The Honda Prelude sports coupe is back – but you're unlikely to see many of them.
Only 400 examples of the Prelude will be available to UK customers in 2026, with additional allocation in future years likely to hinge on demand.
There's one trim level with lashings of standard equipment – including heated front seats trimmed in leather, wireless Apple CarPlay, adaptive headlights and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
You'd expect a decent amount of standard equipment when the new Honda Prelude starts from £40,995. The Racing Blue Pearl paint is a £700 option – as are grey and pearl white – but the blue is available from March 2026; you'll have to wait a few weeks longer if you want the other colours.
A different design of 19-inch alloy wheels is a £2,000 option, or you can have a black trim pack for £1,400. Both the interior upholstery options are no-cost choices.
The Prelude borrows its 184hp 2.0-litre hybrid engine from the Civic and ZR-V. It doesn't sound like a lot of power but it seems the focus will be on handling rather than straight-line performance.
And to that end, the Prelude's suspension is taken from the recently departed Civic Type R hot hatch.
Honda is keen to emphasise that the Prelude will be for keen drivers. The new car will feature ‘S+ Shift’ technology, which simulates the noise and feel of a quick-shifting automatic gearbox. It'll even 'rev match' for you, despite the lack of any actual gears. In lieu of a proper manual gearbox, this is as good as it’s going to get – but if it’s anything like the simulated gearbox in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, that’s no big problem.
In S+ Shift mode, the paddles behind the steering wheel can be used to change 'gears'. In normal driving, the paddles are used to adjust the level of regenerative braking.
In terms of drive modes, your choices are Comfort, GT, Sport and Individual, with Sport likely to sharpen the accelerator. response and add weight to the steering.
The Prelude gets smooth new styling with clean surfacing and slim LED daytime running lights. Its design is said to have been inspired by gliders. The headlights are joined by a slim air intake and the lower bumper integrates a spoiler into the design. At the back, there’s a full-width light bar giving an impressive night-time light signature, and curved haunches leading down to a sporty rear bumper.
Hone in on a Honda
Shop used Honda cars for sale at Motorpoint, or read our Honda Civic review.
