with a highly efficient 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle direct injection gasoline engine to deliver a sporty driving experience and obtain exceptional fuel economy ratings. A combined system output of 200 horsepower⁴ and a robust 232 lb.-ft. of torque gives the new Prelude quick and responsive acceleration off the line and out of corners.

Notably, the Honda two-motor hybrid system is not equipped with a traditional transmission or CVT. Rather than use a torque converter and multiple gear ratios, or mechanical pulleys and drive belt, drive force from the traction motor is sent to the wheels directly through a fixed ratio, while engine power is blended seamlessly through a simple lock-up clutch. This simple form of drive force transfer offers smooth and predictable acceleration from the traction motor, matched with efficient low-rpm highway cruising when the gasoline engine is in operation.

2026 Honda Prelude Pricing & EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

New Honda S+ Shift
The 6th-generation Prelude marks the debut of Honda S+ Shift, an innovative new drive mode that simulates a performance transmission experience to deliver the ultimate electrified Honda driving experience with a responsive and engaging shifting simulation. Honda S+ Shift advances Linear Shift Control to deliver maximum levels of driver engagement.

By precisely managing engine RPM and integrating paddle shifters, Honda S+ Shift delivers quick simulated gearshift responses through seamless coordination between the engine and high-power drive motor, including downshift blips, rev matching, gear holding and enhanced engine sounds to increase driver engagement. Honda has announced plans to feature S+ Shift on future hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) models.

High-Performance Civic Type R Chassis Hardware
The 2026 Honda Prelude is the brand’s first hybrid-electric model to feature high-performance chassis hardware from the legendary Civic Type R, including the dual-axis strut front suspension, wide front and rear tracks and large brakes originally designed for the iconic hot hatch. The new sports coupe delivers a sporty yet comfortable grand touring experience with high levels of driver exhilaration and engagement due to suspension and brake systems tuned exclusively for Prelude, including the standard Adaptive Damper System.

Selectable drive modes enable the driver to optimize the Prelude driving experience, seamlessly switching between Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual driving modes for various conditions with pre-set performance settings controlling powertrain response, steering assist level, suspension damping, engine sound, gauge cluster layout and adaptive cruise-control responses. The suspension’s distinct damping characteristics in each drive mode, give the driver precise control of the sports coupe’s ride and handling responses with optimized damping curves. High-performance summer tires that maximize grip and handling are available.

Prelude offers exceptional braking performance, sharing its front and rear brakes with the Civic Type R. Lightweight two-piece 13.8-inch diameter front rotors are paired with brawny Brembo™ monobloc four-piston aluminum calipers dressed with both the Prelude and Brembo™ logos and finished in a Prelude-specific blue hue. The rear rotors are 12.0 inches in diameter.

Striking Color Combinations
The 2026 Prelude is available in five bold colors, including the new Winter Frost Pearl with either a bodycolor or black roof option. Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Rallye Red are available, along with Boost Blue Pearl. The Prelude interior is available in two striking color combinations, a two-tone Blue and White or Black – both featuring premium materials and high-contrast blue accent stitching to compliment the blue exterior accents that include Prelude’s large four-piston front Brembo brake calipers.

New Line of Honda Genuine Accessories
For customers looking to take the sporty styling of Prelude even further, the sports coupe can be customized with an extensive new line of Honda Genuine Accessories, including uniquely styled 19-inch machine-finished Berlina Black wheels, black decklid spoiler, front underbody spoilers, black emblems and door mirror covers.

The new 2026 Honda Prelude is available in one well-equipped trim that includes these features as standard equipment:

• Honda two-motor hybrid system
• New Honda S+ Shift system
• Leather-trimmed front sport seats with perforated houndstooth pattern, integrated head restraints and three-way heating
• 19-inch Berlina Black alloy wheels
• 235/40R19 AS tires  
• Brembo™ four-piston aluminum front calipers (shared with Civic Type R), finished in unique Prelude Blue
• Dual-axis strut front suspension (shared with Civic Type R, uniquely tuned for Prelude)
• Adaptive Dampers (shared with Civic Type R, uniquely tuned for Prelude)
• Four driving modes: Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual
• Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with alloy shift paddles
• Sport pedals
• 2+2 Seating with 60/40 split fold-down rear seat
• 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9-inch HD touchscreen with Google built-in
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto™ compatibility
• WiFi Hotspot capability
• Wireless phone charger
• 8-speaker Bose premium sound system
• Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies
• Post-Collision Braking System (PCB)
• Blind spot information with Rear Cross Traffic Alert

For more information on the Honda Prelude click here.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport, Prologue and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. The Honda electrified vehicle lineup, representing more than a quarter of total sales in 2024, includes the all-electric Prologue SUV, the fuel-cell-electric CR-V e:FCEV, and hybrid-electric models including Accord, CR-V, Civic and Prelude.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for over 40 years and currently operates eight major manufacturing facilities in America. In 2024, more than 99% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, with about 2/3 made in America, using domestic and globally made parts.

More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook.

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1. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration, $1,195 destination charge and options, including premium paint colors. Dealer prices may vary.
2. MSRP plus $1,195 destination charge, excluding tax, license, registration and options, including premium paint colors. Dealer prices may vary.
3. Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings; Use for comparison purposes only; your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid trims only), and other factors.
4. Total system horsepower (ISO net) of the peak, concurrent output of the two electric motors and gasoline engine.