- Honda will resurrect the Prelude name for a sporty hybrid in 2026
- It will use the Civic Type R’s chassis and suspension
For those of us who remember a world with no social media and more juice drinks in foil pouches, the name Honda Prelude carries a sacred resonance. So, much of the KBB newsroom fell silent in thanks, for a moment, when Honda announced late last year that the Prelude would return for the 2026 model year.
But, for all the excitement, the automotive press has known strangely little about the upcoming sport coupe. Until now.
Honda released the first details about the next Prelude this morning, and the news is good. Honda says the car, will “feature the suspension, wide front and rear tracks, and Brembo front brakes from the legendary Civic Type R.”
About the Prelude
- Historically, the Prelude has been an Accord-based sports coupe
- The new model is smaller and has hybrid power
The Prelude name is a cherished one from Honda history.
Honda sold a 2-door sports car called the Prelude from 1978 until 2001. Usually built on the Accord platform, it gave Americans a fun 2-door with Honda’s legendary reliability and solid resale values.
Those early Prelude models were some of the first mainstream cars with standard power steering and introduced Honda’s famed VTEC engine line to American buyers. They were brilliantly styled for their time, looking aggressive and angular yet still obviously derived from Honda’s family cars.
Until now, the only detail Honda had let slip about the new Prelude was that it would use hybrid power. It’s the same hybrid setup as the current Civic Hybrid, though Honda may retune it for sportier duty. The company promises a new “Honda S+ Shift system, an innovative new drive mode that further advances Linear Shift Control to enhance Prelude’s sporty yet comfortable GT experience.”
About the Civic Type R
- It rides on the same platform as Honda’s sportiest current car, the Civic Type R
Today’s news tells us it will use Civic, not Accord, bones. But the Prelude won’t be based on an ordinary Civic.
The Civic Type R is the most high-performance car Honda sells in 2025 – the familiar compact car crossed with a rocket. With 315 horsepower and a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission, it’s a great driver’s car.
The Prelude won’t share its engine. But it will borrow its wider track, extra-stiff chassis, and dual-axis strut front suspension setup. That suspension scheme all-but eliminates torque steer in the Type R, which promises good things for the Prelude.
The 2026 Honda Prelude is set to arrive at dealerships later this year.
