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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yes, love it – it looks timeless and awesome
I do hope that as we get deeper in the run of the Prelude a base model will be offered. I think the basic idea of the car is good but would like to see a model with smaller wheels. The thought of running 19’s make my spine hurt. Something with a little more sidewall would be welcome. Take that, the Brembos and the Bose sound system out, add cloth seats and give me a lower priced entry model too.
The new Prelude makes me imagine an incredible car even though, realistically, I know little about it. The idea is powerful. Three door liftback coupe, magic handling…but I’ve been spoiled for it.
(My opinions have a very important caveat/punchline, so you may wish to skip to the end.)
It’s gotta be electric.
There’s the similarly-mythical idea, “rear-wheel drive”.
There’s no packaging requirement by a FWD/AWD platform on an electric.
It also means eliminating the most complex systems in a car (engine, transmission, etc.) where hybrids add complexity instead. The benefits stack up in a way I consider intuitive to learn, but easy to forget.
It’s like when I was searching for a new laptop years ago, and it needed to be a convertible with USB-C charging and have discrete graphics (or at least, not “Intel UHD Graphics”).
I ultimately dropped some criteria for something that fit well-enough. Now I’ve got a separate tablet because it wasn’t convertible, and the soon-unreliable barrel jack charger made it practically useless.
I learned not to drop criteria I previously considered “important” just because something performs well enough.
Not that I’d buy a modern, connected vehicle. The privacy issues, the vendor/dealership lock-in, direct integration of Google services, and inevitable tithes to the church of recurring income, whose prophet is Adobe of The Creative Cloud..
…AKA, subscriptions in your car.
That’s why, as an online enthusiast with no money, I can say with complete confidence that the 2026 Prelude will be a massive success.
Looks like a Toyota Prius coupe to me. The front end styling proves my case.
I hope the Prelude is a success but this thing will probably be as uncommon a sight on the road as the 400z.