LET’S GO: Honda finally unveils the Prelude in production form

This is it! After two years of previews, staggered announcements, and many teasers, Honda has finally taken the covers off the full production version of the much-awaited reborn version of the iconic Prelude nameplate.

Revealed in concept form at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, the revival comes more than two decades since the previous generation left production, and will take the spot left empty by the now-discontinued coupé versions of the Civic and Accord sedans.

The production Honda Prelude stays true to the concept version and different prototypes we saw in the past two years. 

The front fascia is highlighted by slim headlights that are connected by a chiseled light bar. A large opening on the bumper serves as the front grille. Meanwhile, the side is made up of smooth and clean lines with flushed door handles, and the rear gets a horizontal light bar for the taillights, and the Honda name spelled-out.

A horizontal blue accent also adds a bit of flair to the front and rear bumpers. The Prelude rides on 19-inch alloy wheels finished in Berlina Black, which feature a noise-reducing design, and are wrapped in 235/40 tires.

Inside, it follows Honda’s signature design trend with horizontal air vents that have a honeycomb grille design. Unique to the Prelude is its raised center console which is home to the push-button gear selector, parking brake, and drive mode buttons.

The dashboard is finished with a suede material, and just like the original Prelude, it comes in a 2+2 seating layout, with the front occupants having specially-designed sport bucket seats for better body holding (driver) and added comfort (front passenger). 

Features include a 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system making use of Honda’s latest HondaConnect operating system that features Google Built-in, and an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system.

As for colors, there are a total of five pairings available. The Moonlit White Pearl exterior paint job option can be paired with either a Blue x White or Blue x Black interior color scheme, while Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and Frame Red exteriors are all paired with a Blue x White interior.

On the performance side of things, the Honda Prelude shares a lot with the Civic and its high-performance Civic Type R counterpart.

Under the hood is Honda’s e:HEV powertrain which pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct injection engine to dual electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. The engine makes 141 horsepower and 182Nm of torque, while the motors make 184 horsepower and 315Nm. 

The system is exclusively mated to an E-CVT, yes, no manual transmission for the Prelude. Despite that, Honda guarantees a fun-to-drive experience with its new S+ Shift drive mode. Revealed last year, this simulates the sound and feel of eight virtual gear shifts. 

Three distinct drive modes: Sport, GT, and Comfort, are also selectable, while an Individual mode allows users to customize between six different settings: Powertrain, Steering, Suspension, Instrument Meter, Engine Sound, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

It will also be making use of the Civic Type R’s dual-axis strut front suspension design, its first application in a non-Type R Honda, which should provide better handling and road-hugging performance, while being retuned for additional comfort. 

An enhanced version of Agile Handling Assist is also equipped, along with a high-response steering system, also for better handling. This is matched with an adaptive damper system (ADS) for better damping control and Brembo front brakes.

The all-new Honda Prelude will first be made available in Japan starting September 5, 2025 with a retail price of 6,179,800 yen (roughly Php 2.4-million), with other markets to follow soon after.

Now for the big question, will it come to the Philippines? We have the right to think yes, as Honda Cars Philippines posted their own teasers on social media last year. While this is likely to align with a regional or global directive, it would only make sense to post teasers for a new product if it is coming to the market.

One thing’s for sure, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for any additional signs of it entering the Philippine market. Good times, for sure!

_{Photos from Honda}