by Launch of the New Honda Prelude 2026 Advertising Campaign
Honda has introduced a new advertising campaign for the 2026 Prelude model, voiced by the famous actor John Cena. The campaign is named “Engineered for Fun” and focuses on demonstrating the pleasure of driving the brand’s cars. The commercial premiered during an NBA basketball game broadcast.
Price and Competitors
The Prelude is already arriving at dealerships with a starting price of $42,000, excluding an additional $1,195 destination fee. This amount significantly exceeds the cost of such powerful competitors as the Ford Mustang, Toyota GR86, and Subaru BRZ. Furthermore, the hybrid coupe is only a few thousand dollars cheaper than the more powerful 315-horsepower Civic Type R version.
Sales Challenges and Emphasis on Pleasure
The high price may complicate Prelude sales; however, Honda actively strives to emphasize its advantages. The advertisement uses facial expression analysis technology to show the driver’s emotions while operating the car. Indicators of joy, excitement, and euphoria are visualized in the commercial, which starts calmly but gradually gains momentum.
Technical Specifications and Equipment
The Prelude is equipped with a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, providing a combined output of 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Among the key technical features are adaptive dampers, Brembo front brakes, and a suspension borrowed from the Civic Type R.
Despite the high cost, the car is offered in a single trim with rich equipment: heated leather sport seats, wireless smartphone charging, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch multimedia system, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance systems.
Participation of Other Models and John Cena’s Comment
In addition to the Prelude, other Honda models appear in the advertisement, such as the CRF450RX motorcycle, the Talon 1000R buggy, the Passport TrailSport SUV, and the 0 Series Saloon prototype. John Cena, who became the voice of the campaign, shared his impressions:
Yes, it’s as fun as it looks. Happy to drive the new Prelude and be the voice of Honda.
It is worth noting that Honda has bet on the emotional aspect of driving, trying to compensate for the Prelude’s high price with its technological advantages and driving pleasure. This could become a key factor for attracting buyers who value not only power but also comfort and innovation. Furthermore, the use of public figures like John Cena helps to expand the audience and increase the model’s recognition.
