Upcoming details and pictures of the 2026 Honda Prelude as it nears its market release

Approaching Market: Detailed Insights and Images of the 2026 Honda Prelude

The automotive world is abuzz with the latest announcement from Honda – the return of the iconic Prelude. After a 28-year hiatus, the sixth-generation Prelude is set to make its debut, promising an exciting blend of performance and style.

Manufactured in one of Honda's Japanese plants, the Prelude shares its platform with the Civic and Acura Integra. Unlike its predecessors, the new Prelude is a hatchback, offering a more spacious interior and cargo area.

Under the hood, the Prelude boasts the same 200-hp, 232 lb-ft propulsion system found in the Civic hybrids. This power system engages the S+ shift system for simulated performance transmission control in the Prelude, providing a dynamic driving experience with virtual rev-matching and "enhanced" engine sounds.

The Prelude adopts push/pull shift buttons, replacing the Civic's lever, and inherits the same dual axis front suspension setup used on the Civic Type-R, promising excellent handling and steering characteristics with no torque steer.

The braking system is also impressive, with the Prelude featuring the same brake package as the Type-R, including 13.8-inch two-piece front rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers and 12-inch rear rotors.

In terms of technology, the Prelude will use the same 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch central touchscreen as the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid. Additionally, it will feature an Android Automotive infotainment system with Google services built-in.

As for the interior, while some panels and surfaces are unique from the Civic, the important hardpoints seem to be common to both cars. The back seat may be significantly less usable due to the Prelude's design as a sport coupe.

Pricing for the Prelude has yet to be announced, but it is expected to be midway between the $33,500 Civic Sport Touring hybrid hatch and the $46,000 Type-R, around $37,000 to $38,000.

There is hope for a future Prelude Type-R with a 310-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual, but no confirmation has been made.

The Prelude is estimated to be approximately 177 to 180-inches long, making it around the same size as the 10th-generation Civic coupe. However, it does not have the same high power as the Hyundai Ioniq 5N, which has up to 640-hp.

The Prelude made its debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, and with its blend of performance, technology, and style, it is sure to turn heads when it hits the roads in September 2025.