Honda’s “upcoming sports car” is the sixth-generation Prelude—and it is no longer upcoming. Honda launched the production car in Japan on September 5, 2025, and now lists U.S. specifications and prices for the 2027 model. It is a front-wheel-drive hybrid 2+2 coupe that pairs efficiency-minded power with chassis hardware derived from the Civic Type R.
What happened to Honda’s upcoming sports car?
The car is the sixth-generation Honda Prelude, a production hybrid coupe rather than a future concept. Its arrival date depends on the market: Honda says sales began in Japan on September 5, 2025, while its U.S. site currently presents the car as a 2027 model. Honda’s January 2026 North American press kit describes the production model and its equipment.
Honda also announced a Japanese-market 2027 Limited Edition for sale on August 20, 2026. That edition has a Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic exterior and Bordeaux-and-black interior; Honda Japan listed its suggested retail price at ¥6,306,300, including Japan’s 10% consumption tax. This is a Japan-specific price and should not be used to estimate U.S. costs.
What powertrain and performance figures does it have?
The Prelude combines a 1,993-cc Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with Honda’s two-motor hybrid system. For the U.S. 2027 model, American Honda lists 200 horsepower of total system output and 232 lb-ft of traction-motor torque. The 200-hp figure is the output of the complete hybrid system, not the gasoline engine alone.
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- This plastic model requires assembly and painting. Adhesives, tools, paints, etc., sold separately
- 1/24 scale unpainted plastic model assembly kit
- Size when completed: Total length 7.4 inches (189 mm), Total width 3.4 inches (87 mm), Total height
- In addition to rooms with horizontal base panel and large LCD meter, the back of the chassis and around the feet are finished with a 3D feel
- Includes metal inlet markings such as emblems and window mask seals
Honda lists EPA fuel economy of 46 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined for the U.S. model. Those figures make efficiency a conspicuous part of the car’s brief, alongside its sports-coupe styling and chassis equipment.
Front-wheel drive, with simulated shifts
The Prelude is front-wheel drive and uses an electric direct-drive unit. Its four drive modes are Comfort, GT, Sport, and Individual. Honda’s S+ Shift feature coordinates the motors, engine rpm, and paddle shifters to simulate the experience of an eight-speed performance transmission. It is a shift simulation and control feature—not a conventional eight-speed gearbox.
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![Hot Wheels '98 Honda Prelude [Black] Factory Fresh 5/5, 136/250-1:64 Scale Diecast Toy Vehicle](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZN+ASRSEL._SL160_.jpg)
- 1998 Honda Prelude in a Sleek Black Finish!
- Number 5/5 in the Factory Fresh Set! Number 136/250 in the Overall Series!
- 1:64 Scale Diecast Toy Vehicle
How is the Prelude’s chassis set up?
Honda says the car uses Civic Type R-derived dual-axis front suspension and broad tracks, plus Brembo four-piston front calipers and adaptive dampers specially tuned for the Prelude. That hardware signals a deliberate effort to give the hybrid coupe more sporting responses, but it does not change the basic layout: this is a front-wheel-drive grand-touring-style car, not a rear-wheel-drive track coupe.
Honda positions the Prelude around a balance of sporty driving and GT comfort. The equipment and layout support that middle-ground role: the car has performance-oriented front suspension and brakes, selectable drive modes, and an efficiency-focused hybrid powertrain.
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- This plastic model requires assembly and painting. Adhesives, tools, paints, etc., sold separately
- 1/24 scale unpainted plastic assembly kit
- Size when assembled: total length 7.1 inches (180 mm), total width 3.2 inches (82 mm), total height 2.1 inches (
- faithfully reproduces the aerodynamic shape of the Honda Prelude XX
- Decals recreate front and rear emblems, headcover logos, speakers, and wheel center emblems
What are the U.S. trims and prices?
Honda’s U.S. 2027 specifications page lists two versions and their starting prices. These are Honda’s listed starting prices; confirm the current offer, destination charges, and dealer terms with the seller.
| U.S. 2027 version | Honda-listed starting price |
|---|---|
| Hybrid | $42,400 |
| Hybrid Two-Tone | $42,900 |
Price presentations can differ across sources. AP News, reporting on an Edmunds test, gave a 2027 Prelude price of $43,595, while Honda’s current page lists the two starting prices above. The cited accounts do not explain whether the figures use the same treatment of destination charges, so they should not be compared as equivalent all-in prices without checking what each includes.
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Can it work as a practical coupe?
Honda describes the Prelude as a 2+2 with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It is also the first Prelude with a liftback, according to Honda’s press kit, which gives it a broad cargo opening rather than the more restricted trunk access of a conventional coupe.
In its comparison of the Prelude and Toyota GR86, AP News reported 15.1 cubic feet of hatchback-style cargo capacity for the Prelude and cited the car’s 44-mpg combined figure. The outlet characterized the Honda as more comfortable, efficient, and practical, while saying the GR86 offers a more connected driving experience and a lower entry price. Those are the outlet’s judgments from its comparison, not guarantees about how every driver will rank the cars.
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How does it compare with the Toyota GR86?
The Prelude and GR86 are both coupe-shaped choices, but they emphasize different things. The comparison reported by AP News and Edmunds highlights the useful distinctions:
| Decision point | Honda Prelude | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive layout and powertrain | Front-wheel-drive, two-motor hybrid | Rear-wheel drive; AP News’s comparison discusses it as the more connected driving choice |
| Shifting | S+ Shift simulates an eight-speed performance-transmission experience; it is not a conventional stepped automatic | AP News’s comparison notes an available manual transmission |
| Efficiency | Honda lists 44 mpg combined under EPA testing for the U.S. 2027 model | Not stated in the cited comparison |
| Ride, handling, and practicality | AP News characterized it as more comfortable and practical; its account reported 15.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity | AP News characterized it as offering a more connected driving experience |
| Price | Honda lists U.S. 2027 starting prices of $42,400 and $42,900 for the two versions; AP News separately reported $43,595 | AP News characterized it as having a lower entry price; the cited comparison does not state a figure here |
The choice is not simply between two interchangeable sports cars. The Prelude prioritizes hybrid efficiency, comfort, and hatchback usefulness while retaining sporting hardware. The GR86’s rear-drive layout and available manual may matter more to drivers seeking a more direct, traditional coupe experience. Test-driving both is the best way to judge the trade-off; verify current prices and what they include before comparing them.
Where is the Prelude built?
Honda says the Prelude is built at its Yorii Plant in Japan on the same production line as the Civic Type R. The two-motor hybrid powertrain is also produced in Japan.
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