The Honda Prelude is returning for the 2026 model year, and it is a hybrid. But then, what is the Honda Prelude? Why is everyone excited about the hybrid reincarnation of a Honda? We've got you covered. Here's everything you need to know about the Honda Prelude cars. The Honda Prelude was a sporty coupe of the 1980s and 90s. It was sold over five generations, starting from 1978, through 2001. And now, after a sabbatical of over 20 years, the Prelude is returning to the Honda lineup. Today, we'll be comparing this upcoming 2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid with its mighty predecessors. History Of The Honda PreludeFirst Generation Honda Prelude (1978-1982)1979 Honda Prelude Coupe The very first Honda Prelude saw the light of day in 1978 in Japan. It was a name that aligned with Honda's music-themed nameplates. Prelude is the name given to an orchestral opening to an act of an opera. The first-gen Prelude was a boxy, front-engine, front-wheel-drive compact sports car. Even though it was built on a bespoke chassis, it borrowed its underpinnings from the Accord of the time. Power came from a 72-hp Accord-sourced 1.7-liter 4-cylinder engine. However, the first-gen Prelude failed to generate significant sales. Second Generation Honda Prelude (1982-1987)1985 Honda Prelude Si Coupe The second generation Honda Prelude was unveiled in Japan by the end of 1982. The new Prelude was built on an all-new platform and followed a similar design language. Yet, it looked sleeker and more squared off. It was also the first Prelude to sport pop-up headlamps. A 100-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder was the initial power source. However, a 110-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder was offered later. It was exclusive to the 1986-1987 Honda Prelude Si models. Third Generation Honda Prelude (1987–1991) 1991 Honda Prelude Si Coupe This is where things actually get interesting. The third generation Honda Prelude arrived in 1987 as a JDM car. It was later sold worldwide in the subsequent year. This particular car featured design cues from the then-upcoming Honda NSX. It was not just about the design. The third-gen Honda Prelude was a technologically advanced machine. It was equipped with a 4-wheel-steering system and had a 0.34 drag coefficient. The power sources also got considerably more advanced and potent. Under the hood was Honda's iconic B20A engine series, which offered up to 140 horsepower. Fourth Generation Honda Prelude (1991-1996)1995 Honda Prelude Coupe The fourth-gen Prelude shed its predecessors' sharper styling for a more curvaceous aesthetic. On top of that, for the first time, the Prelude was now offered with a VTEC engine option. This now made it, a true high-performance sports car, second only to the Acura NSX. Max power available now stood at an impressive 187 horses. 0-60 took only around seven seconds. Fifth Generation Honda Prelude (1996-2001) 1999 Honda Prelude Type SH Coupe The 1996 Honda Prelude marks the inception of the car's fifth and final generation. This Prelude flaunted a unique design language, distinctive from its older generations. It was a blend of the sharp lines of the early Preludes and the curvy design of the third and fourth generations. Rear-wheel-steering was no longer an option, but something more advanced was offered. Some fifth-gen Preludes had Honda's Active Torque Transfer System. They were called Type S in Japan, VTi-S in Europe and Type SH in the U.S. However, as Acura gained more popularity, Honda pulled the plug on the Prelude. The last Honda Prelude left the factory in 2001. The All-New 2026 Honda Prelude HybridHonda Prelude Concept Over its five generations, the Honda Prelude achieved unique stature. Among the flashier sports cars of the time, it was considered the mature person's choice. As of now, Honda has decided to bring the Prelude back; but this time as a hybrid. The 2026 Honda Prelude Concept was first showcased last year, at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Recently, Honda has confirmed that the sixth generation Honda Prelude will arrive soon. The 2026 Honda Prelude will be showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, this weekend. They have also confirmed that the new Prelude will be sold in the U.K., as early as 2025. We expect it to arrive by late 2025, as a 2026 model-year car. The 2026 Honda Prelude looks suave and sophisticated. It is reminiscent of its ancestors. The design language stylishly integrates sharp lines with voluptuous curves. The upcoming Honda Prelude is the most similar to the fourth-generation Prelude. What Powers The 2026 Honda Prelude?Honda Prelude Concept As for the powertrain, the 2026 Honda Prelude is confirmed to sport a hybridized motor. We aren't sure about the specifics right now, but we have our intuitions. The 2026 Honda Prelude may use a 2.0-liter hybrid setup. This could be the same unit found in the new Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and the Honda Accord Hybrid. However, the Prelude is a sports car. So, it would most likely get a different, more aggressive state of tune. We expect the new Prelude to produce upwards of 204 horsepower. If Honda manages to endow it with engaging dynamics, this little Honda hybrid might turn out to be a hit. But, we should keep in mind something said by Honda's chief engineer, Tomoyuki Yamagami. In November 2023, he spoke to Australia's CarsGuide. He said, “This isn’t going to be the sportiest, zippiest car that's going to be tossed into the circuits, so that’s one thing.” In conclusion, we'll have to wait and see. It all depends on how Honda tunes the hybrid powertrain of the new Prelude. However, the newcomer might live up to its legendary reputation. If it is anything comparable to the Toyota GR 86 or the Mazda Miata, then we're in for a wonderful treat. Source: Honda, Car And Driver, CarsGuide Australia, MotorTrend, Road&Track
