--- title: "The New Honda Prelude Won’t Be a Serious Sports Car—and That’s OK" description: "Honda doesn't intend the upcoming Prelude hybrid to be a hardcore sports car, which is fine by us. That was never the Prelude's bag, anyway." date: "2023-11-10" modified: "2023-11-10" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-new-honda-prelude-wont-be-a-serious-sports-car-and-thats-ok" categories: - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Coupe" - "honda" - "hybrid" --- # The New Honda Prelude Won’t Be a Serious Sports Car—and That’s OK ![2026 Honda Prelude]() *\Honda\* The [Honda Prelude Concept]() was one of the standouts surprises of last month's [Japan Mobility Show](). And while it certainly looked as svelte and charming as you'd hope a new Prelude would, key details—from the precise nature of the coupe's hybrid drivetrain, to where Honda even intends to sell it—still remain mysteries. It's too soon to talk hard numbers of course, but fresh comments from Honda Chief Engineer Tomoyuki Yamagami have provided us with a solid idea of what to look forward to when the Prelude is ultimately resurrected later this decade. In short, don't expect a track toy. "This isn’t going to be the sportiest, zippiest car that’s going to be tossed into the circuits, so that’s one thing," Yamagami told Australian outlet *[CarsGuide]()*. "This is going to be the prelude for all of the electric vehicles that Honda is going to be launching." That might be something of a disappointment to anyone expecting a bonafide challenger to the likes of the [Toyota GR86]() and [Subaru BRZ]() duo, [Mazda Miata](), or [Volkswagen GTI](). But then, that's never really what the [original Prelude]() was about. There's certainly space for a stylish, tech-forward, fun-to-drive, and comfortable "personal" coupe that's thrilling enough on a day-to-day basis, even if it's not the [perfect base for a hot-lapping weapon](). Like the CR-Z, but with a smidge more power. That's really all that hybrid hatch [truly needed](), anyway. ![]() *Maddox Kay/The Drive* Yamagami also described the Prelude as a "global model," with both left- as well as right-hand-drive versions in the works. Good news that should quell any concern that the automaker is squarely targeting the compact coupe for markets outside North America. On paper, the upcoming Prelude is thoroughly a 1990s throwback in the best possible way: a warm, if not piping-hot, two-door with attractive but hardly aggressive styling, and hopefully an affordable price tag to match. If this is genuinely a precursor for the sort of electrified vehicles Honda's dreaming up for the future, then the automaker's pulling its inspiration from the right places. Just *please* give it enough power this time, [Honda](). The 204-horsepower two-liter four-cylinder and dual-motor combo of the [Accord Hybrid]() would make for plenty. ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()