2026 Honda Prelude Quick Spin: Your Civic Hybrid Coupe Is Here
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Key Points in This Review
- The 2026 Honda Prelude is an all-new coupe that features Civic Type R chassis components and the Civic hybrid’s two-motor hybrid system.
- It comes in one well-equipped trim level that includes a Bose stereo and a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- The Prelude offers a reasonably sporty driving experience, but visibility and backseat space are seriously compromised by the coupe body style.
Prelude is an iconic model name from Honda’s past, and it’s back for 2026 on a new car that incorporates different components from the Civic lineup, like suspension and brake hardware from the Civic Type R and the gas-electric hybrid system from the Civic hybrid. I recently drove the new Prelude briefly at an event for North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year jurors, and if you’ve been eyeing a Civic hybrid but wish it offered a sporty coupe body style, the Prelude is the car for you. Just be prepared for traditional coupe shortcomings related to backseat space and rear visibility.
Related: 2026 Honda Prelude Up Close: Putting the Green in Grand Touring
What Is the New Honda Prelude Like to Drive?
- Takeaway: The Prelude shares its 200-horsepower gas-electric hybrid system with the Civic hybrid and gets a retuned version of the Civic Type R’s adaptive shocks along with its dual-axis strut front suspension. The result is a reasonably sporty coupe that’s also well composed.
The Prelude gets a version of the suspension found in the high-performance Civic Type R, but its setup here favors comfort. There are four different drive modes — Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual — and even though ride quality is firm in the Sport setting, the Prelude still rides well and isn’t punishing in the least. All Preludes have 19-inch wheels with P235/40R19 all-season tires (summer tires are available).
The Prelude’s gas-electric hybrid system delivers good power, and the car feels quick enough to be fun for everyday driving. A new S+ Shift mode uses the steering-wheel paddles to initiate simulated gear changes, but since the Prelude doesn’t have a traditional step-gear transmission, all this does is change the gas engine’s rpm and sound. Reasonably quick steering and good overall composure are highlights.
What’s the Prelude Like Inside?
- Takeaway: Familiar Honda design characteristics abound in the Prelude’s interior, which is reminiscent of the Civic’s but features its own unique styling elements. The car includes a two-person rear seat, but it’s hardly usable for adults.
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