The 2026 Honda Prelude Gets Civic Type R Chassis But Only 200 HP

Honda revealed the highly anticipated 2026 Prelude today and, as expected, it will feature high performance chassis technology, but no more power than the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid.

A Hot Hybrid?

Honda’s two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain has impressed many with its smooth, silky performance, though it won’t win many spec sheet battles, because just like in the Civic Hybrid, the system makes just 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque in the Prelude. While that’s roughly the same as the much-loved Civic Si, it’s over a 100 hp less than the Civic Type R, around 30 less than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, and the same amount less than the Subaru BRZ.

Honda has yet to provide further performance specs, though, so 0-100 km/h times have not yet been announced, nor have fuel economy figures. For what it’s worth, Civic Hybrid takes around six seconds to reach 100 km/h and consumes 4.9 L/100 km in combined driving. The two-door Prelude will likely be lighter than the Civic, though, so those figures could vary slightly.

Fortunately, Honda says that Prelude drivers’ experience will differ from either of those vehicles, though. For one thing, unlike the Civic Hybrid, it will feature the automaker’s new S+ Shift system, which features simulated shifting and rev-matching despite the fact that the car doesn't actually have a transmission.

In fact, the internal combustion engine (ICE) only ever sends its power directly to the wheels during high-speed cruising. Otherwise, it’s used to charge the battery, and the electric motor powers the wheels. However, while charging the battery, the engine can run at many speeds to better reflect travel speed.

For the Prelude, Honda has tuned the engine to simulate gears that can be “selected” with the shift paddles. The system is quite sophisticated, so it features gear holding and downshift blips while the vehicle is slowing down.

Better still, Honda has equipped the Prelude with a specially tuned version of the dual-axis front suspension from the Civic Type R. This torque-steer-taming technology is part of what makes the hot hatch such an effective front-wheel-drive track weapon and this is the first time it is being equipped to a hybrid vehicle.

For the Prelude, Honda says the suspension has been engineered to deliver driving-enthusiast-approved grip without giving up on everyday comfort. Making the ride even more supple will be the adaptive dampers, which can make the ride softer or stiffer depending on what drive mode the vehicle is in.

To help the Prelude slow down in a sporty fashion, Honda equipped it with 350.5 mm (13.8-inch) diameter, lightweight two-piece front brake discs up front and 304.8 mm (12-inch) rear discs. At the front, four-piston monobloc calipers from Brembo help clamp on the discs and are painted blue.

A Handsome Cabin

In another first, the Prelude will be equipped with asymmetrical front seats. That means that while the driver gets heavily bolstered, sporty front seats, the front passenger gets a slightly less sporty (but more comfortable) seat that features less side bolstering.

Both seats look the same, though, and are covered in synthetic leather with a centre panel that features a houndstooth pattern. Buyers will be offered one of two colour-ways: a two-tone setup in white and blue or a simpler all black interior.

Farther back, the rear seats offer 812.8 mm (32 inches) of legroom. For comparison, the Civic Hybrid has 950 mm (37.4 inches) of legroom. No word yet on how much headroom is sacrificed to the Prelude's sloping roofline, but the seats fold in a 60/40 split and, when they're flat, the luggage compartment is large enough to accommodate a golf bag.

In terms of technology, the Prelude will only be available in one, well-equipped trim, meaning that buyers will get a Bose sound system, as well as a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a nine-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in technology. Honda’s suite of safety technology, including pedestrian detection, front collision warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more are also included in the base price.

Unfortunately, Honda has not yet revealed what that base price will be in Canada, but it has said that the two-door coupe will reach showrooms here before the end of the year.