2026 Honda Prelude Gets Hybrid Power, New Transmission Tech

After a solid year’s worth of speculation, Honda has finally pulled the wraps off the Prelude coupe, a rebirth of a classic we haven’t seen since the Clinton administration.

Indeed, the guesses have been rampant; was it just a Civic in drag? What about an Integra in drag? Something all-new? Something borrowed? Something blue?

Well, in the end it’s a bit all of those things.

It uses some chassis hardware from the Civic Type-R slash Integra Type S such as a dual-axis strut suspension and Brembo brakes; it gets an all-new S+ Shift drive mode; and it will be available with a blue exterior colour in some markets. And interior colour. And with blue contrast-colour stitching, and – you get the idea.

The real story is the powertrain. It’s called e:HEV because while it’s a hybrid, Honda claims it’s putting more emphasis on the “e” or “electric” part of its hybrid system. Thanks to an additional clutch pack, the Prelude will be able to use the electric motors (one generator, one for drive) more of the time – we’ve seen it elsewhere in the Honda line-up, with the Civic Hybrid being the obvious comparison in this particular instance. Power-wise, it makes 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque but thanks to the addition of the S+ Shift mode maybe – juuuuust maybe – this is more about how the Prelude delivers its power versus how much power it delivers.

What S+ Shift does (apart from seeming a bit of a swipe at the Hyundai Elantra N’s “N-Grin Shift” nomenclature) is what Honda says “simulates a performance transmission experience”. That may sound a bit nebulous because there’s no actual transmission at all; just a direct drive to the front wheels. Nevertheless, the tech does feature paddle shifters, downshift blips, rev-matching and longer gear holding. It’s obviously one of those things one has to try to really feel – and we will – but it sounds promising. And, if the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and new Lexus RZ F Sport are any indication, a simulated manual really can add a refreshing element of the analogue to the world’s digitized EVs. Imagine what one could do for a car with an actual gas engine, like the Prelude? Add adjustable dampers that change with the drive mode, and we’re starting to see some upmarket features in a hatchback coupe that doesn’t have a luxury marque on its snout.

Speaking of digitization: there’s plenty of it inside the Prelude. A standard 10.2” gauge cluster, 9” central HD infotainment display, Google Built-In, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Bose Centerpoint premium sound system are all on-hand inside the driver-focused cabin.

How driver-focused? Well, the prelude’s designers lowered the cowl, thinned out the A-pillar, flattened out the bottom of the steering wheel, added a blue centering band and dropped in a pair of racing-inspired seats with asymmetrical side-bolsters and houndstooth inserts. Cool.

Looks-wise, it’s pretty cool as well – especially in profile, where it bares a striking resemblance to the Alpine A110 Cayman-fighter and gets a specialized welding technique for a smoother roofline. Up front, there’s a clear connection with other Hondas in the way the leading edge of the hood separates the headlights. 19” Berlina Black wheels wrapped in performance rubber come as standard and there’s also a full-width taillight to help lower the Prelude’s stance.

We’re in a wait-and-see mode for pricing for the 2026 Honda Prelude, but that should come not long after you read this. Either way; we’re excited for the return of the Honda performance coupe.