Honda Prelude returns to Australia after 25 years priced from $65,000
The sixth-generation 2026 Honda Prelude is back on Australian roads with a single hybrid variant, Civic Type R hardware and a $65,000 driveaway price tag that puts it above the GR86 and BRZ.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- 2026 Honda Prelude returns to Australia priced from $65,000 driveaway
- Hybrid coupe uses Civic Type R suspension, brakes and e:HEV powertrain
- One grade, five colours, orders open now with deliveries coming soon
The 2026 Honda Prelude is back. Honda Australia has confirmed the iconic coupe will return to local showrooms for the first time since 2001, carrying a $65,000 driveaway price and a single hybrid variant built on bones borrowed from the Civic Type R.
It's a significant moment for Honda in Australia, and a nameplate many thought was gone for good.
2026 Honda Prelude specs and performance
Power comes from the same 2.0-litre e:HEV petrol-electric system used in the Civic, CR-V and ZR-V, producing 147kW and 315Nm combined. Drive goes to the front wheels via Honda's e-CVT, paired with a new feature called S+ Shift - software that simulates the feel of gear changes by briefly cutting torque on upshifts and blipping on downshifts, with cabin sound amplification to match.
It's clever, if unconventional. Whether it satisfies the driver's car faithful remains to be seen.
Underneath, the Prelude borrows the Civic Type R's dual-axis front suspension and four-piston Brembo front brakes - hardware designed to manage significantly more power in that car. Adaptive dampers, 19-inch alloys and wider wheel tracks round out the chassis package.
| Spec | Detail |
| Powertrain | 2.0-litre e:HEV hybrid (petrol + 2 electric motors) |
| Power | 147kW |
| Torque | 315Nm |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | e-CVT with S+ Shift |
| Wheels | 19-inch alloy |
| Brakes | Brembo front (4-piston) |
2026 Honda Prelude pricing
A single variant, a single price. The Prelude is sold under Honda's One Price Promise agency model, meaning no dealer negotiation.
| Variant | Price |
| Prelude e:HEV | $65,000 driveaway |
All five exterior colours are included at no extra cost.
That pricing puts it well above the Toyota GR86 (from around $44,000 plus on-roads) and Subaru BRZ (from around $48,000 plus on-roads), though both are rear-wheel-drive alternatives. It also undercuts the Nissan Z ($76,160 before on-roads) and Ford Mustang EcoBoost ($72,990 before on-roads).
Inside, expect a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, leather and Alcantara sports seats and an eight-speaker Bose stereo. Full Australian spec is yet to be confirmed.
Ownership benefits include a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five services capped at $199 each.
Orders are open now with first deliveries due shortly. If you've been waiting 25 years for a new Prelude, the wait is almost over - just be prepared to pay a premium for the badge and the Type R hardware underneath it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the 2026 Honda Prelude cost in Australia?
The 2026 Honda Prelude is priced at $65,000 driveaway in a single variant, with all five colours included at no extra cost.
What engine does the 2026 Honda Prelude have?
It uses Honda's 2.0-litre e:HEV petrol-electric hybrid system producing 147kW and 315Nm, paired with an e-CVT transmission featuring simulated gear-shift technology called S+ Shift.
When does the 2026 Honda Prelude go on sale in Australia?
Orders are open now. Honda Australia has confirmed deliveries will begin shortly, with the Prelude revealed at the 2026 Melbourne Motor Show.
