The much-loved Honda Prelude is back on sale after 24 years – we get behind the wheel of the sporty two-door, now with hybrid power, at the press launch in the south of France
If you’re under 40, the significance of the return of the Honda Prelude might pass you by.
For the rest of us, the reborn coupe is an intriguing prospect, for a few reasons – not least its sleek look.
With a hint of the latest Toyota Prius up front, a rear that could grace a Porsche, and a purposeful stance, the stunning sixth-generation Prelude oozes kerb appeal.
Borrowing the tried and tested e:HEV full hybrid system from the Civic, plus the Type R’s suspension, it has classy genes.
Then there’s Honda’s new S shift system which aims to simulate a regular eight-speed transmission with wheel-mounted paddles.
Sporty coupes account for just 1% of UK sales in an automotive scene dominated by SUVs and small hatchbacks, so Honda isn’t looking to shift tens of thousands, but now there’s no Audi TT or Toyota GR86, the Prelude’s only real rival is the BMW 2 Series Coupe, so there is a business opportunity.
Priced from £40,995, the 2025 Prelude pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a small 1.1kWh battery and two electric motors making a total of 181bhp and 315Nm of torque.
The engine (sadly not the turbo used in the Type R) rarely drives the wheels itself. For the most part, it’s used a generator, sending energy to the e-motors.
The result is a combination of decent performance and economy. In fact, the 0-62mph sprint time of 8.3 seconds feels faster, thanks to the electric motors’ instant torque.
Most of the time you’re likely to just select D for Drive and head off with the default “dual electric motor automatic transmission”, though the Prelude doesn’t have a mechanical gearbox as such.
If you want to enhance your involvement, Honda has developed what it calls S Shift, which is meant to emulate a regular automatic gearbox in sound and feel.
Simply press the S Shift button on the steering wheel and use the paddle shifters to change between the simulated gears.
It’s a clever system, not unlike the virtual shifts available on the Hyundai Ioniq N EV.
However, Hyundai’s version turns up the volume with more active engine noise and better-judged gear ratios, resulting in a more rewarding and involving sporty drive.
While the S Shift is a little underwhelming, it is entertaining to have the option, and it’s at its most effective in Sport mode (the others are default GT, and Comfort).
Nevertheless, the new Prelude is still one of the most entertaining hybrids on the market.
Brake hard into a corner and the system will shift down and blip the throttle for you, but don’t expect the pops and crackles of the Ioniq N.
Honda has been more successful when it comes to the front-wheel drive Prelude’s handling.
Borrowing the dual-axis struts and adaptive damping setup from the potent Civic Type R, the Prelude delivers an engaging drive, though with more of an accent on ride comfort and refinement than outright performance.
Shod with quality Continental tyres, there’s plenty of grip through more challenging corners, while the Brembo brakes are progressive (rarely the case in a hybrid) and offer serious stopping power.
The suspension may be a little stiff for some, but at least the Prelude is agile and composed with little body lean.
Owners of the regular Civic will instantly feel at home inside the Prelude, which has much the same look and feel up front.
In other words, it’s a driver-focused cockpit which includes a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, plus a 9.0-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Wireless smartphone charging, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, a full suite of driver assistance and safety technology, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and supportive sports seats are also part of the package.
The driving position is suitably low and sporty, forward visibility is good, while the overall fit and finish is impressive, even if it lacks a wow factor.
As with most coupes, there’s a compromise when it comes to practicality. The truth is that the rear seats are only suitable for children. Lift the giant rear hatch and there’s a useful 264-litre load space, rising to 663 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Honda’s reputation for reliability may also be another plus point for the Prelude, along with low running costs. A claimed 54.3mpg is not be sniffed at – nor are C02 emissions of just 117g/km.
Ultimately, the new Prelude doesn’t quite live up to expectations, but it’s still a stunning, well-engineered coupe that handles well.
Verdict: The 2025 Honda Prelude has been reborn as an intriguing hybrid sports coupe. Elegant, economical, innovative and intriguing, it’s definitely worth a test drive – just don’t expect a two-door Civic Type R.
