The Legend Returns: Honda Prelude Set for Australian Comeback in 2026

Honda has officially confirmed that the iconic Prelude nameplate will return to Australian roads in mid-2026, marking a bold new chapter for the brand and a powerful nod to one of its most celebrated nameplates.

“We’re thrilled to add this iconic nameplate to the Honda line-up next year,” said Robert Thorp, Director of Automotive at Honda Australia. “Prelude taps into a rare combination of nostalgia and performance with broad appeal across generations of Honda customers, old and new.”

First unveiled globally with a 2025 launch date, the all-new Prelude is positioned as a “specialty sports” hybrid coupe, fusing Honda’s next-gen e:HEV hybrid tech with the kind of driving joy and emotional connection that defined the original.

A Prelude to Electrified Excitement

Inspired by the graceful motion of a glider, the new Prelude has been built around a core design philosophy dubbed “Unlimited Glide” — a concept that blends dynamic performance with smooth, flowing motion. The goal? To create a vehicle that’s both exhilarating and effortless, offering everyday usability with the heart of a true sports coupe.

Honda promises that this sixth-generation model will retain the brand’s signature “joy of driving,” but reimagined for the electrified era, prioritising precision handling, responsive performance, and low environmental impact.

Design: Low, Sleek, and Purposeful

Visually, the Prelude stays true to its roots with a low-slung profile, a sharply sculpted nose, and a wide, confident stance. Flush door handles, glider-inspired headlights, and black chrome accents on the grille all add to the sense of sophistication and aerodynamics.

Inside, the cabin takes the glide theme further with a “Blue × White” motif that brings a calming, high-tech feel. The driver-focused cockpit features a D-shaped steering wheel, sporty seats with extra bolstering, and a full-graphic meter exclusive to Prelude. Front passenger comfort hasn’t been forgotten either, with a more relaxed, enveloping seat designed for long-haul serenity.

Detailed touches like an ivory-textured instrument panel reminiscent of Japanese paper, and embroidered Prelude badging, underline Honda’s attention to craftsmanship and ownership pride.

Form Meets Function

While the Prelude is very much a driver’s car, Honda hasn’t forgotten practicality. The low-slung coupe manages to deliver genuine usability thanks to a tailgate-style boot with a wide opening, a clever underfloor storage space, and folding rear seats for added versatility. Hooks for grocery bags? They’re in there too.

It’s a coupe that knows life doesn’t pause between Sunday morning sprints and weekday errands, and it’s engineered to handle both.

A Name That Mattered — And Still Does

From 1978 to the early 2000s, the Prelude carved out a name for itself as a forward-thinking, tech-laden front-wheel-drive sports coupe. From pioneering Japan’s first in-car electric sunroof to introducing four-wheel steering and early ABS, it was always a few steps ahead of its time.

Now, 24 years since the last generation rolled off the production line, the Prelude returns as a hybrid, proudly stepping into a new electrified era, without forgetting where it came from.