ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Resurrecting the Prelude is a loaded proposition. It’s a heady name that carries the weight of history and expectations of a fan base that has specific needs. After a quarter-century absence, Honda takes a measured approach with the 2026 model, capturing some of the original’s magic while charting a new path for the Prelude.
Approaching my gorgeous White Frost Pearl (a new color for Honda) test model on a sunny fall afternoon, I feel a sense of anticipation and curiosity. The 2026 Prelude is definitely a looker. You can’t go wrong with a tear-drop silhouette and subtle curves. The front end almost smiles, and Honda went futuristic with the headlights up front and a modest spoiler in back. Blue brake calipers peak out behind the starfish-shaped wheels. The roof and mirror caps are black, completing a design that gets the details right.
My walk-around complete, I slip into the driver’s seat, which is comfortably bolstered, grab the big, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and get my bearings. Basic Honda, with a few design flourishes like blue stitching and some understated houndstooth patterns on the seats (think more Windows wallpaper than Bear Bryant’s hat). The two-tone blue and white interior is exactly what I would select. There are alloy paddle shifters, a nine-inch color touchscreen, and a 10.2-inch digital driver cluster. The 2+2 setup is tight, yet not cramped…