Honda Prelude returns at $65,000

Honda has confirmed the long-awaited return of the Prelude to Australia, revealing a $65,000 drive-away price at the 2026 Melbourne motor show as the iconic coupe makes its comeback after a 25-year hiatus.

After more than two decades off the scene, the 2026 Honda Prelude returns with a very different formula to what enthusiasts may have expected.

The new-generation model adopts the Honda Civic’s 2.0-litre e:HEV hybrid system. Total system outputs sit at 147kW and 315Nm, with the electric motor delivering peak torque almost instantly.

That torque figure comfortably exceeds key rivals like the $44K Toyota GR86 (250Nm), though the Toyota edges ahead on power with 170kW.

The Subaru BRZ offers a similar rear-drive formula, starting from around $48,000, while the more powerful Nissan Z is priced at around $76K with its 298kW twin-turbo V6.

Honda’s justification for the Prelude’s premium positioning lies beneath the skin.

The coupe borrows heavily from the Civic Type R, including its dual-axis front suspension, adaptive dampers and Brembo braking package – hardware typically reserved for higher-end performance models.

A new feature dubbed ‘S+ Shift’ has also been introduced, simulating gear changes through engine sound and throttle inputs to replicate a more traditional performance driving feel despite the hybrid set-up.

Honda Australia Director of Automotive, Robert Thorp, described the model as “a bold reinterpretation of an iconic driver’s car for the hybrid era”.

The Prelude will be offered in a single, highly specified grade across five exterior colours, sold under Honda’s ‘One Price Promise’ agency model with no dealer negotiation on the cost of admission.

Standard ownership benefits include a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five scheduled services capped at $199 each.

Enthusiasts hoping for a coupe with more power can look at the Prelude Mugen for inspiration, and everyone is hoping that a Honda Prelude Type R will happen one day.

Orders for the new Prelude are now open, with first customer deliveries expected to follow shortly.

Its arrival signals Honda’s continued shift toward electrified performance models, though its positioning – both in price and drivetrain layout – is likely to divide traditional sports coupe buyers.

How much does the Honda Prelude cost?
Prelude e:HEV – $65,000 drive-away

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