The New Honda Prelude: A Huge Mistake?

Get 20% off Car Vertical using code Carwow: https://bit.ly/Carwow-Car-Vertical Mat’s got his hands on one of the most highly anticipated comeback cars of the decade - the all-new Honda Prelude! He’s been lucky enough to drive some incredible Japanese sports cars over the past few years. From the legendary hybrid NSX through to the ultra-focused Civic Type R, Mat has had his hands on some of the best-handling cars in the world. But how does Honda's revived 1990s icon stack up in the modern era? Let’s start with a look at the stats. Starting with the engine, it’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid setup that produces 180hp and 315Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT transmission, but Honda has fitted a clever new 'S+ Shift' system that simulates an 8-speed gearbox with virtual rev-matching! Because it's carrying a battery, the car weighs approximately 1,480kg. In terms of value, it has a starting price of around £41,000! But it’s not just a standard eco-box underneath. Honda has actually borrowed some serious hardware directly from the Civic Type R! The Prelude features the exact same dual-axis front suspension to eliminate torque steer, specially tuned adaptive dampers, and a set of massive 4-piston Brembo brakes hiding behind 19-inch alloys. Inside, the Prelude features a driver-focused 2+2 layout. It comes loaded with a 9-inch infotainment screen, heavily bolstered sports seats, and a sporty D-shaped steering wheel. Oh, and the rear seats fold down so you can actually fit a decent amount of luggage in the back! So it looks fantastic, but can a 180hp hybrid genuinely deliver the thrills we expect from a sports coupe? And is it a worthy successor to the legendary Prelude name? You’ll need to stick with Mat to see for yourself! We’d like to say a huge thank you to Craig for lending us his 1999 Prelude for this review. Craig: https://www.instagram.com/hehe.car.go.slow/ Change your car with Carwow: https://bit.ly/Change-Your-Car-1703 Car Vertical: https://bit.ly/Carwow-Car-Vertical GR86 review: https://bit.ly/GR86-Review-1703 Chapters 0:00 - Intro: The Legend Returns 0:52 - Exterior Design & Walkaround 3:21 - New Prelude Interior Tour & Quality 7:35 - Classic Prelude Exterior Comparison 11:26 - Retro Interior: 90s vs Modern 13:50 - Engine Specs & Hybrid Powertrain 15:50 - 0-60 MPH & 1/4 Mile Performance Test 18:21 - Braking Distance & Safety Test 19:26 - Price & Value for Money 21:57 - Rear Seats & Boot Space 26:09 - Storage & Daily Practicality 27:19 - Screen & Infotainment Tech Review 28:43 - Driving Impressions: Handling & Speed 32:08 - Real World Fuel Economy & Daily Living 37:37 - Final Verdict: Is it worth it?

Added 13 Jul 2026