2026 Honda Prelude Consumer Reviews

Prelude is Still a Different Mix

I owned an 88 Prelude Si for most of the 80s and loved that car. It was a different mix of innovation, quality, comfort, and fun than the competition. Never as fast as the Mustangs or turbos like the Eclipse but still more expensive. The numbers on paper never made sense then or now. Now that the kids are grown and I needed a new car, I test-drove a new Prelude in December and immediately bought one from a dealership not trying to mark it up. This version of the Prelude is also a unique mix of fun, quality, and efficiency. I have put 1500 miles of commuting on it over the last month and a half and like it more every day. Mileage – every fill-up has been right around the 44mpg estimate, I’ve checked the trip computer with a calculator. City can be much higher, over 50 at times. Highway can be much lower if you are going over 65. It averages out if you have a mixed commute like me. Driving – it does not feel slow at all. Acceleration is so smooth you just arrive at the speed you want with no fuss. The brakes are the best I’ve ever seen. Handling is fantastic and finding a winding country road is a treat. Try it if you want a fun commuter car. Skip it if you want a dragster or track car.