A Revival Fans Still Can’t Agree On
The return of the Honda Prelude has turned into one of the decade’s more polarizing revivals, maybe even more contentious than the MK5 Toyota GR Supra reboot. Some purists argue that the new coupe’s hybrid powertrain and its calmer approach to performance stray far from its predecessors, or so they say. Others insist the outrage is overstated and rooted more in nostalgia than in any objective shortfall of the car itself.
The discourse isn’t helped by the fact that the new model’s personality differs from what many expected, though that’s partly because it wasn’t shaped around the icon it ended up reviving. As reported by Drive, Honda didn’t set out to build a new Prelude at all. The name only came up after engineers had already shaped the car into something that needed a proper identity. According to Honda Motor Company boss Toshihiro Mibe, the team simply realized the project fit what the Prelude name once stood for.
The Name Came Later, Says Honda
Speaking with Drive after the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe explained that the project began as an effort to bring a new sporty hybrid into the brand’s lineup. With the NSX gone and kei-sports like the S660 discontinued, Honda wanted something that filled the gap without necessarily invoking past badges.
“It wasn’t like we decided to redevelop the Prelude in the first place; it was named after the development,” Mibe said, adding that the team only recognized the fit once the car’s direction had become clear. Honda simply needed a name that matched the personality of the car they were building, and Prelude emerged as the most natural choice.
A Tech Testbed Once Again
Other details reinforce the idea that the name eventually worked out. The new Prelude is the first Honda to introduce S+ Shift, a feature that simulates gear-shifting behavior and engine sound even though the car uses an e-CVT. Honda confirmed the system will spread to future hybrids like the Civic and CR-V, making the Prelude a launch platform for tech that will ripple across the lineup.
It’s accidental, yes, but fitting if you think about it. Historically, the Prelude nameplate has been Honda’s testbed for more experimental ideas. Remember the Type SH with the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS) Technology? The 2026 model assumes that role with the S+ Shift, even if the revival wasn’t part of the plan in the first place. It’s serendipitous, if you ask us.
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