The Honda Prelude is a true, unadulterated, two-door coupe. That’s nice, but you pay €12,500 more for that pleasure. Is it worth it?
Honda Prelude Advance – €56,764
The fact that we still get to experience this: a two-door coupé in 2026! Of course, we also find them from brands like Porsche and Ferrari, but in the less exotic corners of the automotive world, this body style is truly special. Even at BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, the number of coupes (and convertibles) is rapidly decreasing, and among ‘mainstream’ brands, they are practically non-existent. Honda is an exception to that rule. The new Prelude is an unadulterated coupé with its own unique body, and in that sense, certainly not a ‘Civic Coupé’.
In a technical sense, the latter is true to some extent. For example, the Prelude shares its 184 hp strong hybrid powertrain with the Civic and is therefore also just a front-wheel-drive car with a continuously variable transmission, although the S+ Shift function with simulated shift moments provides some sportiness and distinction. The chassis has also been adapted here and there compared to the Civic, and the dashboard looks slightly different.
However, that is acceptable, because with a price of €56,764, the Prelude is precisely €12,514 more expensive than an equally motorized and similarly equipped Civic. Such a Civic would be a robust Advance model, as that is currently the only trim level available for the Prelude. The cheaper Civic is not only more spacious and practical but also more luxurious in many respects. For example, the Prelude does not have a sunroof, no steering wheel heating, no electric seat adjustment, and fewer speakers than a Civic in Advance trim.
What does the Prelude offer then? Still quite a lot. Leather upholstery, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, adaptive cruise control, and a 9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and navigation are standard. On the outside, the Prelude also looks quite robust as standard, although the jet-black 19-inch wheels and privacy glass are not to everyone’s taste. Optionally, other 19-inch wheels are available with a polished element in the spoke, but these wheels are also largely black.
In good Japanese tradition, the option list is very short. In fact, it only contains accessories. The ‘Black Emblem Pack’ costs €300 and provides black logos, while the ‘Black Pack’ of €1,500 also adds some spoilers and lips. The standard paint color is black, and those who don’t want that can choose from white, gray, or bright blue. The interior is standard black but can be executed in a fresh combination of blue and white for just €250. Notably: the rear seat remains upholstered in a rather simple gray fabric in all cases. This is, after all, a jump seat, but still.
The black interior is standard; for €250, you get the lighter upholstery.
