The 2026 Honda Prelude has one model level, $43,195. Despite costing $12,705, the most efficient 2026 Civic Hybrid shares the Prelude’s 200-hp hybrid drivetrain. Honda also disclosed the Prelude’s EPA fuel efficiency: 44 mpg total, 41 highway, and 46 city. Since its September debut, the automotive internet has tried to predict where the resurrected brand will slot in Honda’s lineup. The 2026 Honda Prelude’s price has also been the subject of debate. Since Honda has announced the price as the first Preludes arrive in US stores, the focus can turn from price to value. The Prelude will have one trim level, beginning at $43,195. The single Prelude has a 200-horsepower hybrid powertrain, Civic Type R suspension, and perforated houndstooth heated front seats. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and eight-speaker Bose audio system are also included. A 10.2-inch digital dashboard, 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger are also included. Except for the dual-axis front strut suspension and adjustable dampers in the $47,090 Civic Type R, the Civic Hybrid’s powertrain—a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, one electric motor, and a direct-drive gearbox—is mostly the same. But the gas-electric Civic is only $12,705 cheaper than the $30,490 Prelude. The sole Prelude alteration is the S+ Shift system, which aims to hold gears and rev-match on downshifts to simulate more aggressive shift tuning. Because of its affordability, the Prelude stands out in the American auto sector. It competes with Japanese tiny coupes like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86 due to its two-door design. However, manual gearboxes and, in the case of the Toyobaru twins, more powerful engines make these vehicles more tempting, and they start at prices $8K to $12K lower. A 480-hp V-8 Mustang GT costs $5360 less than the Prelude, which costs $8880 more than the most efficient four-cylinder 2026 Ford Mustang with 315 horsepower. The 2026 BMW 2-series’ rear-wheel-drive 230i, with a 255-hp four-cylinder engine and premium categorization, starts at $42,875, just below the Prelude. There are no equivalent hybrid coupes under $100,000 in the US, so the Prelude’s hybrid drivetrain and sleek two-door form will be its key selling point. Honda claimed that the Prelude’s fuel efficiency is higher than that of the other coupes on this list, with 46 mpg in the city, 41 on the highway, and 44 overall. Honda has stated that it expects to sell every vehicle it makes, but only time will tell if this is enough to differentiate the Prelude and attract buyers.
