by Price Shock in the UK
Honda is being quite cautious about disclosing the price of the new Prelude in the United States, but it has just announced the cost for the front-wheel-drive hybrid version in the UK, and this is not good news for those hoping for an affordable sports coupe.
In fact, the revived Prelude finds itself in the premium segment, having the same starting price as the base model BMW 220i Coupe.
We asked Honda if the Prelude will really start at $38,000
The Prelude was presented in a single trim for the UK. Known as the Advance, this model starts at £39,595 (equivalent to $52,055 at the current exchange rate), or £40,995 ($53,895) including taxes and fees.
While this is significantly cheaper than the Civic Type R, which started at £51,905 ($68,238) before it was discontinued this year, the Prelude cannot by any means be considered a bargain. Quite the opposite.
Comparison with Competitors
UK buyers interested in the new Prelude must somehow justify its higher price compared to the base 2-Series. The 2-Series sells around 3,000 units annually in the UK and, while not a hybrid, can be considered the closest spiritual competitor to the Prelude, without being a direct analog.
Currently, the base BMW 220i M Sport Coupe is available from £40,415 ($53,100) including taxes and fees.
Undoubtedly, the German coupe, manufactured in Mexico, is not as attractive as the Honda, but it has a bit more power — 184 hp and uses a traditional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7.5 seconds.
Unlike the Prelude’s complex hybrid system with a synthetic S+ Shift gearbox that drives the front wheels, the BMW also sends power to the rear wheels.
Performance Characteristics
Interestingly, the European Prelude has lower specifications than the North American model: 181 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque, compared to 200 hp in the US version with the same torque.
The new Prelude accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds with launch control, but still falls short of the Civic
How significant the difference will be due to the missing 19 horsepower is not yet known, but on paper, the European car accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, which is approximately 0.7 seconds slower than the BMW, according to the manufacturer’s data.
A True Successor?
Given its price positioning, it can be assumed that the 2026 Prelude will not become popular in the UK. Time will tell if it is worthy of its memorable predecessors, but at least it has several advantages.
The most significant is that Honda equipped the Prelude with suspension components similar to those of the Civic Type R, so it should handle well on the road. It also has adaptive dampers and an Agile Handling Assist function, providing quick steering response and “improved vehicle stability.” Honda also promises that the special Brembo brakes will provide “unsurpassed braking power and pedal feel.”
As previously reported, Honda has not yet confirmed prices for the new Prelude in the US. It is known that it will be positioned between the Civic Sport Touring at $32,295 and the Civic Type R at $45,895, suggesting its price could range between $38,000 and $42,000.
Honda’s pricing strategy for the Prelude raises questions about its competitiveness in the European market, where buyers are increasingly focusing on efficiency and value in the compact coupe segment. The differences in power between regions and the emphasis on dynamic qualities may determine whether this model can revive the legacy of its name or will remain a niche offering.
