Remember the Honda Prelude? After 25 years, it's coming back as a hybrid

Honda is bringing back the legendary Prelude after a quarter of a century. The 2026 Honda Prelude remains a coupe aimed primarily at drivers who enjoy a sportier drive, but this time it features modern hybrid technology. If that doesn't impress you, Honda emphasizes that driving pleasure remains a top priority.

The Prelude is a car that has often served as a testing ground for advanced technologies in the past. For example, the second generation of this car used a fuel injection system developed based on Honda's experience in Formula 1, the third introduced four-wheel steering in the late 1980s, in which the rear wheels also turned, and the fourth was one of the first production models to adopt VTEC technology, which was also featured in the legendary NSX.

A hybrid that is supposed to offer genuine driving pleasure

The biggest highlight of the new Honda Prelude is hidden under the hood. It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with two electric motors and a 1.05 kWh battery. 

Honda uses a unique hybrid system where the electric motor can drive the front wheels using battery power, while the petrol engine acts as an electric generator, or when maximum performance is required, both systems work together. This design allows for efficient use of energy while also delivering a more responsive ride.

It is also interesting that the car does not have a classic gearbox, but Honda promises that the driver will not feel like driving with a continuously variable transmission during acceleration. The engineers have provided simulated gearshifts, which are supposed to create a sportier feel and offer the driver an experience similar to driving with a conventional automatic transmission.

Honda assures that it is not just a version of the Civic

The new Prelude is similar in design to the Civic Hybrid, but Honda emphasizes that it's not just a different body style. The car features a special chassis and powertrain setup that clearly sets it apart from the everyday family model.

In the United States, the starting price will be just over $43,000, with no information available for Europe. This puts the Prelude well above the regular Civic Hybrid, but Honda justifies the higher price with more advanced technology and a more driver-focused design.