The Return of a Legend: The 2026 Honda Prelude

An icon is back. After 24 years of absence, the Honda Prelude is making its return for 2026, and it arrives with a bold mission: to be the first electric sport hybrid coupe to marry pure driving pleasure with modern energy efficiency.

For those who grew up with the Prelude of the 1980s and 1990s, the name evokes specific memories. Four-wheel steering. ATTS torque vectoring system. Elegant design. Accessible performance. The Prelude has always been the sport coupe for drivers who wanted something special without going to the extreme.

The sixth generation continues this tradition while reinventing itself for the electrified era.

A Hybrid Sport Coupe Designed for Grand Touring

In Canada, Honda unveiled the 2026 Prelude on September 4, 2025, in Markham, Ontario. The vehicle is expected to arrive at Canadian dealerships by the end of 2025. This new Prelude is not trying to be a Type R. Instead, it aims for the grand touring experience: engaging performance, daily comfort, and energy efficiency.

The two-motor hybrid system borrows its technology from the Civic Hybrid, winner of the "2025 North American Car of the Year" award. This system combines two large electric motors with a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle direct-injection gasoline 4-cylinder engine to produce 200 horsepower and a robust 232 pound-feet of torque.

This power from the electric motors transforms the driving experience of a sport coupe. Crisp acceleration when exiting corners. Immediate response to the right-foot input. All while maintaining exceptional fuel consumption (which Honda has not yet officially revealed), which is expected to rival that of the Civic Hybrid.

The Civic Type R Chassis Meets Hybrid

Here is where the 2026 Prelude gets truly interesting. It is the first Honda model to combine the two-motor hybrid system with the high-performance chassis hardware from the legendary Civic Type R.

Key elements borrowed from the Type R:

• Dual-axis strut front suspension
• Wider tracks (stance) at the front and rear
• $13.8\text{-inch}$ ($350\text{-mm}$) front Brembo brakes with four-piston monoblock calipers
• $12.0\text{-inch}$ ($304.8\text{-mm}$) rear brakes

Honda then adapted these components specifically for the Prelude. The standard adaptive damper suspension offers distinct damping characteristics in each driving mode: Comfort, GT, Sport, and Individual. These settings control the powertrain response, steering assist level, suspension damping, engine sound, dashboard display, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The result: a Prelude that can be comfortable for your daily commutes between Lachenaie and Montreal, then transform into an engaging machine for your weekend getaways in Charlevoix or the Laurentians.

Honda S+ Shift: Simulating the Performance Transmission Experience

The 2026 Prelude introduces the Honda S+ Shift technology, a new driving mode that simulates the experience of a geared transmission. It is an evolution of the Linear Shift Control system already present on certain Honda hybrids.

The S+ Shift device precisely manages the engine speed and integrates steering wheel paddles to offer quick simulated gear changes. The system coordinates the engine and the high-output electric motor to create authentic sensations: downshifting with a throttle blip (rev-matching), holding the selected gear, and instantaneous responses.

For purists who truly enjoy driving, this technology offers the engagement of a manual or dual-clutch transmission without sacrificing the efficiency of the hybrid eCVT system. Honda plans to integrate the S+ Shift technology into future electric hybrid models.

Distinctive Design and Premium Details

The 2026 Prelude stands out visually with aggressive proportions. Its flared fenders covering large $19\text{-inch}$ wheels in a machined Berlina Black finish, fitted with $235/40\text{R19}$ tires, are noticeable. The Prelude's wide stance is accentuated by wing-shaped LED daytime running lights and full-width dual horizontal taillights.

Details include a black chrome grille and blue accents at the front and rear centers that emphasize the coupe's low and sporty position. This same blue hue appears on the four-piston front Brembo brake calipers, adding style and impressive stopping power.

Three bold colors will be available in Canada: Winter Frost Pearl (new), Crystal Black Pearl, and Rally Red.

Driver-Focused Interior:

The Prelude's cockpit offers an immersive driver's station with a clean and elegant design. Ultra-premium front sport seats in soft leather with integrated racing-inspired headrests and asymmetrical padding to balance driver support and passenger comfort. Contrasting blue stitching. Perforated houndstooth pattern. A Prelude logo is etched into the headrest.

The model also features a thick, flat-bottom steering wheel with contrasting blue stitching, a 12 o’clock position marker, and alloy paddle shifters mounted on the wheel.

Two striking color combinations are possible: blue and white two-tone or black, both with contrasting blue accent stitching.

Safety and Assistance Technologies

The 2026 Prelude benefits from Honda's commitment to "Safety for Everyone." This is why the Honda Sensing safety suite is standard. It includes the following elements:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with pedestrian detection
• Forward Collision Warning
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) incorporating Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Driver Attention Monitor
• Rear Cross-Traffic Monitor
• Blind Spot Information (BSI) System
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition System
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

Honda's proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, new-generation airbag technology designed to cradle the head and provide enhanced protection for front passengers, as well as front knee airbags and rear side airbags, are all standard.

A Place in Honda’s Electrification Strategy

The Prelude is part of Honda's ambitious electrification plan. Electric hybrid models represent approximately $40\%$ of Honda Canada's sales, thanks to the success of the CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and Civic Hybrid. Honda plans to expand its hybrid portfolio to represent more than $60\%$ of total sales in the coming years.

The first three products in the Honda lineup in the 1970s were the Civic, the Accord, and the Prelude. Soon, all three will be back together in the Honda passenger car lineup as hybrids.

Availability and Next Steps

Honda Canada has confirmed that the 2026 Prelude will arrive at Canadian dealerships by the end of 2025. Details on pricing, specific versions, and fuel consumption will be clarified with the model's arrival.

For enthusiasts who grew up with the Prelude or for a new generation of drivers looking for a distinctive, efficient, and engaging sport coupe, the wait is almost over.

Would you like to be among the first to discover the new Prelude? Sign up for the waiting list at Lallier Honda 640 in Lachenaie. Our team will keep you informed as soon as final details are available and orders are open.