Honda brings back the iconic Prelude nameplate to the US and Canada with a modern touch
Honda’s iconic nameplate is making a comeback in the US and Canada. The 2025 Honda Prelude has been officially announced by Honda and it is in fact returning to the American market. The sixth-generation 2025 Prelude is part of Honda’s electrification strategy. The Prelude will be launched as a sports hybrid-electric coupe in the North American market in late 2025.
The hybrid-electric Honda Prelude Concept was unveiled in North America at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, following its world premiere at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. In it’s press release, Honda emphasized that:
“Prelude will advance the “joy of driving” into the electrified future with Honda’s award-winning two-motor hybrid powertrain“
Signifying Honda’s commitment to it’s electrification goals.
What is Honda’s Electrification Strategy?
Honda has set a global objective to achieve carbon neutrality across all its products and corporate activities by 2050. As part of this goal, the company aims for battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles to make up 100% of its vehicle sales by 2040. The upcoming Prelude is a part of this very initiative. Debuted in 1999, Honda Insight was the first car in the US with hybrid-electric technology.
Honda’s S+ Shift Technology. What is it?
Honda’s S+ Shift is an advanced driving technology that makes gear shifts quicker and more responsive. It is said to enhance the immediate feedback when accelerating, aligns downshifts with braking for better communication between car and driver, and optimizes power from the hybrid engine, battery, and regenerative braking for smoother acceleration.
The 2026 Prelude will be Honda’s first car to boast their all new S+ Shift technology.
Image source: Honda
2025 Honda Prelude Pricing in US and Canada
The 2025 Honda Prelude‘s pricing is expected to be around $31,000 for the entry-level trim. As you move up the trims, the price climbs, bringing more features and power.
2025 Honda Prelude Horsepower & Torque Figures
The 2025 Honda Prelude will likely feature a hybrid powertrain, delivering approximately 200 horsepower through a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with dual electric motors.
A Glance Back at Last Honda Prelude in the US
The final generation of the Honda Prelude was available in the U.S. market from 1997 until 2001. It featured a 2.2-liter inline-4 engine, generating 195 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It also included four-wheel independent suspension.
