The new Honda Prelude is pretty hot. After all, most cars have a wave of hype that dies down after the initial reveal, but it’s been almost two years since the Prelude Concept dropped at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, and we’re still stoked to talk about the production car. By now, we know about its Brembo brakes borrowed from the Civic Type R, about its clever suspension, about the way it fakes having a gearbox, and even what the rear seat’s like. However, a few unknowns still hovered, and some new figures are out there to clear the air.
We pretty much knew that the new Prelude would have around 200 horsepower, and indeed, that’s exactly what it makes. The spec sheet lists a peak electric motor output of 181 horsepower, same as our Civic Hybrid, gasoline engine torque clocks in at the same 131 lb.-ft. as the Civic Hybrid, and maximum output of 141 horsepower from the gasoline engine arrives at 6,000 RPM, precisely as expected. No alarms or surprises here. As for fuel economy, the new Prelude is good for 46 MPG city, 41 MPG highway, and 44 MPG combined. That’s noticeably lower than the Civic Hybrid’s rating of 50 MPG city, 47 MPG highway, and 49 MPG combined, but still exceptional for something sporty. An all-wheel-drive Toyota Corolla Hybrid is rated at 47 MPG city, 41 MPG highway, and 44 MPG combined, so on paper, the Prelude’s powertrain is a case of having your cake and eating it too.
Right, what about curb weight? While U.S.-spec figures haven’t been released yet, we do know what the Prelude weighs in Japan. The launch-spec JDM Prelude tips the scales at 3,219 pounds, a mere 11 pounds more than a U.S.-spec Civic Sport Hybrid despite the JDM Prelude coming as standard with bigger brakes, more sophisticated suspension, 19-inch wheels, and a Bose sound system. On creature comfort levels alone, it’s more comparable to the 3,252-pound Civic Sport Touring Hybrid, so Honda’s clearly been working hard to keep curb weight reasonable.
For greater perspective, the new JDM-spec Prelude only weighs 177 pounds more than a 2001 Prelude Type SH despite a quarter-century of advancements resulting in a safer crash structure, more amenities, and even electrification. Sure, horsepower output may stay about the same, but we’re looking at a huge increase in low-end torque over the last Prelude’s powertrain. Considering the current Civic Hybrid is good for zero-to-60 mph in the mid-to-low six-second range, that should be more than alright for a daily driver.
Mind you, we don’t yet know what the Prelude will cost in America, but things in that department are weird over in Japan. While Japanese market pricing isn’t directly convertible to U.S. market pricing, the launch-spec JDM Prelude starts at 5,618,000 yen if we exclude Japan’s consumption tax. That’s 1,075,000 yen (about $7,240 at current conversion rates) more than Honda’s real flagship, the Civic Type R.
Then again, if we do convert launch-spec JDM Prelude pricing out to greenbacks, we land in the neighborhood of $37,850. Still high, but not out of the question when a loaded U.S.-market Civic Hatchback Hybrid will run you $34,960 including freight. If Honda can keep U.S. Prelude pricing in that ballpark and it just turns out that we’re getting hosed on the Civic Type R, the new hybrid coupe should be dressed for success.
In any case, we won’t have to wait long to find out. The new Prelude arrives in American showrooms later this autumn, and given that the season will change to winter on Dec. 21, we should know exactly what Honda’s three-door hybridized liftback will run us before the holidays. It looks great, has some awesome handling hardware, and seems to hit a daily driver sweet spot of straight-line punch versus fuel economy.
Top graphic image: Honda
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Attractive car, shame about the drivetrain.
I always appreciated my 2001 prelude as more of a semi-sporty grand tourer than more of a fast and furious wannabe. I loved driving that thing on an open road with a few twists just to keep it interesting. I look forward to this being in my garage come next year. I will take it in silver, dark tint, a sun roof and loads of this Southern California sunshine. I am too old and experience too much traffic for a daily manual transmission and the MPGs are in line with what I would want for a commuter.
Where do you we think the loss of MPG comes from compared to the Civic Hybrid? Would 19″ wheels account for a loss of 5 MPG? To my eyes the coupe shape looks slipperier than the Civic, but obviously I am wrong given the MPG number.
Otherwise, this looks like a really cool car. I hope it sells well and is a reasonable success. I hope Honda USA keeps the price sane; I’d argue that $37k is too much when a Civic Hybrid starts at about $9k less. And while my brain understands why they won’t do a stick version, my heart still longs for one. Maybe they’ll get bullish in a few years and make a version with the Si drivetrain.
Not complaining, but the Brembos are an interesting choice. Have to wonder if it’ll have the tires from the factory to take advantage. Could just be a pedal feel thing? They look sick too i guess.
I understand they can help with fade regardless of tire, but hard to imagine Honda intending this CVT car to be used for track days
I had the same thought. “It’s more of a grand touring coupe than a true sports car. Oh, also check out the sweet Brembos…” I mean, they could have painted the Honda calipers red and saved a few bucks off the MSRP.
With such a deep history in internal combustion engines, it’s clear why Honda appears to be so reluctant with battery electric vehicles. Why don’t they offer more plug-in hybrids? The Volt PHEV was a sporty car to drive; our current regular hybrid gets great mpg, but the driving experience suffers.
Why didn’t Honda make the Prelude a punchy PHEV, and then offer the powertrain across its models (to get scale/drive down costs)?
So odd to use the dual-axis strut front end/wide track and Brembos from a Type R on a car with 100 less horsepower. I’m very curious to see how this drives. The Civic Hybrid gets rave reviews and I’m a fan of that car, but I haven’t heard anyone say the standard chassis and brakes can’t handle the power. This is like BMW using a M car chassis but with the standard 2.0 turbo engine.
Now for my weird take: I personally love this concept, but I’d like this combo of hybrid MPG and mega handling parts….in a more practical bodystyle. Could this be a “prelude” to a four-door regular Civic hybrid with the cool parts? Next gen SI, maybe?
Very much agree, and am intrigued to test drive one. My wife drives a 23′ Civic touring, and I have 23′ Type R. both riding stock spec rubber. With respect to tire size and compound difference, the brake feel is night and day different. The Brembo’s feel and modulation control offer a confidence beyond its price point. Wife’s car stops great, but It takes a min. to regain brake timing when switching between them. I think a lot of that has to do with the massive 265 Pilots sport 4s is has though.
Why would you want this?
why not? buying such car is an emotional choice, because you like it, no other reason required.
As an aging ’90s kid I feel like some folks are maybe ret-conning the Prelude into being more than it was? Am I missing something? I just don’t remember the lust for the Prelude when I was a young car enthusiast, even in their heyday they seemed to be in a weird middle ground between luxury coupe and sports coupe though the they sold pretty well until the last generation.
I remember respecting the Prelude and being slightly curious but the Hondas I wanted wanted were an Integra GSR or Civic Si.
One of many rose-tinted cars. Prelude was always more of an expensive Honda Celica* than a sports car (and poor value, IMO). This isn’t really a departure from the old formula except for being Civic based (Accord is way too large now, anyway) and maybe not having more power than the Civic hybrid, though it has more than the standard Civic, and the Hybrid is more powerful than the Si due to the torque. Even then, they were never terribly powerful and this has the CTR front setup (though it’s probably lacking in power to make any meaningful difference in the real world), which kind of echoes what they did on the old Preludes in terms of having improved handling. This is pretty much the modern version of what a Prelude was and it’s likely going to be cheaper accounting for inflation.
*Another rose-tinter. These were essentially nicer Corolla sport coupes (which is great—nothing wrong with a bulletproof drivetrain in a halfway decent commuter sporty car. My BiL’s mother had a frog eye that she traded in with over 300k you’d never know were more than a quarter that only because she wanted something else), the All-Tracs were cool, but kind of mediocre outside of rally, and the last one was an ugly bug of a thing with a torqueless oil-eater of an engine, yet the things I read from some people the last few years, they are somehow under the impression that they were legends.
The only counter point is at least the last couple gens of Prelude offered what was a hot engine for their time with around 200 hp perhaps unironically the same on paper as the current one but that was over 20 years ago and I’d argue the current Si is underpowered for its mission-and I’m not a hp junky.
That’s true, though they weren’t rockets, but that’s fine because that wasn’t the point. It seems that a lot of people today have a different impression of what the Prelude was, that it was some kind of a Supra/Z/RX7 competitor or maybe a more luxury-oriented ITR—something it wasn’t—and now they’re disappointed that it isn’t what it never was. What were they expecting? I’m not going to weigh in on the looks because that’s subjective and the Prelude was never a serious looker, either (though I never thought them to be ugly), but I think Honda’s done a decent job here of bringing it back as a fair modern version of the old one (and it’s even a coupe!). I don’t know how big that market is, but I don’t work for Honda or own their stock, so that’s not my concern.
I’m also not a hp junky and I think the Si is underpowered. It should have the 2.0T from the Accord for around 250 hp to bring it up to Focus ST level of 12 years ago. It would be especially good now that the hybrid has more power than the Si. Unless they really wanted a stick and the slightly better handling suspension, why wouldn’t someone get the hybrid instead? Even as an obnoxious manual diehard, I’d go for the hybrid were I intent on a Civic.
Agree. Gen 1, 2, and 3 sold the most. Somewhere along the way (F&F franchise?) Preludes got elevated way beyond what they actually were.
You might be misinterpretting. I’m passionate not because the Prelude was so incredible; more that the current civic has none of the magic/mojo that made older civics so desirable, and they absolutely FAILED with the new integra, so seeing an older nameplate from a sporty honda come back is something to get excited about.
Unfortunately, this is garbage.
I see that for sure, and tend to agree with you. The current Type R is the first Honda I’ve been genuinely curious about since the early ’00s-though I also haven’t driven one or even the lower level Civic though I’m inclined to believe you. Sadly the only Prelude I ever got to drive was an ’83 helping a friend car shop in the early ’00s and I remember being pretty impressed with it for what it was.
I can understand why OG Prelude people are pissed, but c’mon, let’s calm down. This isn’t supposed to be a sports car, or “sporty” car as Honda says. This is supposed to be the 2-door Prius Toyota won’t make for people without kids, or I guess people who want an excuse NOT to carpool. I plan on copping one as a commuter car (under 30, single, no kids). If I want a sports car I’ll get something with a V8
White and blue seats?! Now thats what I’m talkin’ about. Happy Honda Days to all!
I don’t understand why they put the effort and resources into building this when they clearly should’ve been building a new gen manual hybrid Accord wagon, preferably brown.
If they would bring the 1.5T/6MT Civic Sport Hatchback like they had in the 10th generation I would buy another in an instant. The only way to get the combo of stick, turbo and hatch now is an Integra that costs 1.5X as much.
The first generation Civic Hybrid was available with a manual, the technology exists!
That was the older IMA system. Not sure what the technical differences are compared to this.
IMA was simple, more of a mild hybrid. It was basically a weed whacker engine/belt CVT combo with a small electric motor in between to act as generator, starter, and mild power boost for the inadequate engine. I think some versions might have been able to move the car on electric alone, but it would have been very low speed and short distance if that was the case. My sister had an ’08 Civic IMA hybrid while my mother bought the regular one. My mother’s was faster, had more trunk space, looked better, had real tires that allowed actual handling and braking that didn’t feel like a worn out Malaise barge in the rain, cost less, and got close to the same mileage. The Hybrid’s 2nd or 3rd expensive battery was long dead when they junked it and I think a Subaru 360 could have outran the damn thing without the electric assist. The new hybrid system is very different.
While I do understand that this comment is in jest, I do wonder why they don’t make their Civic Hatch more of a hatchback and less of a fastback. It really doesn’t seem to offer the practicality bump of a more traditional Golf shaped hatchback. If I were buying a new Civic, I’d just buy the sedan and save a couple of grand. Something I likely wouldn’t do if it was more of a real hatchback.
Yeah, I get it, and I’m glad you got the joke. My point is they will sell 12 of these and then retire the model. I just don’t understand the product planning meeting where they convinced themselves that people were going to buy this in any great numbers.
The Prelude will look good as the center vehicle when showing their whole line-up racing down a cgi runway during a Happy Honda Days sales event ad being shown during an NFL game I’m half asleep for.
I bet this thing gets much worse MPG without the doors, because that’s the only way I’m driving a car with electric door handles, and since the Prelude isn’t built with doors designed to be easily removed, removing said doors and driving without them would be illegal.
Flush mechanical door handles are not only possible, they’ve been done on mass produced cars before (Subaru XT for one).
These are mechanical.
Got a link? I’ll fully recant if that is the case.
Edit: Watched some vids, found one that shows the door handle, it has a mechanical mode, Huzzah!
I may recommend my dad get one, he loves 2 door 4 seat cars and softer suspension.
The fake gearbox is disappointing. I like a manual transmission, but if that’s not honest to the vehicle I’d rather it not be there.
What material are those white interior trim pieces? In general not a big fan looks nice when new, but ages somewhere between poorly to terribly depending on what it’s made of.
I would hope and think vinyl as white dyed leather is expensive and not very durable. I doubt a car in this price class would use real leather of the quality, unblemished hides needed to be dyed white, but I could be wrong.
probably right, though still a pain to keep from looking dirty for those who care.
Honda learned nothing from the CRZ flop
Sad but true, I look forward to seeing all 10 of these that sell out on the roads.
yeah this thing is giving me major CRZ vibes. was there ever a liftback Prelude?
I rather like it! I’ll test drove one for sure. Just needs a really big ol’ wiang though! Unfortunately for me and Honda sales I don’t have the money to buy one of these to daily and keep my BRZ for manual fun, so I’m gonna be sticking with the BRZ.
Seems a hard sell as a Sports Sedan, when the Nissan Z starts at $42K and has double the power. And, now you can even get them with a 6-speed manual!
And with the BRZ starting around $34k, more power and a manual option. Unclear who would buy it and I say that as Honda fanboy. I’m not even against the Hybrid drivetrain but I also don’t see why they didn’t just drop in the SI mechanicals.
That was my thought too. Even the silhouette is very Z like. I’d rather stretch for the RWD and manual. The extra power is gravy on top.
I do wish Honda would ditch their goofy push-button gear selector. Other than that, I’ve no complaints.
I’m not totally sold on the styling (the rise/fall of the hood to the windshield base looks way too forced) but it’s 100% better than the last few generations of Civics, so the up charge might be worth that. If I had my choice, I’d want smaller wheels (18″ max) and lose the gimmicky virtual gears. If I could get a couple sets of golf clubs in the back (it looks like I would be able to) and occasionally fit a roof rack, Then this would be a practical car for me.
This. I wasn’t sure how to express it, but you did so admirably. It makes me think, “What if a 350Z started to throw up, but did that think where you sort of catch it in your throat?”
But it’s dogshit ugly? The front end? Looks like a Civic, which is ugly. The side profile? Looks like a 2 door Altima from a few years ago, right down the change in angle of the C pillar at the “trunk,” which is ugly. The rear end looks like a rip-off off Porsche, but without any other supporting design elements, so it’s ugly. Who cares about this thing, and why not just make a 2 door Civic?
It is, at absolute best, extremely boring. Who thought copying the Prius’ homework was a good idea for a sporty coupe?
Surprised nobody’s mentioning Mitsubishi Eclipse cues.
Reminds me of all the ho-hum coupes that used to exist in the ’90s—not bad, but less practical versions of regular cars for little to no improvement in the driver experience. The huge brakes are stupid—extra weight that’s unsprung, requires unnecessary low profile tires to compound a poorer ride than necessary, and higher expense come time for replacement. This is a FWD commuter in coupe dressing, the brakes and wheels should be smaller or this crap should at least be optional (is there a reason the CTR spindle requires the larger brakes?). Looks like it won’t have any more room in back than a GRZ, which is a much sportier car (for likely cheaper), though the hatch is a lot more useful than the GRZ’s mail slot trunk. Either way, the standard, more practical Civic Hybrid seems like it will be a much better deal, if maybe a bit less interesting, and not quite as good handling for the 0.1% who will be able to notice it 0.1% of the time they’re driving. I like the blue and white interior.
100% and while I’d argue this is a better glow-up than the typical 2 door fwd sedan based ’90s coupe, I generally think if I’m going to give up a couple doors I better get more performance via reduced weight and sexy AF styling, or what’s the point. There’s a reason this segment died off; ironically with Honda themselves being one of the last car makers standing.
I am under NO circumstances will trade my Civic Si for a Prelude. Unless they have a Prelude Si with 6-Spd coming down the pike. But the Nismo Z on the other hand….
So I’m admittedly already a hater, because I feel like Honda has lost the plot completely. Their “Integra” was just a rebadged ILX and captured absolutely nothing about what Honda Enthusiasts actually wanted. It was such a low effort attempt at recapturing what made the Integra a legend that it was honestly insulting, and really has made me quite certain there’s no hope for that company anymore.
THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WANTED.
So then we have this Prelude. Kind of weak specs, but maybe it’ll be engaging, a “fun” hybrid with actually good MPG, unlike the joke of a CRZ that offered way less space than a civic hybrid without being any faster, or more efficient, so it was basically just a Civic Hybrid but worse by almost every metric.
However… I just can’t get on board with the front end. It looks wrong, broken, with misplaced headlights.
I don’t have my cintiq hooked up so I did this with a track pad in 2 minutes, but I took the original design, and shifted the headlights LOWER to match the main grill, and after that, I just raised the grill up to match the headlights.
Prelude Headlight Adjustments
Either of these proportions make way more sense to my brain, but the existing design just looks tall, narrow, and awkward.
Anyone else hung up on what I’m seeing? I feel like either of the two lower versions are a massive improvement.
That said… the 2001 design looks better, cleaner, and fresher than this. The “new” one looks busy, not cohesive, and has strange proportions.
I really wish Honda would get it’s mojo back… I’ve owned so many golden era hondas and they really are a magic combination of advanced suspension, motorcycle inspired engines, perfect/simple ergonomics, and clean styling. Modern Honda has nothing that I’d even desire to own. NOTHING. Sad.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
Ninja Edit: Forgot there’s no stickshift. FUCK THIS CAR. FUCK HONDA. YOU ARE DEAD TO ME!
I once had a 1991 Prelude Si 4WS. It felt absolutely special and contemporary from the day that I purchased it around 2003 until the day I sold it to buy an e30. As much as I want to like it, I’d buy a regular old Civic SI or stretch for a Z if I wanted to recapture what I loved about the Prelude.
I had a 90 Si 4WS! 🙂
Why did we ever get rid of these cars! And I made a typo – mine was a 1990 as well!
In general I agree, Honda hasn’t made anything I’d really want since the early ’00s up until the current gen Type R being the first I actually wish I could afford.
I like your edit-I’d be tempted to add a taller air dam to reduce the visual mass of the now en-largened bumper. I do think losing the split headlights gives up some visual identity but maybe slightly less recognizable is better than weird, the headlights are a bit goofy and don’t feel connected to other current Honda designs or anything in their heritage.
I don’t see the hot. Bit cool to me. Not a lot of brand identity in the styling. If you took the Honda badges off I might have guessed Toyota.
Agreed. The proportions are bad. The design is not attractive.
The new Prius coupe!
HELL YEAH PUT IT IN MY VEINS.
If this truly is about the same weight as a 5th gen, these are going to be wonderful GT cars with the added torque down low.