A Honda hero returns: 2026 Honda Prelude back as a sporty two-door coupe with hybrid power to tackle Toyota 86 and Nissan Z and a question mark for Australia

Honda has confirmed the new Prelude will go on sale from late 2025 to early 2026, with hybrid power and a design faithful to the prototype.

The new 2026 Honda Prelude has been locked in for launch in Europe and the US, but Australia is yet to confirm the two-door sports car's arrival.

A Honda Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the brand has “no news to share regarding Prelude for our local market at this time”.

While it’s not off the cards for Australia, it may be some time before we know whether the Prelude will arrive Down Under.

A press release from Honda’s UK arm suggests the model will in fact be built in right-hand drive, meaning Australia isn’t out of the question.

Technical details aren’t confirmed yet, but the new Prelude is expected to be available as a similar hybrid drivetrain as seen in the Civic e:HEV, with similar continuously variable transmission (eCVT).

2026 Honda Prelude

A hybrid drivetrain will be its only option, with no manual transmission on the cards, however Honda has introduced a new ‘S+ Shift’ tech that will “simulate the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes”.

The technology is set to feature in all hybrid models from Honda going forward, starting with the Prelude.

The system “controls the engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration to realise direct drive response and sharp gear shifting”, with shift paddles allowing the driver to feel as if they’re changing gears.

By the time the new Prelude comes along, it will have been about 25 years since it was discontinued in its fifth generation after having launched for the first time in 1978.

2026 Honda Prelude