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2026 Honda Ridgeline ReviewSneak Peak: 2025 Honda Prelude
The new Honda Prelude concept channels 90s sport coupe looks while adding a compelling twist on the classic name: a new hybrid powertrain.
Honda Brings Back the Prelude with Hybrid Power
Hybrid propulsion that couples torquey electric motors with powerful internal combustion engines has become all the rage in the supercar segment, with wave-making powertrains found in cars ranging from the Koenigsegg Gemera to the Ferrari 296 GTB. Additionally, we’ve seen hybrid powertrains turn even the most humdrum of vehicles into legit sprinters. Take the Toyota RAV4 Prime for example which possesses next-level acceleration for a family crossover. For reference, the RAV4 Prime is neck-and-neck with the GR86 from zero to sixty at 5.5 versus 5.4 seconds, respectively.
And yet, enthusiasts have been waiting years for car companies to get their act together and implement a power-boosting hybrid powertrain in an affordable sports car. It looks like 2024 is the year when we’ll finally see this happen in the form of the all-new Honda Prelude. Notably, GM has made a similar move with the addition of the new hybrid-powered Corvette E-Ray. However, that car starts at $104,000, probably a steal in terms of performance but a far cry from what most of us would term “affordable.”
Old Name, New Tricks
Current automotive marketing strongly suggests that a company pick a storied retired nameplate to revive when launching a new vehicle. Thus, Honda’s forthcoming hybrid sport coupe will carry the Prelude name. The promise implicit in this choice is that Honda engineers will have figured out how to balance the added weight of a hybrid’s batteries with the handling expectations of enthusiasts who remember the Prelude of old.
The new Honda Prelude debuted at this year’s Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo with a follow-up appearance at the recent LA Auto Show. The concept, while incomplete, looks stunning and near production ready. Compelling details include a vintage Honda badge, harkening back to the last generation Prelude of the early 2000s, as well as a full lightbar in back with blocky Honda script underneath (reminiscent of current Porsches) below which is the Prelude badge written in vintage ‘90s font.
For now, Honda is keeping specifics of the new Prelude’s powertrain and running gear under wraps, leaving plenty of room for speculation. The Prelude will likely borrow some of its powertrain from the Civic/Accord/CR-V hybrid which pairs a 2.0L inline four-cylinder with two electric motors for 204 horsepower (212 hp in the Accord).
A major question, given the Prelude’s sporty ambitions and coupe body, is where the power will be sent. The above-mentioned Civic and Accord are front-wheel drive only, while the CR-V hybrid offers either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It’s therefore unlikely the Prelude will come with the sport coupe default rear-wheel drive. Nonetheless, Honda has proven more than competent at imbuing their front-wheel drive cars will plenty of sportiness (see the current Civic Type R).
The concept was equipped with blue Brembo performance brakes and carried a good bit of carbon fiber including the roof, side skirts, side mirrors, and rear wing, all of which could end up as dealer options. Looking at the concept, it is difficult to discern whether the rear will open as a trunk or a full hatch, though here’s hoping it will end up the latter.
As of this writing, it is unclear when or even if the compelling Prelude concept will be making its way to production. But Honda is set to unveil more of its upcoming electrified lineup at the upcoming CES (Consumer Electronics Show) event in Las Vegas, so hopefully we’ll see more of the Prelude then.
