The mainstream coupe segment is nearly dead. Companies like Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge used to offer front-wheel-drive, two-door vehicles based on their mainstream sedans, but all of them have since abandoned the segment.
Even Honda, long bearers of the flame, killed the Accord and Civic Coupes a few years ago. Yet, the company isn’t ready to give up on the idea of affordable, front-drive coupes; as everyone else retreats, Honda is doubling down.
This is the new sixth-generation Honda Prelude, which officially debuts in production form after more than a year of teasing. We saw the first prototype in Japan more than a year ago, but finally, Honda’s revived Prelude is nearly ready for the road.
The question is: Is the new Prelude good enough to revive the mainstream coupe segment? I recently spent time with the recently introduced production model to find out.
Performance: Hybrid Power, Type R Tuning
Photo by: Honda
The first five generations of Prelude were effectively Accord coupes, albeit with some fun add-ons. This one bucks that mold. It’s essentially a Civic Hybrid coupe this time around. It uses the same 200-horsepower two-motor hybrid system that eschews a conventional transmission as the Civic, and rides on the same platform.
Like with preceding Preludes, though, Honda has added a bit of special sauce to this new one. It’s designed to be a grand tourer targeted at enthusiasts, so it gets the same dual-axis front suspension as the Civic Type R. That should help avoid torque steer when all 232 pound-feet of torque reaches the front wheels. The Prelude also gets far nicer seats than the standard Civic.
The big news, however, is Honda S+ Shift. It’s Honda’s first foray into the new world of synthetic shifting. Because the two-motor system uses two electric motors facing one another in lieu of a transmission, there are no gears to shift in this high-performance Honda.
Photo by: Honda
Photo by: Honda
Given that the brand is famous for its manual transmissions, it opted to put fake gears in the Prelude. Activate the system with the S+ Shift button, and you’ll be able to swap imaginary cogs using the paddle shifters.
The Prelude comes in only one trim, with a standard 9.0-inch touch screen. It’s the same unit you get on top-trim Civics, with Google Built-In and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Honda’s full suite of active safety features also comes standard, including lane-centering and adaptive cruise control. All Preludes also get a Bose audio system.
There’s only one factory wheel option: 19-inch Berlina Black alloys. But dealers will offer optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) wheels, which are the ones to get.
Interior: A Fancier Civic
Photo by: Honda
Honda wouldn’t let me drive the Prelude or try out the S+ shifting, but I did get a hands-on look in the video above. I was reasonably impressed on first glance. The styling of the Prelude is both attractive and distinct from the Civic Hybrid, and I thought it looked great with the HPD spoiler and wheels fitted.
Inside, it’s much less distinct. Looking out from the driver’s seat, the Prelude looks and feels like a Civic. The major difference comes in the seats, which are just sensational. Anyone who has driven a current-generation Civic Type R will tell you that Honda makes some of the best seats for enthusiasts, and the Prelude’s are no different. They’re plush, leather-trimmed buckets with a perforated houndstooth pattern pulled from the old Honda City. I love them.
Photo by: Honda
Photo by: Honda
But while front-seat passengers get thrones, those in the back aren’t so lucky. Honda proudly points out that the “2+2” seating layout offers a “generous” 32.0 inches of rear leg room. That’s true, and at 5-foot-6-inches, I could easily sit behind my own driving position without bumping my legs against the seatback. It doesn’t matter, however, as my head was pressed against the C pillar and rear glass. As a smaller-than-average man, I would not tolerate more than a few minutes back there.
Drop those rear seats, and the Prelude gets much more practical. It’s now got a lift-back opening in the rear, giving you a wider opening for bulky cargo. Honda says you can fit golf bags back there and, to my eye, you should be able to squeeze in a bike with the front wheel removed. You can certainly fit enough cargo for a two-person road trip, though, so the grand touring mission seems achievable.
How Much Will the New Prelude Cost?
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Source: Honda
I liked the Prelude in person, even if its livability compromises make it a niche product. Ultimately, it’s easy to see why most companies have abandoned this segment. If you want a practical family vehicle, you’re going to demand four doors. If you want a sporty coupe, most people are going to opt for a purpose-built rear-wheel-drive machine like a Toyota GR86 or Ford Mustang.
But for those who want a sportier experience than a Civic without giving up on the fuel economy, smoothness, and reliability of a Honda hybrid, it could be a great option. It just comes down to how much it costs. For now, Honda isn’t saying.
But with the Prelude expected to hit dealerships in “late fall,” we should know soon enough.
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