- 6th Generation Prelude began arriving at U.S. dealers this week
- The hybrid-electric Prelude shares key powertrain components with the Civic Hybrid – last year’s North American Car of the Year™ winner -- as well as chassis components from the legendary Civic Type R
The fun-to-drive 2026 Honda Prelude hybrid-electric sports coupe today was named a finalist for the prestigious 2026 North American Car of the Year™ award. The North American jury of automotive journalists announced the finalists for its annual awards at an event during the Los Angeles Auto Show this morning. The winners will be announced during a ceremony in Detroit on Jan. 14, 2026.
"We are honored to have our all-new Honda Prelude as a finalist for the North American Car of the Year™ award – recognition that the return of the Honda Prelude as a hybrid-electric sports coupe demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and innovative products to our customers," said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales. "As hybrid-electric sales continue to grow, the new Prelude hybrid sports coupe is a perfectly timed addition to the Honda lineup, with hybrid-electric models now representing about one-third of Honda sales thanks to the success of the Civic hybrid, Accord hybrid and CR-V hybrid."
The 2026 Honda Prelude is inspired by fun-to-drive performance, legacy of innovation and dynamic styling of earlier generations of the sports coupe. The first-ever electrified Prelude advances the "joy of driving" for a new generation of buyers, as the first model to pair the award-winning Honda two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain with high-performance chassis hardware from the iconic Civic Type R.
Moreover, the new 6th-generation Prelude marks the debut of Honda S+ Shift, an innovative new drive mode that simulates a performance transmission for the ultimate electrified Honda driving experience, including virtual rev-matched downshifts and gear holding, plus enhanced engine sounds to increase driver feel and connection with the vehicle.
Prelude offers precise steering, responsive handling and fun-to-drive feel to deliver an engaging grand touring experience, while remaining comfortable for everyday driving.
A Honda model has received a North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year™ award five times in the past 10 years, including the Honda Civic (2016), Honda Ridgeline (2017), Honda Accord (2018), Honda Civic (2022) and Honda Civic hybrid (2025).
The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year™ awards honor excellence in innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, driver satisfaction and value. Initiated in 1994, they are judged by 50 professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who work for independent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and industry websites.
Learn more about the Honda Prelude here.
About Honda
Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic, Prelude and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport, Prologue and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. The Honda electrified vehicle lineup, representing more than a quarter of total sales in 2024, includes the all-electric Prologue SUV, hybrid-electric Accord, CR-V, Civic, Prelude, and the fuel-cell-electric CR-V e:FCEV.
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for over 40 years and currently operates eight major auto manufacturing facilities in America. In 2024, more than 99% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, with about 60% made in America, using domestic and globally made parts.
More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook.
Important Notice
Although the information included in this press release is accurate as of the date of publication, this information is subject to change at any time without notice. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. assumes no responsibility for updating this information.
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