The 2026 Prelude Is Getting Some of Honda’s Sportiest Hot Hatch Features

The upcoming Prelude will incorporate some choice components from the Honda parts bin.

Published July 24, 2025

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Updated July 24, 2025

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When the Honda Prelude concept first surfaced in 2023, it was unclear if the modernized icon would actually see the light of day.

After all, even though the sports car had previously enjoyed a production run spanning five generations and 23 years, over two decades had passed since its discontinuation.

a shot of the sixth-generation Honda prelude next to the first-generation prelude — The sixth-generation Honda Prelude (pictured left) promises to carry the innovative spirit of the original forward (pictured right) through its hybrid-electric drivetrain.

Thankfully, Honda recognized the potential (or at least the nostalgia) that comes with a revived Prelude. Last December, the Japanese automaker confirmed that the model would be returning to the North American market toward the end of 2025.

Up until now, Honda has played coy regarding output and performance specs. However, the Japanese automaker’s latest announcement has revealed several key details regarding the powertrain, chassis and suspension components. Here’s some of what you can expect when the Prelude lands later this year.

close-up showing supension setup on the upcoming honda prelude — For the first time, Honda is incorporating the dual-axis front suspension of the legendary Civic Type R on one of its non-Type R models.

Type R-chitecture

The big news is that Honda has confirmed that the 2026 Prelude will feature the suspension, the Brembo brakes and the front and rear tracks from the Civic Type R.

As Car and Driver reports, the model will not be competing with Honda’s top-of-the-line hot hatch. Still, this means that it will arrive in a sportier spec than the Civic Si. In other words, even if the Prelude promises to be a more relaxed sports car, Honda clearly means business.

honda prelude brembo — To ensure that the Prelude’s stopping power is up to snuff, Honda will also be fitting the hybrid-electric sports car with the same Brembo brakes that appear in the Civic Type R.

All the more so because this marks the first time that the trick dual-axis front suspension will make an appearance on a non-Type R model. Honda first introduced the design on the 2017 Civic Type R to eliminate torque steer, and the Acura Integra Type S is the only other model to have since benefited from the setup.

As with the Integra, Honda says that the suspension and brake systems will be tuned specifically for the new Prelude. In contrast to the uncompromising, performance-focused Civic Type R, it’s set to deliver a “sporty yet comfortable grand touring driving experience.”

close-up shot of Honda prelude eCVT shifter — As a hybrid, the Prelude won’t offer the option of a six-speed manual. However, Honda is introducing a new S+ Shift system to offer drivers more control.

Electrified thrills

Beyond the addition of some fancy Type R parts, Honda also announced that the Prelude will be powered by the same drivetrain that’s currently found in the Civic hybrid. In practice, this means that it will incorporate a pair of electric motors in conjunction with a 2.0–liter four-cylinder engine.

In the Civic, the setup is rated for 200 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque, so the 2026 Prelude will likely make similar (if not identical) numbers. While this means it won’t be as powerful as the 315-horsepower Type R, it does put it on par with the 200-horsepower Si.

Now, unfortunately, electrification does mean that Honda won’t be giving the upcoming Prelude the option of a manual transmission. Instead, the hybrid sports car will incorporate the brand’s direct-drive eCVT setup. The good news, though, is that Honda will be introducing a new S+ Shift system as a means to give owners a sportier, more dynamic driving experience.

front left three-quarter studio shot of a white honda prelude — Honda bills the Prelude as a sporty yet comfortable GT, so the model will likely slot in somewhere between the Civic Si and the Civic Type R.

More to come

According to Honda, the Prelude will arrive at the end of this year as a 2026 model. As such, it’s reasonable to expect a full reveal soon.

While Honda has yet to go into the model’s pricing, the available specifications suggest that it will slot in between the $31,400 Civic Si and the $47,045 Civic Type R. Moreover, given that a base Acura Integra starts at $33,000, it’s likely that prices for the Prelude will fall in the mid-$30,000 range.